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 reading of place—its light, its land, its story—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’s not only about the form of a room, but how it breathes; how light moves through it across the day; how the spaces hold quiet, movement, and presence. Every detail is considered with care, so that the home lives beautifully—not just on paper, but in the lived rhythms of everyday life.
Whether designing a new home from the ground up or thoughtfully 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 is always responsive to the needs of today: seamlessly integrating modern comforts, technologies, and patterns of living into environments that feel timeless, rooted, and wholly livable. The goal is always the same: to create houses that feel deeply lived-in from the start—warm, well-made, 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.