by Ross Cann AIA RA | Feb 4, 2026 | Architectural Design, Articles, Historical, Newport Spotlight, Sustainable Design
There are two types of mansions in Newport, Rhode Island: those prominent buildings located along Bellevue Avenue, which seek to showcase their grandeur to the public, and those along the winding Ocean Avenue that are located on large secluded lots and largely hidden...
by Ross Cann AIA RA | Jan 28, 2026 | Architectural Design, Articles, Guide, Historical
Sainte Chapelle (Paris, France, Built 1248) People often think of architecture as the “background” of our lives, but to architects, buildings are complex systems and artistic creations. Just as a novelist uses syntax to convey plot or a composer...
by Ross Cann AIA RA | Jan 14, 2026 | Architectural Design, Architectural Historian Spotlight, Articles, Historical, Newport Spotlight
During the Gilded Age, Newport, Rhode Island, transformed from a quiet summer retreat into a glittering stage for America’s “industrial royalty.” At the center of this transformation was the Vanderbilt family and the houses they built and owned. While...
by Ross Cann AIA RA | Nov 12, 2025 | Architectural Design, Architectural Historian Spotlight, Historical, Newport Architect Spotlight, Newport Spotlight, Professional
After a five-year hiatus, the Newport Symposium, a longstanding scholarly tradition for the Preservation Society of Newport County (PSNC) since 1993, returned to the community this past spring with a one-day session focusing on the Italian influence on the mansions of...
by Ross Cann AIA RA | Nov 4, 2025 | Architectural Design, Architectural Historian Spotlight, Historical, Newport Architect Spotlight, Newport Spotlight, Professional, Urban Planning
Long Wharf, Newport, RI (A4 Architecture Renovation Project) In the complex calculus of real estate, desirability countless factors contribute to a property’s ultimate valuation—from square footage and material quality to proximity to major transit routes. Yet, an...
by Ross Cann AIA RA | Oct 28, 2025 | Architectural Design, Architectural Historian Spotlight, Historical, Newport Architect Spotlight, Newport Spotlight, Professional
A Sculpture from The Great Elephant Migration (2021, Newport Cliffwalk) In Newport, Rhode Island, sculpture and architecture have long lived side by side. Newport is a city renowned for its Gilded Age mansions and maritime charm, but also enjoys a rich and evolving...