Energy-Efficient Homes Services in Groton, CT

“We worked most directly with Sara Nelson and could not have had a better experience. Sara and her firm were responsive, resourceful and highly creative with great attention to important and meaningful details that are a trademark of their work.”

“Foster Architecture does beautiful and well-conceived work. His approach to problem solving is both professional and calm. My project was a renovation of a 1970’s builder’s contemporary that was visually disorganized inside and out. Foster re-organized and balanced the spaces, completely transforming the interior and exterior with small aesthetic changes throughout, while integrating the building into the surrounding land, giving the house an up-to-date 21st Century look and quality. Foster’s knowledge of the aesthetic use of materials is comprehensive and creative. I highly recommend his work and look forward to working with him again in the future.”

“Whitney has now worked with my wife and I on three homes. The homes increased in size, complexity. and sophistication. He has also worked with us on follow up additions and remodeling. Clearly, we have been pleased with the our association and have enjoyed the experience of developing our homes with Whitney. I would note that throughout our time together he brought great ides and fresh approaches yet always, always took into consideration our input and desires - so in effect we have had a comfortable joint collaboration. He has been easy to work with, on time, on site, and his oversight has been well focused. We are thinking again of a new, now smaller home and Whitney will be our resource once again. We would certainly recommend him to anyone wanting a creative work of art.”

“Helped in the development of a fitness studio in Briarcliff Manor NY. Very professional from start to finish. Also made valuable observations to enhance the project and add to the quality of the final design and construction.”

“John R. Schroeder, AIA, you have given us our dream home and by that I mean a home more beautiful than we could have imagined and yet completely suitable to our hectic everyday lives as a family with four young children. You listened to our random ideas and put them together into a design that is better than the sum of its parts and what's more, it was completed on schedule (I didn't think this ever happened!).”

“Complete remodel of mid-century home interior. Chris Arelt is a grad of Yale School of Architecture, and his knowledge and creativity show in the results of this project. Ask him for photos of our award-winning kitchen. The details and custom cabinetry are superb - he listened to our needs and wants, and got it right!”

“We found a property we loved and wanted to tear it down but realized it was salvageable and hired Michael McKinley and Associates to help create our dream home. I've been an interior designer for 38 years and have my own ideas and have worked with hundreds of architects. The firm's attention to detail made them a joy to work with and I always looked forward to the next meeting. Michael McKinley and his entire staff listened carefully to me, respected my ideas and yet they brought many of their own creative ideas to the project. In the beginning of the project we asked Michael McKinley and Associates to give us a budget estimate and we were thrilled that the renovation came in on budget and on time...a rarity in this business.”

“We found Duo Dickinson from a search on the web for "award-winning small house architect." His name was the first to pop up. Duo has a splendid website, which includes essays from his prolific writing, radio programs and books. One theme evident with Duo is his work is about the client, not him. He also has a long resume of houses small and grand. And several of his books praise small homes, and practical remodeling fundamentals. We chose to interview him first and never looked at any other architect. After a first date, we were asked to complete a long survey defining who we are and how we see ourselves living in our new home. Then Duo began conversations with the zoning board. Not waiting until we had a plan but from the concept. Duo is also candid and upfront about costs - his and the project's. At this point, since our first meeting in January, we have completed a lengthy survey, sent scores of jpeg photos of designs we like, edited several phases of sketches, and have had three meetings with Duo. He has had several conversation with zoning officials and met with them twice so far. The rest of our work has been done via email. As of now, June, we have reached our latest and most comprehensive version of the cottage. A model is being built to present to neighbors and related zoning boards. The process has been fun, thorough, efficient, and personal. When we ask for a change we get it. His communication is excellent. He is responsive, smart, astute, but plain-speaking. We feel fortunate to have Duo to present our plans in the upcoming approval process. We know we are in capable, kind, experienced and talented hands. And best of all, the cottage will be splendid.”

“Designed and supervised the construction of our retirement home on the coast of Prince Edward Island. He worked with a construction company who had never worked with an architect before.”

“Studio Kiss has worked on two residences of mine in the past 15 years: a 5-storey townhouse in Upper Manhattan; and a one-bedroom apartment on the Upper East Side. These two projects represent the ends of the spectrum for residential design work and Studio Kiss was equally adept at both. For the townhouse project, it provided a conceptual design for using 5,500 square feet of space on 5 floors that made modern family living extremely convenient, while at the same time remaining loyal to the original design of the space. Due to Studio Kiss's layout, the house design matched the daily rhythm of the occupants. For example, by having the Master Suite with walk-closet, jacuzzi, and gym on the top floor, it was possible to wake, exercise, shower, and dress for the day before leaving the floor. On the way down, the children could be stirred from bed and brought down to the kitchen on the garden level before being wisked off to school. The reverse was true in the evening: A glass of wine in the garden, followed by dinner in the kitchen or the formal dining room one floor up, followed by TV or computer time in the family room or library above that, followed by turning in for the night on the top floor. The flow was down in the morning and up in the evening, making it very easy to live without an elevator. The apartment interior design project was equally successful. Studio Kiss asked about my style and taste (simple, modern), and put together a collection of mid-century modern furniture that transformed a box-like space into a warm, colorful, and comfortable living space. In short, Studio Kiss's strengths include a three dimensional critical view of any space, large or small, combined with a wealth of knowledge about design, style, and influences. The result is always something unique, aesthetic, comfortable, and economical.”