FUNDRAISING | JOIN US IN BRINGING THIS FILM OVER THE FINISH LINE

We are in the final stretch of raising funds to complete this documentary and are accepting tax-deductible contributions from individuals and foundations. For information about available corporate sponsorship opportunities, please contact Executive Producer, Alicia Albee: 917.353.0575

The International Documentary Association (IDA), a 501(c)3 serves as a crowdsourcing fundraising site for this film. To make a tax deductible donation, please click the link below and follow the instructions. For any other questions please contact Executive Producer, Alicia Albee: 917.353.0575 or the IDA directly at: 213. 232.1660

TO make a tax deductible DONATion, PLEASE CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW 

A note from Devon, the film’s director:

My grandmother, Nina Bremer began photographing modern homes in the late 1940’s –at first it was out of admiration for these avant-garde designs, but within just a few decades, her photographs would memorialize these homes and the history of the powerful modern movement in New Canaan.

Inspired by Nina who was an artist and a true New Canaan “modernist”, I began this documentary almost 20 years ago to carry on this legacy. This film is a work of passion, and an homage to my family as well as the artists and intellectuals, risk takers, and friends who made New Canaan modern.

I hope the film will give back both by sharing this never-before-told story on-screen, but also by preserving the work of the architects and designers who launched a design revolution from my hometown of New Canaan, CT.

 JOHNSON | BREUER | NOYES | GORES | JOHANSEN

OVERVIEW

“The Harvard 5: a story of love, architecture, and a design revolution” documentary film tells the little-known story of five ground-breaking architects and designers who ignited a modern design revolution from the least likely place –colonial New Canaan, CT. “The Harvard Five” as they became known–Philip Johnson, John Johansen, Landis Gores, Eliot Noyes, and Marcel Breuer– were fueled by a sense of hope and optimism in the wake of WWII, but their modern ideals and avant-garde designs were met with shock by the locals in this traditional town which did not understand these pioneers –or their ”Kleenex box” houses.

Nevertheless, the Harvard 5 found New Canaan’s wooded, rolling hills to be the perfect canvas for experimentation with Bauhaus ideals in design and architecture. From there, they introduced an intellectual movement that changed the landscape of this New England community forever and would resonate worldwide.

Through interviews with the spouses, family, clients, and biographers of The Harvard 5, this film weaves together the fascinating personal and professional stories of these architects and designers whose risk-taking would define American Modernism in the 20th–century.

Never-before-seen interviews with John Johansen, the last of the Harvard 5; Pam Gores, wife of Landis; Jens Risom, world-renown furniture designer; John Black Lee, “the 6th” of the Harvard 5; Fred Noyes, son of Eliot; Craig Bassam and Scott Fellows of BassamFellows; Hilary Lewis, Philip Johnson expert and biographer, and more.    

THE CHARACTERS

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. 

HILARY LEWIS

Preeminent Philip Johnson biographer and scholar; former Chief Curator & Creative Director at The Glass House, a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and residence of eminent architect Philip Johnson. Ms. Lewis brings the historical perspective on and the impact of The Harvard 5 in New Canaan. Additional themes: The influence of Philip Johnson in New Canaan and on the worldwide scale, past to present; on the importance of urban planning, history of architecture, and design and architecture in the 21st century.  She also brings her own personal stories of working so closely together with Johnson as his biographer and creative collaborator.

Bruce Redman Becker

Architect and developer of Hotel Marcel, first Passive House-certified hotel in the country; Bruce was raised in a New Canaan mid-century Modern home designed by Hugh Smallen and built in the 60’s. Today, as an architect and developer, Mr. Becker has pledged to design and build only the most passive structures today in keeping with his deep concern for the health of our planet and our responsiblity to pay attention to it.

Craig Bassam and Scott Fellows of BassamFellows

BassamFellows is a Furniture & Design House dedicated to Modernism, craftsmanship and beauty. Interviewed in their restored Philip Johnson designed HQ, this design team represents the now and the future of both preservation of mid-century modern design and the way in which the design fundamentals of the 20th century influence their designs for today.

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.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR