The Aviary

The Challenge

The Aviary is the second project of Lynn and Jack Tickle, successful owners of the Tickle's Boutique and Tea Room.  Located adjacent to each other, the new restaurant needed a direct handicapped-accessible connection to the boutique.  Not an easy task considering the new restaurant was significantly elevated with a large depression between the two buildings.

The Solution

Traverse transformed the landscape depression into a dry stream bed that sweeps between the two buildings and acts as a natural rain garden, absorbing runoff from the site.  Planted with native flowering woody shrubs, the landscape provides valuable habitat for birds and butterflies.  Over the stream bed, Traverse envisioned a gracious wood bridge.  Illuminated at night, the bridge provides a welcoming connection between the restaurant and tea shop.

Inspired by the rose-covered trellises found in Nantucket, the entrance into the Aviary is framed by a long pergola that creates a charming gateway into the site.  To create the sense of escape, Traverse designed a large outdoor patio shaded by a large trellis and surrounded by lush plantings—perfect for Al Fresco dining.