Fall 2022: Library Building Update

The new Library is nearing its final phases of construction and Gillian Zinser is on the ground, bringing us the latest building updates each month. Gillian is the Project Manager at Turner Construction — responsible for managing the building of the NEW New Canaan Library. The construction team has made A LOT of progress since her summer update. Here’s what she shared:

So much has happened since the summer building update — what are the latest highlights?

So we’ve added permanent power, tied in the water supply, and we’re progressing nicely with the exterior stonework. We have also installed curtain wall glass at the southwest corner of the Children’s Library. Finishing touches are being put on the upper level, including installing drywall, light fixtures, and the ceiling grid. We started installing tracks for panel partitions that will serve as room dividers, creating flexible room sizes for the Auditorium and the program rooms. Additionally, elevator installation has begun which is going to make the Library accessible to all.

The Glass House by Philip Johnson

The Noyes House by Eliot Noyes

What make this building unique?

One of the unique (and awesome!) things about this building is that it pays homage to New Canaan native architects, Philip Johnson and Eliot Noyes. The floor-to-ceiling glass that floods the space with light is a direct nod to Johnson's Glass House, and the stone work on the interior and exterior of the building is inspired by the Noyes House. Johnson and Noyes were members of a group of young architects known as the Harvard Five who settled in New Canaan in the 1940s. Their work launched the mid-century modern movement that was so influential from the 1940s to 1960s and continues to inspire architecture to this day! We have installed skylights above the living room that will bring more daylight into the space, contributing to the energy efficiency and giving a natural glow. There will also be some pretty cool cone-shaped skylights in the Children’s Library, just flooding the space with natural light. Additionally, the building showcases some Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel (AESS) as part of the aesthetic. The interplay between materials creates a warm, welcoming space that acknowledges the past and looks ahead to the future.

What role has environmental sustainability played in this project?

Every decision — from design to material selection — has considered the human impact on the environment, today and in the future. From optimized daylight to efficient heating and cooling systems to solar energy systems, sustainability has been a major focus of this project. Some of the building’s primary energy and resource conservation strategies include renewable energy generation; state-of-the-art electric heat pumps and energy recovery systems; locally sourced materials; daylight-capturing optimization strategies; and high-performance, bird-friendly glazing. Together, these features reduce the Library’s energy consumption by up to 80% from the baseline average for this climate region while ensuring a healthier, more comfortable environment for Library visitors and staff members.

Can you walk us through the countdown to opening?

The next steps are really just completing the little milestones along the way, like finishing the floors and installing the elevator. Today, we have over 80 people on site working to get us toward our goal, including plumbers, masons, sheet metal installers, and a variety of electricians. We expect the number of people on the work site to grow to over 100 in the coming months as we make our way to opening day!