Studio
Harris Design Studio is an architecture and design practice that creates homes with a sense of permanence, buildings that feel as though they’ve always belonged, shaped by their surroundings and the lives unfolding within them.
Rooted in the architectural language of New England and guided by a deep respect for history, our studio’s work seeks quiet beauty over spectacle and clarity of form over trend. Each project begins with a careful study of its context, including its light, land, and architectural character, and grows from that foundation into something enduring.
The design process is intimate and deliberate, shaped by dialogue, trust, and an attention to the things that are often felt more than seen.
It is not only about the form of a room, but how it works. How natural light moves through it during the day, how spaces support both activity and stillness, and how they contribute to a sense of comfort and ease. Every detail is carefully considered so the home performs well not just on paper, but in everyday life.
Whether designing a new home from the ground up or carefully restoring a historic property, our studio is committed to delivering exceptional quality, craftsmanship, and enduring elegance tailored to each client’s unique lifestyle. While our work is grounded in tradition, it responds to the needs of contemporary life, integrating modern comforts, technologies, and patterns of living into environments that feel timeless, rooted, and truly livable.
The goal is always the same: to create homes that feel deeply lived-in from the beginning, warm, well-crafted, and built to last.
Team
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James T. Harris
Founder & Principal
James is the founder and principal of Harris Design Studio, bringing over a decade of experience in high-end residential architecture, with a strong foundation in classical and traditional design.
Raised in one of the state’s oldest colonial towns, James grew up surrounded by historic homes and the layered beauty of early American architecture. That environment instilled in him an early sensitivity to proportion, place, and the quiet dignity of well-built structures, an influence that continues to guide his work today.
He studied Studio Art and Architectural Studies at Trinity College in Hartford before earning his Master of Architecture from the University of Miami, where he was awarded the nationally recognized Alpha Rho Chi Medal, an honor given to one graduating student who exemplifies leadership, service, and promise of professional excellence.
James began his professional career at de la Guardia Victoria Architects in Coral Gables, Florida, where he worked on finely detailed, classically inspired homes. He later returned to Connecticut to join Hendricks Churchill, rising to the role of Associate and Senior Designer. During his final years there, he spearheaded the design of all architectural projects, contributing significantly to the firm’s reputation in high-end residential work.
Through Harris Design Studio, James offers clients the same level of rigorous, thoughtful design associated with award-winning practices, now delivered through a more personal, collaborative studio model grounded in craftsmanship, context, and enduring quality.