Website Design & Development: Philip Johnson Glass House
Top Line Result: Website showcases an architectural icon and raises funds to preserve American modern architecture
Situational Analysis
Philip Johnson’s personal retreat and landmark home in New Canaan, CT opened to the public amidst unprecedented interest. The first season of tours sold out within a matter of days and media interest swelled – overwhelming the small media staff. The staff needed a solution to:
- Offer a personal and exclusive view of the property
- Manage the media requests for images and tours
- Drive membership in conjunction with the “Preserve the Modern” fundraiser program
Strategy & Solution
Creating a Sense of Place. OHO Interactive launched version 2.0 of the Philip Johnson Glass House in the fall of 2007. The new site includes enhanced dynamic elements to showcase the property such as:
- A Flash slideshow of the property on the homepage
- A Flash video exhibit that replicated the feel of the video wall in the visitor’s center
These elements were built from existing materials uncovered during the discovery phase, and these interactive elements offered website visitors access to explore the intimate, personal side of the Glass House and Mr. Johnson's life.
Driving Membership. Since the property is being used to spearhead a membership campaign by the National Trust for Historic Preservation to “Preserve the Modern,” in the 2.0 version of the site OHO worked closely with the marketing staff to develop the message, the presentation, and the offer for this section of the site.
Web 2.0 AJAX Features. From a technical perspective, the site leverages Web 2.0 programming to create a transparent look without the cumbersome use of Flash used in the 1.0 version. Our selection and application of technology accomplishes two purposes: it maintains the brand image, and it improves the back-end administration of the site.
Content and Media Management Software. Like many arts organizations, the Glass House has limited staff. OHO's redesign allows the staff to accomplish more with the site given their existing resources and time. The site is built on a content management system to allow staff to keep the site up-to-date without dedicated IT resources. The site includes a media engagement tool for posting press releases and lightboxes of high-resolution images, with a press only section. These tools were facilitate getting materials to the press efficiently for the single staff member who handles these inquiries.
Fulfilling the Wishes of Mr. Johnson
The site was also a work of personal passion for OHO Interactive Chief Creative Officer Jason Smith who grew up in New Canaan, and was personally yelled at by Mr. Johnson for peeking over the stone wall to catch a glimpse of the Glass House when he was 15.
In later years, Mr. Johnson was more encouraging, inscribing a copy of the 1992 “The Glass House” with the hopeful words: “To Jason – With best wishes in graphic design!”
