For luxury property owners who are renovating or building a home from scratch, few decisions are as important as the architect they choose to work with. Truly, it can be the difference between a masterpiece or a disaster costing you mountains of stress.
The discerning clients who work with Darien-based architect Scott Raissis, principal of Thompson Raissis Architects, know they are in great hands. Not only is Scott dedicated to designing homes that enhance his clients’ lifestyle, but he and his team put 110% into ensuring their clients have a smooth, painless experience from the initial design to move-in day.
Get to know the architect who has been going above and beyond for 30 years and tour five artful homes from his diverse, high-end portfolio.
To know Thompson Raissis Architects is to know its history. The firm dates back to 1988 when James A. Thompson Architect was initially founded. Scott Raissis joined in 1993 and worked his way up to become a partner in 2001, rebranding the full-service architecture firm Thompson Raissis Architects. Scott has been principal architect since 2013 now, gracefully guiding the business into its next era.
Transparency, honesty, integrity and creativity are core values for Scott, both professionally and personally. But, what sets Scott and his firm apart most is their hands-on commitment to each client. With a small, tight-knit team behind him, Scott doesn’t hand anything off to another architect and focuses on the successful execution of his ambitious designs from start to finish. Clients trust him to be their advocate, knowing he meticulously monitors cost and quality at every stage to deliver a top-class result for the best value.
Over the decades, Thompson Raissis Architects has cultivated a long list of repeat clients with refined taste. They keep coming back because Scott explores every avenue when choosing materials and making design choices, then follows through with relentless attention to detail. Scott’s creativity is inspired by good design regardless of period or style and he is driven to realize his clients’ complete vision for their homes.
Indeed, “no” isn’t in Scott’s vocabulary when it comes to incorporating unique requests. One example is a Japanese tatami room that he designed as an anteroom to a primary library, hidden behind pocketed walnut doors. For another project, a client wanted a Balinese-style pavilion, so Scott went the extra mile—or rather, 10,000 miles—and flew to Bali. There, he conducted research and made resource contacts to purchase and ship authentic items for the space.
Scott is in the business of making things happen, which is why many of his Fairfield County and Westchester County clients have also commissioned him to craft their retreats around the country and abroad.
The architect is especially known for his impressive creativity on difficult sites, which often appear along coastlines. From Westport to Tampa to the Bahamas, his waterfront creations inspire awe from boaters and capture stunning views for his clients. Out west, states like Utah and Wyoming are also dotted with Scott’s masterpieces, usually built as second homes for his loyal clientele.
On an average day, Scott is carefully designing and overseeing the execution of homes set to be 7,000 to 12,000 square feet or even up to 30,000 square feet. Evolving with client needs over the years, Thompson Raissis Architects will even manage all construction for those who seek a turnkey experience with the firm.
In addition to Scott’s designs and level of service exceeding expectations, it’s a pleasure to work with the outdoorsman, father of three, and longtime Fairfield Country resident. To get in touch for your next project, visit tr-architects.com.
