From our beginning in 1985 Stelle Architects have maintained a vision of high quality sustainable architecture. Our first project, a small solar-heated house for a retired couple, was designed to expand or contract depending on the number of visitors. (It was, in effect, a house within a house.) Subsequent projects have followed the same principles of problem solving and sensitivity to place and client profile.

We believe in a low key, non-invasive, and low maintenance approach to both design and construction. Inspired by indigenous forms and materials, we strive to create environments that respect and celebrate the beauty and fragility of the natural landscape in which our buildings are sited. We set out to marry sustainable design principles with a modern and inquisitive spirit that reflects the legacy of experimental design. Our philosophy of "less is more" applies to the architecture as well as the program. We are committed to reducing the impact of new architecture on the environment by reworking pre-existing structures, recycling materials, and preserving native plant species whenever possible. A smaller footprint is one of our primary goals. 

While Stelle Architects offer a wide range of non-residential services, we specialize in single-family beach dwellings and second homes. We believe that houses should be places of inspiration and self-discovery. Our designs begin with the unique character of a given site and develop in response to the light, breezes, views, contours and neighboring structures. Low-lying silhouettes may be used to echo the lines of land and sea. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring the outdoors inside while discretely placed terraces and decks can expand the sense of space while helping to define the architecture in relation to its natural surroundings.

Mindful of our client’s needs, we bring extensive knowledge and experience to the entire design/build process, helping to guide it in a sensible, expeditious, and stimulating successful way. We are well versed in the complexities of zoning and building restrictions. (The firm has been based in Bridgehampton for the past 15 years and has completed hundreds of projects.) As custodians of the built environment, we produce high quality buildings that speak to their place in time and survive its test.