Connecticut is known for having a small-town look and feel with its tight-knit community. People help each other out in these places and behave like a single family. Residents and visitors will always have things to do and explore in this stunning city. You can take long drives through the countryside, lay out in the sun on the beach, eat fresh seafood, and walk through places full of history and culture. Even though it’s famous for its stunning fall leaves, there are outdoor activities to do all year long, like skiing and sailing or simply hanging out in a cozy tavern.
In this article, get to know eight of the best residential architects in Connecticut. These impressive firms were evaluated based on their skills, experience, and exceptional portfolios.
Austin Patterson Disston Architecture & Design
149 Water St, Norwalk, CT 06854
Austin Patterson Disston (APD) Architecture & Design has been in the industry since 1982, serving Connecticut and its nearby areas with exceptional projects and extensive services. Its team of experts consists of four registered architects, two LEED-certified architects, and nine architects and designers who work hard to help countless clients with their architecture and design needs. The firm has earned an impressive portfolio with various styles and types, such as repairs, renovations, additions, flats, and custom homes. Its integrated and hands-on approach starts with evaluating the built and natural environments to create unique projects that improve the environment and change how people live. For each project, the firm brings a deep understanding of past architectural examples and new design ideas that offer the best value possible while meeting the wants and goals of the clients.
In this featured project, the firm was tasked to renovate the home to meet its client’s needs and take advantage of the rural setting. This Colonial Revival home, which features 9,950 square feet of living space, has a new screen porch and a front porch. The interior was changed to make the main stair hall more open, and a living area, guest bedrooms with bathrooms, and exercise and painting areas were added on the third floor.
VanderHorn Architects
41 W Elm St, Greenwich, CT 06830
Since its inception in 2013, VanderHorn Architects has completed countless residential projects in a wide range of unique styles across Connecticut and nearby areas. Founded by Douglas VanderHorn, the firm has earned an impressive portfolio that showcases its ability to build exceptional homes by listening to and following the ideas and goals of each client. Each VHA design is based on careful research and good planning to deliver the best value possible for its clients’ hard-earned investments. No matter the project’s size, scope, and complexity, the firm combines new building technologies, modern conveniences, and custom features. Its focus on communication, collaboration, and solid relationships ensures smooth project delivery and an enjoyable experience. It has earned a strong network of skilled engineers, interior designers, landscape planners, contractors, craftsmen, and artisans to ensure quality and timely completion.
This quaint old barn on a Greenwich estate is one of the firm’s notable projects. The firm was tasked to renovate this big antique barn to go with their original colonial home for more space for entertainment. The firm used the barn’s frame made of wood and the rest of the wood for siding and trim on the outside and floors, walls, and ceiling boards on the inside. The new work, which included new windows and doors, a chimney, a dome, and a greenhouse, was done in a way that respected the barn’s original character.
Demetriades + Walker
11 Brook St, Lakeville, CT 06039
With 37 years of experience, Demetriades + Walker is an architect and design firm serving clients in Connecticut and nearby areas. It takes an integrated and hands-on approach to managing each project, getting a strong understanding of the project to ensure seamless integration of the site and meet its client’s needs and goals. The firm’s impressive portfolio is a testament to this fact, which combines Modernism and the vernacular style, focusing on how light, volume, and space move together and go beyond stylistic labels. Its highly skilled professionals work hard to develop well-planned, customized designs that reflect each client’s personality, lifestyle, and vision. As a result, the firm has earned a long list of clients who testify to its quality and professionalism.
This custom home with a pool is located on 5.6 acres of land. The firm added to an existing house on the side of the road to take advantage of the available space. The main living areas have been moved to give the owners more privacy and views of a stunning rural scene. Overlaying the original structure is a clear gallery connector connecting the old and new areas seamlessly.
Trillium Architects
16 Bailey Ave, 2nd Fl, Ridgefield, CT 06877
Trillium Architects is a full-service architecture company started in 2004 to design eco-friendly homes. Since then, the firm has come a long way from its humble beginnings, continuously growing and expanding its service to meet its clients’ ever-changing needs. Its impressive portfolio, which features many healthy, energy-efficient homes, is a testament to this. No matter the project’s size, scope, and complexity, the firm consistently looks for ways to give its clients the best experience possible when building or remodeling their homes. It utilizes high-quality craftsmanship, creative design techniques, and cost-efficient solutions that combine visuals, usability, and the latest energy-efficient designs. Over the years, the firm has earned massive recognition for its quality, professionalism, and dedication to client satisfaction.
Trillium Architects gave the client what they wanted for this project. The new space features an open, roomy, and family-friendly design that kept the building’s size small and blended well with its colonial surroundings. The firm added many energy-efficient, eco-friendly features that saved it on energy bills in the long run.
Amanda Martocchio Architecture
189 Brushy Ridge Rd, New Canaan, CT 06840
Since its inception in 2004, Amanda Martocchio Architecture has made unique places that improve the community and change people’s lives. It takes an integrated and hands-on approach to create designs from natural and artificial project sites and the ideas in customer conversations. The firm focuses on utilizing raw materials, lots of sunshine, and connections that make people happy with their spaces. Its dedication to preserving resources, new technologies, and the most recent advances allows it to deliver forward-thinking designs that can last for generations. Over the years, the firm has given each client a constructed answer that offers the best possible value for their hard-earned investments.
This LEED-certified job features a significant renovation of a 1960s home. The original foundation was kept, but the floor plan was changed to include some new space, a new look, and new massing. The design is clean and modern, and the back wall is glass from floor to ceiling, opening up the living areas inside to the outside.
Nautilus Architects
9 Halls Rd, Old Lyme, CT 06371
Christopher Arelt founded Nautilus Architects to help understand clients’ needs and interpret their ideas. Since its inception in 1993, the firm has earned an impressive portfolio that showcases many high-quality designs based on the client, the site, and the setting. Arelt’s work continues Modernism while also responding to it.
Its experts work closely with its clients, guiding them throughout the process and equipping them with the correct information to make sound decisions. The firm sees architecture as both a service and an art and strives to deliver designs that reflect each client’s personality, lifestyle, and goals for the space. It sees architecture as something that fits people and inspires them. Its focus on communication and collaboration allows it to work together and determine the best ways to utilize the space and offer the best value possible. It pays close attention to ensure each project is progressing according to plan.
One of the firm’s notable projects is this beachfront home, built on concrete piers and held up by helical stainless steel piles. The firm utilized specific design and building methods to ensure its quality. A deck and stairs connect two parts of the building. The back part has two stacked rental units, and the front part is the owner’s summer home.
Thompson Raissis Architects
381 Boston Post Rd, Darien, CT 06820
For 24 years, Thompson Raissis Architects has been at the forefront of designing high-end homes in Connecticut and its nearby areas. Since its inception in 1999, TRA has been a full-service design company offering much construction and technical knowledge. Its unique design process combines style and elegance rooted in the past with modern building methods and technology. No matter the project’s size, scope, and complexity, the firm takes a personalized and hands-on approach to managing each project to ensure close attention to the particular needs of each project and site. The firm’s impressive portfolio features unique projects with a unique mix of historical architectural styles and modern touches that meet its client’s needs and exceed their expectations. Its team of expert designers and builders offers a wide range of skills and knowledge to make detailed architectural drawings.
This house was built in the traditional New England shingle style. Because of the unique shape of the land, the firm made a long driveway with upper and lower courts. At the back of the property, there are terraces for eating and entertaining outside and a swimming pool that falls into the water. The house looks like the old-fashioned homes along New England’s coast, with its cedar shingles and fieldstone from the area.
Michael McKinley & Associates, LLC
146 Water St, Stonington, CT 06378
Since 1987, Michael McKinley & Associates has solidified its reputation as a reliable and trustworthy firm that serves Connecticut and its nearby areas. With 36 years in the industry, the firm has earned an impressive portfolio and solid track record of satisfied clients that testify to its ability to deliver high-quality projects. Its team of experts is good at designing homes responsive to the coastline, their site, and their surroundings. It offers years of experience and is knowledgeable about zoning, flooding, and historic preservation. The firm’s architects, designers, and project managers work hard to create unique spaces based on customers’ wants. Its dedication to excellence and customer satisfaction has earned the firm a long list of clients returning for their following projects.
The shingle-style home was built in the 1980s and looked out over Stonington Harbor. The firm was tasked to renovate the house and make the most of the stunning views. A small entry hall, a built-in bookcase that blocked the view from the stairs, and an old kitchen and stove were the first things that were taken out. The large windows bring in a lot of light and breeze, seamlessly connecting the indoors and outdoors.
