SHAPED BY WIND + WATER
JAMESTOWN, RHODE ISLAND
2023 RIASLA Merit Award, Large Scale Built ProjectThis peaceful, contemporary design is influenced by the site’s unique coastal character, sustainable practices, and the clients’ love of the sea and open space. Located on Conanicut Island’s north end, the breezy, this eastern-sloping 4.6-acre site came with many challenges unique to coastal Rhode Island properties.
Granite walls with bluestone paved terraces and walkways respond to the residence’s traditional formal architecture and are designed to provide spaces for privacy and entertaining.
Entering the property at the natural cedar gate, the drive meanders down hill through the property. Passing by grassy meadows, a croquet court, and a grove of native grey birch, it arrives at the house’s gracious Parking Court. The sweeping meadows are scaled and shaped to balance the groves of trees and views of The Bay.
The designer added half an acre of resilient trees, shrubs, perennials and grasses. Mowed lawn areas were minimized in favor of low-mow meadows and no-mow grasses. This results in durable landscape construction that addresses the site’s challenges with sustainable practices and enhances the site’s virtues with elegant design.
The long graceful downhill to the bay required a designed management solution for stormwater runoff and erosion control. Exposure to windy coastal marine conditions and the spectacular view of Narragansett Bay dictated careful thought to how spaces and sight lines were defined. Sensitive coastal buffer areas, water management, and existing upland groves of mature trees predicated a planting plan dominated by native species.
The views widen and narrow throughout the landscape leading down to the native planting buffer before the rocky tidal edge.
A mown walking path weaves through trees and high grasses to create an engaging loop throughout the property.
The owners — who have a passion for sailing and open, wild spaces — prioritized being able to interact with the property’s outdoor spaces, providing habitat for wildlife, water conservation, creating wide-open spaces, and maintaining view corridors to The Bay.
ARCHITECT
Burgin Lambert Architects
CONTRACTOR
CP Construction
LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR
Landscape Creations RI
POOL CONTRACTOR
Environmental Pools
PHOTOGRAPHER
Anthony Crisafulli Photography