Belle Mer’s six-acre waterfront campus near Newport, Rhode Island, was renovated to strengthen its connection to the surrounding landscape while enhancing its reputation as a premier event venue. Tappe Associates redesigned the property’s banquet halls and site amenities with a vision of blurring the boundary between indoor and outdoor spaces for weddings and large gatherings.
Belle Mer Wedding Facility
Product
Application
Architect
Tappé Associates, Inc.
Photographer
Nat Rea
Reimagining a Waterfront Wedding Destination
Designed for Flexibility and Coastal Performance
Beyond its dramatic appearance, the NanaWall SL70 system enables the Water Salon to transition effortlessly between enclosed events and open-air celebrations. Its slim aluminum frames preserve panoramic ocean views while creating a sophisticated venue that welcomes sea breezes in pleasant weather and provides comfort and protection when closed.
Creating Year-Round Indoor-Outdoor Event Spaces
The Water Salon was envisioned as a flexible venue that could fully open to the adjacent Ocean Lawn while maintaining year-round comfort and performance. To achieve this, the design team specified a customizable NanaWall SL70 aluminum framed folding glass wall with matching transoms and thermally broken engineering. The monumental system delivers expansive openings, energy efficiency, and durability capable of withstanding the demanding coastal climate.
“While there are a number of manufacturers whose systems might have been adequate, NanaWall’s reputation inspired our confidence—and the client’s trust.”
Elevating the Guest Experience
Located on Goat Island in Narragansett Bay, Belle Mer combines waterfront scenery with thoughtfully designed event spaces to create memorable experiences for weddings and private gatherings. The monumental folding glass walls extend the elegance of the Water Salon to the outdoors, allowing guests to enjoy uninterrupted coastal views while seamlessly connecting the venue with its surrounding landscape.
What Our Customers Have to Say
Muirfield Country Club
The NanaWall systems have transformed the club’s main dining area, transforming a once enclosed space into a vibrant indoor-outdoor venue. Members now enjoy a more flexible dining experience, with operable doors that open to connect with the outdoors.
Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo uses NanaWall systems to create a welcoming visitor center that seamlessly connects guests to the zoo grounds and the experiences that await within.
“NanaWall was selected for its minimalist aesthetic and ability to blend in seamlessly with the adjacent fixed storefronts. NanaWall’s reputation as a high-quality product suitable for a public building also factored into the selection, mindful of the frequent use over the summer period during the festival,”
— Mecanoo
