The redesign of Lincoln Woods offers many great opportunities for this key property within the Rhode Island State Park System. A new beach and building complex helped provide necessary upgrades to a heavily used facility and created a more attractive local get-away for the northern Rhode Island communities that it serves. The new design honored the history and aesthetics of the park while introducing low-impact and environmentally conscious buildings with durable materials, efficient technologies, and innovative design strategies, including lighting and ventilation that minimized the need for heating and cooling.

The main office and concessions building include a lifeguard tower and medical area. A separate bath house provides indoor and outdoor showers, and a nature center gives guests the opportunity to learn about all Lincoln Woods has to offer. The redesign of the site provides clear circulation and pushes the swimming area to the east and away from protected wetlands, improving water quality for all. The landscape design includes native, non-invasive species that require minimal irrigation an expanded parking lot made of porous asphalt to reduce the needs for storm water basins, and measures to curb the heat island effect. These materials also take less energy to produce, increasing their overall sustainability.

Winner of the 2017 AIA Citation and the 2017 RI Monthly Gold Award!

RI Monthly’s Best of RI Awards 2020 Super Star Winner