The Art House: RubiconSeven Transforms Derelict Post Office Depot in New Canaan, CT

NCC design students and judges for the Art House

Located near the New Canaan, CT rail station, the1940's Post Office Depot has stood closed and unused for decades. Imagine the possibilities for reusing a landmark shuttered for 60 years!

Benay's client RubiconSeven delivers unique land use development solutions that improve lives, improve the ecology and environment, and build a meaningful place that values both consumers and the community at large.

The Art House is a collaboration of RubiconSeven and the RubiconSeven Foundation to develop the cavernous space into a studio for established artists, who will work and teach art students from the region. 

The Art House recently invited design students from Norwalk Community College to create concepts for its sustainable, community-centered development. On March 14 students in NCC's Art, Architecture and Design program presented 25 designs, which emphasized multipurpose use along with environmentally friendly design. Key concerns are passive energy strategies and walkable integration with the surrounding New Canaan downtown.

The judges included New Canaan development officials as well as academics. They awarded honors based on historical sensitivity, an understanding of life, safety and building code concepts, as well as architecture and land use principles.

The top four winners of the NCC student competition were Dominika Fronckiewicz, Tetyana Fen, Aliaksandr Melko and Wonsun Oh. Congratulations!

According to RubiconSeven Principal Ted Bonner, NCC students produced outstanding ideas for this ground-breaking project. The participation of local students epitomizes the community-centered spirit of The Art House.  For details, visit arthousenc.org and facebook.com/arthousenc.

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