Jamestown, Rhode Island Light House Jamestown, Rhode Island was first established in 1678 by the Massachusetts Bay Company on Conanicut Island, the second largest island in the Narragansett Bay. Its rich and long history is well reflected in the community’s architecture. From the modest early 17th-century dwellings and grand 19th-century shingle style summer homes, to elegant contemporary structures, the island’s buildings tell a story of settlement, transformation, and enduring beauty of an enclave that has always seen itself as a special place. The earliest European settlers in Jamestown, wh ..read more

Aerial View of Hammersmith Farm (Newport, Rhode Island) Hammersmith Farm is a sprawling estate in Newport, Rhode Island, steeped in history and anchored by a magnificent Victorian Era mansion. It embodies the Gilded Age, an era of architectural grandeur and societal prominence for Newport. It has additional historical significance as a childhood haven for Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy and the part-time “Summer Whitehouse” during the Kennedy admiration. Front of Hammersmith Farm (Newport, RI) The land upon which Hammersmith Farm rests traces its origins back to the 17th century. William Brenton ..read more

East View Before & After of Past Project (Newport, Rhode Island) There is a difference between “Architecture” and “Building.” Architecture is an art form that aspires to create an experience and impact the imagination and mindset of the user whereas building is simply the enclosing of space for a purely functional purpose. Think of the difference between a 90-minute Academy Award-winning movie and 90 minutes of security tape footage. They are similar in many ways but are diametric opposites in other ways. Aerial View of Levittown, New York Because both architecture and buildings are ofte ..read more

Charles H. Baldwin House (Newport, Rhode Island) In previous articles, we have discussed many buildings in Newport, Rhode Island that have been listed among the 2500 National Historic Landmarks (NHLs) in the United States. One level below that esteemed honor are structures and objects that have been found worthy of being listed on the “National Register of Historic Places” (NRHPs), of which 80,000 or so exist in the United States, with more being added all the time. Charles H. Baldwin House in 1933 (Newport, Rhode Island) (Image from National Register of Historic Places) Newport is blessed w ..read more

Watts-Sherman House The William Watts-Sherman House is an architectural landmark set amongst the opulent mansions of Newport, Rhode Island. It was designed from 1875-76 by noted architect Henry Hobson Richardson, and although it is a large and gracious home, it is more noted for its design innovation than grandeur. The house holds a significant place in American architectural history, heralding the dawn of the Shingle Style and influencing succeeding generations of architects. Photograph – At Construction It is an unusual style house for Richardson who was generally known for his heavy mason ..read more

 Isaac Bell House While the Isaac Bell House is a relatively modest building compared to the opulent mansions of Bellevue Avenue in Newport, Rhode Island which surround it, its historical significance is far greater than its size. This structure, originally called “Edna Villa”, was designed and built for the investor and cotton broker Isaac Bell Jr. by the firm of McKim Mead and White between 1881 and 1883. This firm, which was to become the largest and most successful firm of its era, had completed the design for the Newport Casino in 1880 for James Gordon Bennet, Bell’s brother-in-law ..read more

Carriage House Render (Newport, RI) As part of our ongoing study of the Affordable Housing shortage in Rhode Island, we will examine the current status of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) within the state. ADUs, also known as “granny flats” or in-law apartments, are gaining traction as a potential solution to Rhode Island’s ongoing housing shortage, although the state’s journey towards ADU legislation has been one of gradual progress, marked by intermittent setbacks, on the way towards wider adoption. Types of ADU’s The concept of ADUs isn’t new in Rhode Island. Following the devastating 1938 ..read more

Original Condition Axon (Newport, RI) For an ever-increasing percentage of Americans, the dream of safe, affordable housing remains elusive and the situation in Rhode Island is even more challenging than most places. To understand the current landscape, it is helpful to review the history and various types of affordable housing programs available. Existing Condition Photos of a Current Project ( Newport, RI) The Great Depression (1929-1940) exposed the dire need for affordable housing, leading to the creation of the National Housing Act of 1937. This act established the Federal Housing Admin ..read more

Financing A Project Diagram Let me preface this article by stating I am an architect and not an accountant or a finance professional, but without a proper financial foundation for a project, it cannot happen. For this reason, we have come to understand the many approaches that people use to finance their design and construction projects.  Fixing up your home can be emotionally and financially rewarding. For many people, their home is both the biggest and best investment of their lifetimes. Adding to that investment carefully and intelligently is like buying more of a great stock when it i ..read more

555 Ocean Ave (Newport, Rhode Island) In previous Archi-TEXT articles it was discussed the value of an architect to help you navigate the various phases of the design of a new home or building or the renovation of an existing one, but what are the various phases of the architectural design process? There are generally 7 definable phases: The first step is “pre-design.” This includes the selection of the architect and a feasibility study analysis of the site. If you make a good choice on this step, you are well on your way to a successful project. This work included interviewing the client to b ..read more