Newport Architecture Blog
The Evolution of Newport’s Spring One Step Closer
A rendering by L + A Landscape Architecture shows the new public space that would be created from the Florence K. Murray Judicial Complex, at the left side of the image through to Spring Street. The preliminary design for the Newport Historic Spring Project was...
Longwharf Renovation – NEREJ Project of the Month
Since the founding of Newport in 1637, Long Wharf has served as the major commercial axis of the city connecting Washington Square to the waterfront. In fact, when George Washington arrived in Newport to meet with General Rochambeau during the Revolutionary War, he...
Rhode Island Lighthouses
A building type particular and special to the coastal areas, both around the United States and around the world, is the lighthouse. Built to aid in marine navigation and warn boats away from hazardous rock outcroppings, lighthouses have existed from the early days of...
Be Ready for Future Floods
It often takes a Nor’easter like last week to remind people in coastal communities that the beautiful vistas we enjoy can turn dangerous under certain circumstances. While Newport was fairly lucky this time, those who were here for Superstorm Sandy just a few years...
Celebrating Newport’s Architectural Heritage
Newport is a treasure trove of important architecture, from the time of the earliest European settlement of North America to the present day. This vast and irreplaceable portfolio is managed not just by the city or a single institution, but by a large and varied group...
Washington Square: Heart of Newport Civic Life
Every great community needs a great gathering place, and for the last 350 years, Newport’s central place has been Washington Square. Over time, the square had become a bit rundown and vacant of activity, but today the parts and pieces of this area are coming back...
American Architectural History – Gothic Revival
Gothic Revival - Residential George Noble Jones House / Kingscote Newport, RI Richard Upjohn, 1841 The Gothic Revival architectural style prominently showcased elaborate carved bargeboards at the gable ends, an asymmetrical plan, diamond pained windows...
American Architectural History – Greek Revival
Greek Revival - Residential Captain Littlefield House Newport, RI John Ladd, 1836 The Captain Littlefield House is located at on Historic Hill in Newport, Rhode Island. It's neighbors are other Greek Revival structures, but have are done in a simpler...
American Architectural History – Federal Period
Federal Period - Residential Samuel Whitehorne House Newport, RI 1811 With brick structures being popularized by Philadelphian townhouses and architecture, brick was a trend of the time and greatly available. Federal characteristics displayed in the...
American Architectural History – High Georgian
High Georgian- Residential Vernon House Newport, RI Benjamin Harrison, 1760 The Vernon House is a stunning example of High Georgian design in a residential setting. Some trademark High Georgian characteristics are: steeply sloped hipped roof decorative balustrade at...
The Breakers, Crown Jewel of ‘Cottages’
Image Source Newport has many grand homes, but there is none grander here (or really anywhere in America) than The Breakers. It is (ironically) called a “cottage,” not because it is small but because it was used for only the summer. The Breakers was designed by...
American Architectural History – Palladian
Palladian - Civic Redwood Library Newport, RI Peter Harrison, 1742 The Redwood Library marked the introduction of Palladian architecture to America. It featured such Palladian characteristics as: rusticated panels emulating stone appropriate to earlier model columns...