Along the winding shoreline of Rhode Island, where historic villages meet the Atlantic’s restless edge, the future of architecture is being quietly redefined. As the sea encroaches on cherished coastal communities, architects, engineers, and planners are tasked with designing homes that respect the timeless beauty of the ocean while withstanding its growing volatility. Nowhere is this challenge more urgent—or more inspiring—than in the state’s many waterfront towns, where century-old beach cottages and contemporary builds coexist with the ever-present reality of rising tides. These places are not simply at risk; they are at the forefront of adaptive design thinking. As designers reimagine the coastal home, their work becomes a balancing act of aesthetics, durability, and foresight. The architectural process becomes both a practical response and a poetic gesture—an effort to build something lasting amid the forces of change. Visionaries like David DeQuattro RI have recognized that sea-level resilience in coastal architecture is not just about survival—it’s about thriving in harmony with the dynamic shoreline environment.
The Changing Face of the Rhode Island Coast
Coastal erosion and sea-level rise are not abstract predictions in Rhode Island; they are visible and measurable. Towns like Charlestown, Narragansett, and Little Compton have already experienced increased flooding, dune loss, and saltwater intrusion. As storms intensify and high tides creep further inland, the very footprint of many waterfront communities is being reshaped. Flood maps are being redrawn, insurance premiums are climbing, and building codes are evolving to reflect new realities.
The traditional seaside bungalow, once perched just above the tide line, now faces a new architectural destiny. These homes, beloved for their proximity to water and unbroken views, are vulnerable to storm surges and seasonal flooding. But abandoning these locations is not the only option. Architecture offers a more thoughtful path forward—one that protects life and property while honoring the essence of coastal living. Through elevation, material innovation, and smarter land-use policy, homes can remain part of the Rhode Island shoreline’s future without becoming casualties of its transformation.
Elevation as Expression and Necessity
Raising homes above projected flood levels is no longer a precaution reserved for hurricane zones; it’s quickly becoming standard practice in New England’s coastal architecture. In Rhode Island, building elevation requirements have been updated to reflect modern FEMA guidelines, pushing new and renovated homes several feet above base flood elevation (BFE). But elevation is not merely a technical measure. It changes the way a home presents itself on the landscape and offers architects an opportunity to rethink the relationship between structure and site.
Stilt and pier foundations, once viewed as purely functional, are now being integrated into the design vocabulary of modern coastal homes. Thoughtful use of space beneath the elevated structure—whether as open-air lounges, carports, or landscaped voids—can turn a technical requirement into a graceful part of the home’s silhouette. The house no longer sits on the land in a conventional way; it hovers, aware of its environment and respectful of the water’s reach. With strategic orientation and entry planning, the elevated home maintains accessibility and curb appeal while meeting safety standards. The elevation becomes a defining feature, both aesthetically and symbolically—a quiet acknowledgment of climate change and a commitment to adaptation.
Letting Water Pass: Smart Foundations and Flood Vents
Beyond lifting structures, architects must design homes that interact intelligently with floodwaters. This means accepting that water will come and planning for how it flows, disperses, and recedes. Flood vents and breakaway walls are increasingly common in ground-level enclosures, especially in flood zones. These features reduce hydrostatic pressure on the foundation during storms, protecting the home’s structural integrity even when submerged. Rather than fighting water, these systems accommodate it, preserving the core of the building while allowing nature its inevitable movement.
In some cases, open foundations are the most effective design choice. These create fewer obstacles for water and allow for sand migration, dune shifting, and tidal changes without damaging the built environment. When implemented with attention to aesthetics, open foundations can feel light and elegant—raising the home while giving the impression of integration rather than intrusion. They align with a broader movement in coastal design: one that favors respect and flexibility over dominance and permanence.
Zoning for the Future: Community-Wide Resilience
While individual homes can be fortified, the larger resilience of Rhode Island’s coastal communities depends on strategic zoning and policy. Municipalities are increasingly adopting climate-responsive zoning ordinances that address building placement, density, and the preservation of natural buffers. These policies play a critical role in protecting infrastructure, ensuring equitable development, and minimizing cumulative environmental impact.
Architects working in this space must navigate a complex regulatory landscape while advocating for long-term sustainability. In flood-prone neighborhoods, site selection, setback distances, and landscaping restrictions can all influence what’s possible. But rather than viewing these as limitations, forward-thinking designers see them as prompts for creativity. New zoning rules that encourage wetland conservation, restrict impervious surfaces, or incentivize resilient materials are not barriers to beauty—they are catalysts for a new coastal vernacular.
Collaborating with city planners and environmental scientists, architects contribute to a vision of development that aligns with natural systems. Homes are positioned to reduce runoff, minimize heat island effect, and complement existing topography. View corridors are preserved through smart orientation and vertical planning. Green infrastructure, like bioswales and vegetated berms, becomes part of the design language, merging utility with visual harmony.
Materials That Withstand the Shore
The Rhode Island coastline subjects homes to relentless salt spray, freeze-thaw cycles, high winds, and ultraviolet exposure. In this setting, conventional materials can degrade quickly, leading to costly repairs and loss of integrity. Resilient beach architecture demands a palette of durable, low-maintenance materials that reflect both strength and regional character.
Cedar shingles, long beloved in New England for their weathering beauty, remain a staple when properly installed and maintained. Paired with stainless steel fasteners and moisture-tolerant barriers, they form an effective cladding against coastal elements. Metal roofing, fiber-cement siding, marine-grade hardware, and corrosion-resistant framing add layers of defense that preserve both form and function over time. Porous pavers and composite decking allow for drainage and resist decay without sacrificing the tactile experience of outdoor living.
Material choices must also consider energy performance. The coastal home must breathe without leaking; insulate without trapping moisture. Ventilated rainscreens, high-performance windows, and carefully placed openings ensure a balance between air flow and thermal control. The materials do more than resist—they interact with light, air, and sound to create an immersive experience of place.
Celebrating the Site: Designing with the Landscape
Too often, coastal architecture is imposed on the landscape, flattening or reshaping it to fit preconceived design ideas. Water-resilient design challenges this approach, calling instead for homes that respond to and celebrate their surroundings. The best waterfront architecture in Rhode Island doesn’t fight the coastline—it frames it.
Site-specific design begins with understanding the land’s contours, vegetation, wind patterns, and tidal rhythms. It means orienting rooms and windows to capture sunrise over the water and sunsets over the dunes. It means shaping decks and porches to offer shelter from prevailing winds while still inviting the ocean’s presence. It involves planting native grasses that stabilize soil and filter runoff, and using natural transitions—like stone paths or low retaining walls—to guide movement through a changing landscape.
These design gestures do more than enhance views; they foster a deeper connection between inhabitant and environment. The home becomes a participant in the coastal ecosystem, attuned to its cues and rhythms. This is resilience not only in structure, but in spirit.
Preserving Beauty Through Adaptation
In the face of climate change, some argue that building along the coast is an unsustainable indulgence. But Rhode Island’s shoreline is more than real estate—it is heritage, identity, and inspiration. Through thoughtful design and intelligent adaptation, it is possible to preserve what makes these places special without turning a blind eye to the forces at play.
Architecture becomes a form of stewardship, honoring the past while preparing for the future. It is not enough to build strong; we must build smart, responsive, and beautiful. Rising tides need not wash away the soul of the shore. They can, instead, usher in a new era of design—one in which homes are as fluid and enduring as the sea they face.