Ayrault House

The client had purchased a historic gem of a 1-acre property in Newport, Rhode Island. The Ayrault House was built in 1915 by the famed New York City based architectural firm, Cross and Cross Architects. Over a century later, the new owners hired an architect and landscape architect to guide the complete renovation of home and landscape.

The state of the inherited landscape would best be described as chaotic: overgrown shrubs eclipsed the architecture, blocking sunlight and limiting usable yard space. High maintenance dated garden plantings did not fit the style of the new owners. Old brick walkways and a concrete paver driveway needed to be replaced. A new garage would further inform the new parking court design.

The landscape design was shaped by the original existing brick walls. The walls were an extension of the neo-Georgian building architecture. The existing pool would remain framed by lawn. Minimal pavement treatment was applied to negotiate the elevation change from door to pool. Three granite curbs were used to create “lawn steps”. The overall goal was to create a parklike atmosphere, a green oasis within an urban context. The park atmosphere was enhanced by long sweeps of lawn. Within the lawn, there are groves of mature rhododendrons, large canopy trees, and small flowering trees. The perimeter planting of mature evergreen trees provides privacy. The formal elegance of the front entrance was enhanced by a new classical boxwood garden. The boxwoods complemented the English Ivy thriving on the front building façade. Rather than being hidden, splendid architectural details would be revealed, becoming the focal point.

Team

Landscape Contractor: Francisco Tavares Landscape Construction, Inc.
Architect: Joseph B. Lanza Design & Building