The Glass House, Philip Johnson’s boxy all-glass residence located on an idyllic 49-acre property in New Canaan, Connecticut has named Kirsten Reoch, as its fourth executive director. She replaces Greg Sages, who has led the historic property for the last eight years, with a focus on “integrating the site into the fabric of New Canaan.” Sages announced in March he would be stepping down from the role, with a strategic plan he helped develop in place though the end of the year, Sages said in the New Canannite, “it’s a good point to transition, to bring in a new executive director and see what their vision is for the site.”
The Glass House built by Johnson in 1949 is situated on a campus containing 14 structures and a number of temporary and permanent exhibitions and art collections including 20th-century paintings and sculptures. The property is overseen by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Reoch enters into the new role as no stranger to overseeing historic properties. For over 25 years she served as the Director of Capital Planning, Preservation, and Institutional Relations for the Park Avenue Armory, a Manhattan landmark used as an art and performance venue. In this role she managed over $165 million in construction projects with conservation and design teams, while also conducting the necessary research for the Armory projects, this involved architecture and military research. Additionally, for 17 years she curated The Malkin Lecture Series, a presentation of talks on the influence of Park Avenue Armory. Reoch was also previously the Senior Project Coordinator for The Walt Disney Company’s restoration of the New Amsterdam Theatre. Reoch has also worked for several community preservation nonprofits including Landmark West! and the DC Preservation League. This will not be Reoch’s first time working with the National Trust, she started her historic preservation career at another of National Trust site, the Decatur House.
“I am delighted to welcome Kirsten Reoch as the next Executive Director of The Glass House. Her work at the Park Avenue Armory, where she has played a central role in restoring one of New York’s great works of architecture and helping it to become one of the city’s most exciting arts venues, underscores her broad range of skills. said Paul Goldberger, Chair of the Glass House Advisory Board, in a press release. “We look forward to having her warmth, her sharp critical insights, and her strong administrative leadership as The Glass House takes on the challenges of restoring its Philip Johnson buildings and continuing its role as an essential place not just in the Town of New Canaan, but in the architecture and art community across the world,”
Reoch will assume her new position with The Glass House on September 11.
