Business Details
Custom Residential Architecture & Coastal Design Experts
At Island Architects, we believe architecture is more than structuresit's about creating spaces that reflect our clients' lifestyles and passions. Founded on the principle of designing with coastal culture in mind, we specialize in custom residential architecture that seamlessly integrates with its natural surroundings. Our process begins with listening to your vision, ensuring every design elementfrom expansive glass views to outdoor entertainment spacesserves your unique needs. With studios in Charleston, SC, Richmond, VA, and Boston, MA, our team brings decades of experience crafting timeless, site-specific homes across the East Coast and beyond.We approach each project as a collaborative journey, combining creative innovation with technical precision to transform dreams into elegant, functional realities. Our commitment to quality is evident in every detail, from historic renovations to contemporary oceanfront estates. As a firm, we prioritize relationships, believing that the best designs emerge from deep understanding of our clients' aspirations. Whether designing a shingle-style beach house or a modern mountain retreat, we remain dedicated to creating architecture that enhances the way people live.
Services
Residential Architecture
Coastal Design
Custom Home Design
Historic Renovations
Project Management
Highlights and features
- We specialize in coastal residential architecture with 20+ years of regional expertise
- Our collaborative process prioritizes client vision and lifestyle needs
- Three regional studios serving East Coast and mountain communities
- Award-winning designs that balance timeless aesthetics with modern functionality
- Experienced team combines creative innovation with technical precision
Services
Residential Architecture
We create custom residential architecture that reflects coastal culture and individual lifestyles. Our designs maximize natural light and views through expansive glass while maintaining timeless elegance. Each project integrates outdoor spaces with interior living areas to create harmonious environments tailored to clients' needs.
Coastal Design
Our coastal designs balance aesthetic beauty with environmental considerations. We incorporate durable materials suited to seaside conditions while creating spaces that connect with ocean vistas. Projects include oceanfront estates and beachside renovations that maintain regional architectural character.
Historic Renovations
We specialize in preserving historic properties while updating them for modern living. Our approach maintains original architectural details while integrating contemporary amenities. Recent projects include restoring Federal-style farmhouses and renovating 20th-century beach houses with modern functionality.
Custom Home Design
Every home we design starts with client aspirations. We create personalized spaces that reflect owners' lifestyles, from minimalist shingle styles to colonial revivals. Our process ensures each elementfrom room layouts to material choicesaligns with the client's vision and site characteristics.
Project Management
We provide comprehensive project management from concept to completion. Our team coordinates with contractors and tradespeople to ensure design integrity throughout construction. This includes regular site visits, quality control checks, and problem-solving to maintain design standards and timelines.
People
Skip Wallace
Founder & President
Skip Wallace founded Island Architects with a vision for timeless coastal designs. He combines family heritage in architecture with modern innovation, carrying a notebook for spontaneous sketches. His work spans coastal communities from the Eastern Seaboard to the Caribbean.
Matt Sargent
Partner & Studio Director
Matt Sargent leads the Boston studio with two decades of East Coast architectural experience. He focuses on creating designs that reflect clients' lifestyles while maintaining environmental harmony. Matt values educational client relationships and enjoys family time and travel.
Chuck Carbonaro
Project Manager
Chuck Carbonaro brings diverse construction experience to Island Architects. With a Master's from Florence and background in both commercial and residential projects, he ensures practical designs that enhance clients' lives. He enjoys travel, theater, and sustainable living.
Emely Taveras
Architect
Emely Taveras combines architectural passion with yoga philosophy. This trilingual designer focuses on intentional spaces that bring client visions to life. Her international experience informs her approach to creating graceful, functional environments that reflect natural surroundings.
Michael Way
Project Manager
Michael Way approaches architecture as problem-solving art. With 18 years of experience, he balances design elegance with practical functionality. A D.C. native, he values tangible results from his work and pursues excellence in diverse personal interests.
Questions
What type of architecture does Island Architects specialize in?
We specialize in custom residential architecture with a focus on coastal designs that integrate with natural surroundings.
Do you work on historic home renovations?
Yes, we have extensive experience restoring and modernizing historic properties while preserving their character.
Where do you operate?
We serve coastal communities from South Carolina to Maine and inland to Colorado, with studios in Charleston, Richmond, and Boston.
How does your design process work?
We begin by listening to client visions, then collaborate through conceptualization and construction to create personalized spaces.
Can you handle contemporary design projects?
Yes, while known for coastal styles, we also create modern homes that maintain our signature connection to natural settings.
