The Florence Griswold Museum—now evolving as FloGris—began as the home of Florence Griswold in Old Lyme. To support herself, she opened her house to artists drawn to the beauty of the surrounding landscape, especially the Lieutenant River. This community became the Old Lyme Art Colony, central to the development of Connecticut Impressionism.

Over time, the property grew into a leading museum of Connecticut art, with a mix of buildings used for exhibitions, education, and workshops. But as activity expanded, the campus evolved organically, and the overall visitor experience became less cohesive.

Our work began by recognizing that this scrappy, adaptive use of the space echoed Florence Griswold’s original spirit. Partnering with museum leadership and a team of planners and architects, we reimagined the site as a more unified and welcoming place.

The result is a renewed vision: FloGris as a gathering place for “The New Artist’s Way,” where art, nature, and curiosity come together. Rooted in the legacy of the Lyme Art Colony, the museum now invites people of all backgrounds to engage closely with Connecticut art—supported by a refreshed identity and a more integrated, accessible campus.