Historic Renovation Architect
Widely Recognized Hudson Valley Architects Specializing in Sustainable, Luxury Design Creating Inspired Homes and Commercial Spaces That Elevate Lifestyles and Honor the Environment
Thoughtful Restoration. Timeless Design. Modern Performance.
At Wright Architects, we specialize in the restoration, renovation, and transformation of historic homes—bringing together traditional craftsmanship, modern innovation, and a deep respect for legacy. As a trusted historic renovation architect working across the Hudson Valley, New York City, and select regions in the Northeast, we help homeowners rediscover the soul of their property while equipping it for another hundred years of living. With over 20 years of experience, our team has guided the careful renewal of 19th-century brownstones, pre-war townhouses, rural farmhouses, and Victorian estates—each with its own story, its own challenges, and its own architectural legacy. Our approach blends architectural precision, historic research, and sustainability, ensuring every design decision honors the past while embracing the possibilities of the future. Our clients choose us because they want more than preservation. They want a partner who will help them restore with purpose, renew with integrity, and reimagine with care.What Makes Historic Renovation Different?
More Than Design—It’s Cultural Stewardship
Restoring a historic home requires a different mindset—and a different skill set—than new construction. Each building comes with its own history, structural quirks, and aesthetic language. Understanding how to respect that legacy while bringing it into modern use is what sets a great historic renovation apart.
As a seasoned historic renovation architect, Wright Architects helps clients navigate:
- Preservation of original details: from plaster medallions and parquet flooring to carved newel posts, fireplaces, and cornices
- Integration of modern systems in ways that remain hidden and sensitive to the structure (e.g., mini-duct HVAC, radiant flooring, discreet lighting)
- Improvements to comfort and performance without compromising charm
- Structural reinforcement for foundations, joists, roof framing, and masonry
- Landmark approvals from the LPC and other historic review boards
- Balance between authenticity and livability, knowing when to preserve, restore, or reinterpret
These homes are not blank slates—they are works of art with architectural DNA. Our job is to read that DNA carefully and respond with reverence and imagination.
What We Offer as Your Historic Renovation Architect
Full-Service Guidance. Expert Craft. Respect for Every Detail.
Our studio provides comprehensive architectural services tailored specifically to the demands of historic renovation. Whether your home is landmarked, neglected, or partially updated, we’ll create a clear path forward—from concept through construction.
- Preservation & Restoration
- Adaptive Reuse & Modernization
- Sustainability in Historic Buildings
- Landmark & Regulatory Navigation
We approach each home with curiosity, reverence, and a problem-solver’s mindset—because protecting a property’s architectural soul means knowing how to work with it, not against it.
Where We Work
We serve preservation-minded clients throughout the following regions:
Residential Design-Build Services:
- Custom new home design and construction
- Whole-home renovations and structural reconfigurations
- Additions and ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units)
- Kitchen and bath remodels with spatial optimization
- Energy-efficient, Passive House, and Net-Zero construction
- Outdoor living environments and landscape integration
- Contractor coordination and on-site construction observation
Commercial Design-Build Services:
- Boutique offices, wellness centers, and hospitality spaces
- Mixed-use, multi-tenant, and adaptive reuse projects
- Retail and lobby transformations
- Tenant fit-outs and phased build-outs
- Historic preservation and modernization
- Mechanical retrofits and envelope improvements for better energy performance
We coordinate directly with structural engineers, MEP consultants, energy experts, and trusted builders to ensure a cohesive, efficient, and elegant build experience.
Proven Results from Decades of Experience
Case Study: Net-Zero Home + Art Studio – Stone Ridge, NY
A creative couple relocating from NYC approached Wright Architects to design and build their forever home: a net-zero residence with a detached art studio on a wooded lot in the Hudson Valley.
Project Goals:
- Blend into the natural topography and use local materials
- Achieve full Net-Zero performance
- Create two separate yet cohesive structures
- Minimize stress and manage construction from afar
What We Delivered:
- Full-service architectural design and energy modeling
- Passive solar layout with a compact, thermally efficient footprint
- Super-insulated envelope, triple-pane glazing, and HRV ventilation
- Solar PV system and battery-ready infrastructure
- Reclaimed wood siding and stonework using boulders from site
- Delivered under budget and ahead of schedule through our design-build process
“The Wright Architects team made everything feel effortless—from initial design to the final punch list. The house is stunning, comfortable year-round, and completely aligned with our values.” — Homeowners, Stone Ridge, NY
WRIGHT ARCHITECTS
Words We Live By
Tools, Certifications & Trusted Partnerships
We Build Smarter—By Design
Wright Architects combines the imagination of a design studio with the precision of a seasoned project manager. We don’t just hand off drawings—we lead the entire process with confidence, backed by the right credentials, software, and collaborators to ensure your success.
Our Credentials & Capabilities Include:
- Licensed Architect – New York State
We meet the highest professional standards in design, code compliance, and project documentation.
- Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC)
For clients seeking energy-efficient, Net-Zero, or high-performance homes, we offer deep expertise in building science and long-term resilience. - LEED-Accredited Professionals (LEED AP)
We integrate sustainable materials, healthy systems, and site-sensitive strategies from the earliest planning phases. - BIM & Revit 3D Modeling
Our Building Information Modeling process reduces errors, increases transparency, and lets you visualize your project before construction begins. - Energy Modeling & Mechanical Coordination
We model envelope performance, system sizing, and renewable integration for comfort, cost-savings, and performance. - Permit-Ready Documentation
From zoning research to DOB filing to energy code compliance, we prepare detailed documentation that accelerates approvals and avoids delays. - Construction Oversight & Quality Assurance
We visit the job site regularly, track milestones, and communicate openly with you and the builder—so nothing gets lost between paper and reality. - Trusted Partnerships
We work with a tight-knit network of builders, engineers, and specialty consultants who understand the level of quality and collaboration our clients expect.
From concept to completion, our toolkit is built to serve one thing: your peace of mind.
Let’s Build Something Beautiful—Together
Let’s Build Something Beautiful—Together
If you’re searching for a design build architect who can bring your vision to life—and actually make the process enjoyable—you’ve found your team.At Wright Architects, we guide you through every phase with clarity, creativity, and care. Whether you’re in Ulster County, Dutchess, Westchester, or New York City, we’re here to help you design smarter, build better, and enjoy the journey.
Let’s create something timeless, tailored, and built to last.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s the difference between a design-build architect and a traditional architect?
In a traditional project model, you typically hire an architect to design your home or building and then separately hire a general contractor to build it. While this can work, it often leads to communication gaps, misaligned priorities, and change orders during construction because the design and build teams operate independently.
By contrast, a design-build architect like Wright Architects provides both services under one integrated contract.
This means:
With design-build, we don't just hand off drawings—we stay with you through the entire journey, ensuring that the design you fell in love with is the one you get when construction wraps.
By contrast, a design-build architect like Wright Architects provides both services under one integrated contract.
This means:
- Your design and construction teams work together from the start
- You benefit from a more cohesive process and single point of accountability
- There's greater cost control, since budgets are developed alongside design
- Your project moves faster with fewer surprises and better outcomes
With design-build, we don't just hand off drawings—we stay with you through the entire journey, ensuring that the design you fell in love with is the one you get when construction wraps.
Q: Is design-build faster?
Yes—significantly. Our clients routinely experience 20–30% faster delivery compared to traditional design–bid–build models. Why?
We streamline every phase of the process, from zoning research to material procurement to construction punch lists. The result? A smarter schedule, a calmer process, and a space delivered when you actually expected it.
- Design decisions are made with construction in mind from the beginning
- Permit documents, builder selection, and cost analysis happen in parallel—not sequentially
- Fewer handoffs mean fewer delays due to miscommunication or conflicting interpretations
- The builder is involved early, so constructability issues are resolved on paper—not on the job site
We streamline every phase of the process, from zoning research to material procurement to construction punch lists. The result? A smarter schedule, a calmer process, and a space delivered when you actually expected it.
Q: Will I still have control over the design?
Absolutely. Working with a design-build architect doesn’t mean sacrificing creative freedom—it means enhancing it with better execution.
As licensed architects, we prioritize your goals, preferences, and lifestyle from the first conversation. You’ll still:
Our role is to guide, advise, and protect your vision—not override it. We bring it to life with the added benefit of knowing exactly how to build it.
As licensed architects, we prioritize your goals, preferences, and lifestyle from the first conversation. You’ll still:
- Approve all concepts, floor plans, and finishes
- Be involved in budget conversations and design decisions
- Have access to 3D models, design visuals, and performance projections
- Set the tone, style, and feel of your home or building
Our role is to guide, advise, and protect your vision—not override it. We bring it to life with the added benefit of knowing exactly how to build it.
Q: Is design-build more expensive?
Not necessarily. In fact, it’s often more cost-effective over the full course of a project. Here’s why:
While high-end materials or performance upgrades can increase cost—as with any project—our process helps ensure every dollar is working hard for you, and surprises are the exception, not the rule.
- Design-build minimizes costly change orders because construction considerations are baked into the design
- You get pricing feedback early, so you can make informed choices before drawings are finalized
- The integrated team reduces the risk of budget overruns caused by miscommunication or scope gaps
- Scheduling efficiencies save on carrying costs and time-related expenses
While high-end materials or performance upgrades can increase cost—as with any project—our process helps ensure every dollar is working hard for you, and surprises are the exception, not the rule.
Q: Where do you offer design-build services?
We proudly offer design-build architecture throughout New York State, with a special focus on high-performance residential and commercial projects in:
Whether your project is nestled in the woods or situated on a tight urban lot, we tailor our team, tools, and schedule to meet the demands of your location and your goals.
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📍 Ulster County — Kingston, Stone Ridge, Woodstock
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📍 Dutchess County — Rhinebeck, Beacon, Millbrook
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📍 Westchester County — Bedford, Tarrytown, Chappaqua
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📍 New York City — Brooklyn, Manhattan, Harlem, Queens
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📍 Destination Projects by Invitation – We occasionally accept projects outside our core areas, including vacation homes, rural estates, creative studios, and legacy properties throughout the Northeast.
Whether your project is nestled in the woods or situated on a tight urban lot, we tailor our team, tools, and schedule to meet the demands of your location and your goals.