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S ANAA's philosophy behind the design of Grace Farms was to underscore the importance of bringing nature indoors. In the most literal sense, SANAA de- signed a structure that hugs the rolling hills and beautifully ac- centuates the curves of the natu- ral landscape. After construction, the forms that distinguished Grace Farms were aptly named the River Building. During twilight hours, the sun's reflection glows against the roof of the building to reveal a river gliding through the landscape. Before the opening of Grace Farms, SANAA was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2010 for its progressive vision. Grace Farms was the first project by SANAA to be completed in the United States. SANAA's design focuses on the valuable process of producing a space that seamlessly integrates into the land's terrain. Roughly 77 acres of the original property was retained as meadows, woods, wetlands, and ponds. The facility intuitively blends habitable space with nature. The designers wanted to create a continuous experience where someone approaching the volumes from the front could also see nature behind the structures through its spanning windows. Through its design, the structures are literally sprouted from the land's topography. From milling the trees onsite during construction to recycling the materials to produce furniture, every detail was used to its full potential. The success of SANAA's design is beholden to its culmination of materials and the influence of light. Starting with the incorporation of glass throughout the structure, Grace Farms allows light to evenly diffuse into every corner of each room. The transparency of the glass allows each space to display its unique conditions during the day and through the changing seasons. In its entirety, the glass bears a lot of influence on each room by allowing them to form their own identities. Each piece of glass was meticulously manufactured in England, sealed in Germany, shaped in Spain, then shipped to the United States for installation. The final product is a seamless envelope of spaces. Along with the River Building's exterior, its interiors are also designed with the intention of seeking LEED certification. Grace Farms is furnished throughout with high-efficiency mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and lighting systems. It is equipped with controllable LED lights throughout and utilizes daylight to its maximum capability. VUE ON DESIGN V U E N J . C O M 30

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