ABOUT THE FILM

OVERVIEW

“The Harvard 5” will tell the story of five of the most notable, mid-century modern architects who furthered the ideals, ingenuity, and intellect of the Bauhaus by experimenting, practicing, and building in post WWII New Canaan, CT. It will draw on one-of-a-kind interviews with those who worked with the Harvard 5, were married to them, were their children and grandchildren, their co-workers, students, clients and even present-day homeowners.

Stunning new footage both of New Canaan mid-century moderns and traditional, colonial New Canaan —combined with archival film footage and photographs— will tell the story of these remarkable men, their artistry, the challenges they faced, and why the town of New Canaan was like an open workshop, critical in their ability to experiment.

 JOHNSON | BREUER | NOYES | GORES | JOHANSEN

FUNDRAISING

We are in the heat of raising funds to allow us to complete & successfully market a feature documentary about these revolutionary architects and designers. 

We are able to give tax deductions for any money that is given towards the film’s budget through our partnership with the International Documentary Association (IDA), a 501(c)3.  Any individual or foundation interested in becoming a sponsor of this project can donate through the IDA to receive this tax deduction.  There are two ways to go about donating online or by mailing a check to the IDA.

TO DONATE ONLINE PLEASE CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW 

A Giving Back note from Devon, the film’s director, Devon Chivvis:

My Grandmother, Nina Bremer, began photographing these homes in the late 1940’s and willed her entire archive to the New Canaan Museum and Historical Society. In her spirit, I’ve pledged to donate all materials that we digitize for the film plus an entire copy of all the new footage —not just a copy of the completed film, but also of everything we’ll shoot— to the New Canaan Museum and Historical Society.

My desire is that this film will give back both by sharing this never-before-told story on-screen, but also by preserving the work of these men who —surrounded by their friends, colleagues, and families on the landscapes of New Canaan— who launched an incredible movement in modern history of the American arts. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY ASSOCIATION, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

TO DONATE BY CHECK, PLEASE BE SURE TO INDICATE THE FUNDS ARE FOR "THE HARVARD 5", including the Film ID (3076).

Checks should be sent to:
INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY ASSOCIATION
ATTN: Filmmaker Services (FOR "THE HARVARD 5")
3600 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1810
Los Angeles, CA 90010
USA

For any other questions please contact me at: 310.770.7435 or the IDA directly at: 213. 232.1660

THE CHARACTERS

WHO SURROUNDED THE HARVARD 5

John Johansen

A refined philosopher who eventually took his designs in a very different direction from the Bauhaus. Paints a first hand picture of New Canaan life in the 40’s and 50’s for the The Harvard 5 (“H5”), both professionally and personally – the social scene, the parties, the town. Provides original philosophy on what the H5 were doing in the mid-century and how it differs from architecture today.

Pam Gores

Wife of Landis Gores, she adds a devoted spouse’s perspective. Describes Landis’ relationship with Philip Johnson, the town outbreak of Polio and Landis’ infliction with the disease and also shares her personal memories of Landis - the man and the designer. One interview conducted at the Gores Pavillion in New Canaan, the other in their original Gores designed home.

John Black Lee

Worked for Noyes (among others) and is a modern architect himself. Provides a first hand account of how the H5 and friends were perceived in town. Explains his personal commitment to designing a residence to fit into the landscape and how mid-century modernists thought out of the box. Second interview conducted at the Glass House.

Fred Noyes

Son of Eliot Noyes, and an architect himself, provides clear picture of the thought process behind his father’s designs, stressing the Bauhaus mantra, “form follows function” and the need for every design to begin by analyzing the individual and expected functional end result. Fred also paints an intimate picture of Eliot Noyes, the man, the father, the husband. 

Gordon Bruce

Eliot Noyes biographer and former employee in design sector. Gordon provides background information on the Harvard Graduate School of Design, modernism, modern architecture, industrial design, and the process of creating design based on functionality that he learned by working in the Noyes offices.

Jens Risom

Renowned New Canaan based modern furniture designer, credited with designing the first Knoll chair. Answers the question of why furniture design also took a turn in the mid 20th century and why modern furniture fit with modern architecture. Also talks about what New Canaan was like in the early 40’s and 50’s. Second interview conducted at the Glass House.

Robert & Sirrka Damora

Famous photographer of moderns; modern architect. Talks about modern design and architecture and about photographing these houses that were so controversial.

Lyn Bremer Chivvis

Daughter of Paul and Nina Bremer, who commissioned Noyes to build the Bremer house in New Canaan on Windrow Lane. The Bremers also represented a ”modern” family. Lyn tells personal stories about her father’s closest friends, El Noyes and Lajko Breuer as well Jo Johansen, parties held by and attended by the “modernists”. Also describes decision and process of asking El Noyes to build her own residence in New Canaan, the Chivvis House on Wydendown Lane. Second Interview at the Glass House.

Alan Goldberg

New Canaan architect, partners with Eliot Noyes in architectural firm. Discussed idea that thought-out “design” is essence of modern architecture as well as continuum of architecture. Has many stories about working in the Noyes office AE/GENA in the 60’s and 70’s.

Eames Demetrios

Grandson of Charles and Ray Eames, groundbreaking modern furniture designers and filmmakers. Discussed importance of preservation of historic places and also the context within which “modernists” such as Harvard 5 were creating groundbreaking designs. Interviewed at The Glass House.

Pamela Valentine & Bill Mattessoni

Current owners of the Philip Johnson designed “Boissanas” house that they have restored. Discussed why they moved out of a New York City loft and into a modern house in New Canaan as well as what it’s like to live in a house of this nature and what it takes to keep it up and running!

Richard Bergman

New Canaan modern architect who worked with Eliot Noyes, John Johansen, and Victor Christ-Janer at differing times before starting his own firm. Recounts stories about the Harvard 5 and discusses the history of New Canaan, originally a town of shoemakers, and why the landscape, the location, and the topography were significant to the modernists.

Eugene & Rosanne Deserio

Longtime New Canaan residents who moved out of a colonial home and into the first John Black Lee designed house that is built into massive granite outcroppings on Laurel Road. Discussed the decision to move from traditional to modern and what they have gained from that decision.

Ruth Smithers

Longtime New Canaan resident and art lover who met Philip Johnson by cold calling him when she moved to town. Recounts many personal stories about Johnson and the “modern” culture within New Canaan and reflects on the many characters within the modern social scene. Attended the first Merce Cunningham performance at the Glass House as a guest of Johnson.

Joan Feick

Longtime owner of the Noyes designed “Arlt” house. Describes the challenge Noyes faced in designing the house for the Arlt family’s large painting and sculpture collection and what might happen to the house when she is gone.

Additional interviews will be conducted

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR