In a region of saltwater farms, Capt. Howland built a granite villa in 1830 on a gentle slope between Drift Rd. and the tidal Westport River. The villa occupies the line between the fertile floodplain and thinner, sand-plain soils, creating two distinct vegetation types: riparian wood & dry grassland. The provincial Renaissance Villas of Andrea Palladio surrounded by agricultural lands and woodlots as well as the coastal paintings of Andrew Wyeth were used in precedent studies to define the relationship between architectural form & varied working landscapes.

The driveway entrance was moved to create a longer, oblique approach to the house through the meadow. A grass terrace supported by distinct 2:1 slopes, organizes activities related to the barn, parking and the house. On the river-side, an existing granite terrace was carefully documented and rebuilt as a garden connection to the new boathouse. A line of bald cypress trees planted along the canalized river will grow to create an overhanging shade. These early interventions are part of a longer process to create a landscape context for Howland's Folly.