The Glass House in New Canaan, CT is Philip Johnson’s Icon of Modern Design

Nestled on a secluded promontory in New Canaan, CT, The Glass House by Philip Johnson is one of the most iconic residential designs in modern architecture. Completed in 1949, this 1,815-square-foot home is best understood as a pavilion for viewing the surrounding landscape, seamlessly blending structure and nature. Johnson lived in the Glass House from 1949 until his death in 2005, leaving behind a structure that embodies modernist innovation.

Invisible from the road, the Glass House sits atop a promontory, offering uninterrupted views of a pond and the surrounding woods. Measuring 55 feet long and 33 feet wide, the home is enclosed by four glass walls, each punctuated by a centrally located glass door that opens directly onto the landscape.

Johnson intended the home to be a transparent living space, where the environment outside is as much a part of the experience as the interior itself. He famously described the Glass House as having “very expensive wallpaper,” referring to the ever-changing scenery that serves as the home’s only true decoration. The surrounding landscape was carefully sculpted by Johnson and his longtime partner, David Whitney, with meticulously arranged trees, pathways, and sloping lawns designed to evoke classical 17th-century landscape paintings.

Although revolutionary in style, the Glass House follows a surprisingly traditional layout. Johnson referred to different zones within the open-plan, loft-like space as “rooms,” despite the absence of walls. The home consists of a living room, defined by a rug and a low central table, which serves as the visual anchor of the space. Nearby, the dining area is positioned near one of the glass doors. A compact and functional kitchen is tucked away, while the bedroom, separated by built-in walnut veneer storage cabinets, offers a degree of privacy within the otherwise open design. The only fully enclosed space is the bathroom, housed in a brick cylinder that acts as a central sculptural element. A freestanding fireplace in the hearth area adds warmth to the otherwise minimalist environment. Despite its modernist aesthetic, the organization of the home echoes that of a colonial residence, a detail Johnson himself noted.

Recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1997, The Glass House remains one of the most influential residential designs of the 20th century. Now managed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, it is open to the public for guided tours, offering visitors an intimate look at Johnson’s vision for modern living.