West Pond House
West Pond House
Charlestown, RI
Set along Rhode Island’s dynamic southern coast, the West Pond House nestles into a landscape shaped by sandy beaches, salt ponds, and tight-knit neighborhoods of modest cottages. In a region facing increasing development pressures, the design of both the house and the landscape aims to celebrate restraint, resilience, and a deep connection to place.
The landscape design plays a pivotal role in integrating the new home within its sensitive coastal environment. Native and drought-tolerant plantings form the foundation of the site strategy, restoring and enhancing the local ecology while minimizing the need for irrigation. Thoughtfully arranged around the home, these plantings create a seamless transition between the built environment and the adjacent conservation land, reinforcing the sense that the house belongs to the land rather than dominating it.
The compact footprint of the house—divided into two narrow, parallel volumes—creates opportunities for carefully curated outdoor spaces. Private gardens and patios orient toward the backyard, inviting quiet immersion in nature while preserving the privacy of both residents and neighbors. Views from inside are framed to celebrate the textures and seasonality of the surrounding plant palette, blurring the line between interior and exterior living.
Circulation around the site is deliberately understated, with pathways and surfaces that echo the natural tones of the sandy coastal context. Plantings soften the architectural edges, while subtle grading ensures that water is directed away from foundations without the need for intrusive hardscaping. Together, these elements create a living landscape that feels timeless, rooted, and inherently sustainable.
While the home's contemporary design stands apart, it is the landscape that anchors West Pond House to its historic neighborhood. Traditional materials, familiar coastal forms, and a sensitive planting strategy ensure that both architecture and site design honor the rhythms and textures of the Rhode Island shore.
Project Team
Estes Twombly + Titrington Architects,
Landscape Creations of Rhode Island
Carson Granville Builders
Warren Jogger Photography
"Design Outside did an excellent job planning and creating landscaping for our new home. We had a small lot but were hoping for spaces to eat and relax outdoors, to create privacy from our neighbors on both sides, and to have some grass and plantings, and to extend the feeling of the house. Design Outside delivered all of it. Now that it is completed, everything looks effortless, as though there could be no other way to configure the space, yet it’s clear it has been rigorously planned. The hardscape has interest and variety. The plantings look beautiful in every season. Steps lead down from the dining patio to the lower pea gravel patio with a fireplace and lounge chairs, to a grassy yard where our dog can run. Thoughtfully chosen plantings and attractive fencing keep the yard private."
