--- title: "Island Architects — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/island-architects-pfvwus-pf~1761631335 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1761631335.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Island Architects" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/1f63f4470f45120f_3570-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "2311 East Broad St., Richmond, Virginia 23223, United States" latitude: 37.5477 longitude: -77.3948 phone: "(804) 783-0725" website: http://islandarchitects.com rating: 5 review_count: 3 best_of_houzz_awards: 10 followers: 411 last_updated: 2026-11-10 --- # Island Architects Original Houzz profile: [Island Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/island-architects-pfvwus-pf~1761631335) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Richmond, VA - **Serves:** Richmond, Tuckahoe, Mechanicsville, Bon Air, Glen Allen, Henrico, Charleston, kiawah island, University Of Richmond - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (3 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 10 awards (2013–2025), for Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - 100,000 Ideabook Saves - Best of Houzz winner - Locally owned - 35 years in business Fine architecture is more than the concept of a building; it is the expression of a dream. We truly believe a well-designed home can positively affect the lives of our clients and their guests. Island Architects brings more than 35 years of experience designing distinct custom homes to enhance your lifestyle. Timeless design can only be achieved when the natural elements of the area blend seamlessly with the design of the home, creating perfect harmony between nature and design. This balance between indoor and outdoor spaces results in a home that embodies the essence of elegant and spacious living, in a setting that lends itself to intimate spaces and resort-like seclusion. We pride ourselves on our personalized and collaborative approach to designing homes inspired by the dreams of our clients. We believe collaboration leads to richness in design, and we also believe that an exceptional work of architecture celebrates and supports your lifestyle. Above all, we believe in making sure our clients journey is filled with the joy and excitement deserving of such a rewarding home. We are committed to serving as our clients advocate during each step of the design and building process to ensure the result exceeds expectation. We welcome the opportunity to speak with you no matter where you are in the process of creating your dream home, and we are readily available by phone or email. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Floor Plans - 3D Rendering - Home Restoration - Drafting - Historic Building Conservation - Project Management - Construction Drawings ### Areas Served - Richmond - Tuckahoe - Mechanicsville - Bon Air - Glen Allen - Henrico - Charleston - kiawah island - University Of Richmond ### Typical Job Cost $250,000 - 10 million ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Island Architects | | Address | 2311 East Broad St., Richmond, Virginia 23223, United States | | Phone | (804) 783-0725 | | Website | http://islandarchitects.com | | Followers on Houzz | 411 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/IslandArchitects ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Island Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/island-architects-pfvwus-pf~1761631335) - **Website:** http://islandarchitects.com - **Phone:** (804) 783-0725 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 10 awards (2013–2025), for Design. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 3 reviews** ### All 3 reviews **★★★★★ — chrisdonahue, Jan. 2017** > We have had the pleasure to partner with Island Architects (Matt Sargent & Skip Wallace) to design our soon to be complete new home. We interviewed a number of architects and Island quickly rose to the top due to their quality, shining references and their customer centered collaborative approach. > We have never built a house before so it was critical that we partner with an architect and builder who could interpret our varied wants and create the home we desired. Using Houzz and various photos we showed Island the things we liked and the things we did not. Island conducted very comprehensive discovery sessions with us to find out what we wanted to achieve. Aa a true sign of how well Island listens, the very first design they presented to us is very close to what is standing on our property. We were blown away with the design they presented! > Not only does Island listen but they educate at the same time, which was very important to first time home builders like ourselves. > Island has also introduced incredible architectural design elements into our home that truly makes it unique and custom built to our desires. Many of which were ideas and concepts we knew nothing about prior to working with these professionals. > Island has partnered with us through the entire design and build process. They continue to happily partner with us on any and all details that emerge during the process. They are always eager to engage on any questions we have or on providing us guidance and advice on the many decisions that must be made. > I would absolutely use Island again without question. I would absolutely recommend Island to anyone looking to build a beautiful custom home that meets the personal needs and tastes of the customer. **★★★★★ — Thom Grisanti, Jan. 2017** > I feel it an Honor to be able to Produce the Quality that Skip & his troop at Island Architects design with us. Our projects that we have come through with Island are our finest to date. **★★★★★ — Laura Donahue, Jan. 2017** > Skip and Matt designed our new home, which is nearing completion. We are new to this, having never built before. We wanted to select both an architect and a builder who could bring our ideas to life, while at the same time adding their own creative vision and expertise. Skip and Matt exceeded our expectations. Easy to say, but what I mean specifically is: > \- They are truly collaborative. We provided dozens of pictures, ideas, materials, must-haves, must-not-haves...you name it. The very first set of drawings that came from this collaboration was so close to the vision we had, even though we couldn't articulate it at the time. > \- They are incredibly hard -working. They take pride in what they do, and will keep working at even the smallest detail until we are all satisfied. > \- They really listen, and this is reflected in the questions they ask and the ideas they delivered. > \- They worked very well with our builder. This is so important, and we feel we have a home that reflects two sets of great expertise...Island's and our builders. ## Selected projects - [Southern Oceanfront](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/southern-oceanfront-pj-vj~2001185) - Location: Kiawah Island, SC - Photos: 17 - [Oceanfront Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/oceanfront-renovation-pj-vj~5452480) - Location: Kiawah Island, SC - Photos: 43 - [Stone Country Estate](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/stone-country-estate-pj-vj~1270472) - Location: Princeton, NJ - Photos: 20 - [Osprey Oceanfront](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/osprey-oceanfront-pj-vj~35327) - Location: Kiawah Island, SC - Photos: 17 - [Sabot Hill](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sabot-hill-pj-vj~5453097) - Location: Goochland, VA - Photos: 49 - [Low Country Riverfront](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/low-country-riverfront-pj-vj~2005731) - Location: Kiawah Island, SC - Photos: 8 - [Rhetts Bluff Riverfront](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/rhetts-bluff-riverfront-pj-vj~1270407) - Location: Kiawah Island, SC - Photos: 21 - [Stono Riverfront](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/stono-riverfront-pj-vj~40462) - Location: Kiawah Island, SC - Photos: 44 - [River Federal](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/river-federal-pj-vj~2005736) - Location: Kiawah Island, SC - Photos: 11 - [Osprey Pont Provinicial](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/osprey-pont-provinicial-pj-vj~42238) - Location: Kiawah Island, SC - Photos: 35 - [Low Country Oceanfront](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/low-country-oceanfront-pj-vj~2005752) - Location: Kiawah Island, SC - Photos: 3 - [Kiawah Riverfront](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/kiawah-riverfront-pj-vj~2005815) - Location: Kiawah Island, SC - Photos: 25 - [Bass Creek](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bass-creek-pj-vj~2005772) - Location: Kiawah Island, SC - Photos: 16 - [French Country](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/french-country-pj-vj~2005766) - Location: Kiawah Island, SC - Photos: 6 - [Ocean Course](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/ocean-course-pj-vj~2005828) - Location: Kiawah Island, SC - Photos: 4 - [Bathroom](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bathroom-pj-vj~2250889) - Location: Charleston, SC - Photos: 16 - [Bedrooms and Closets](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bedrooms-and-closets-pj-vj~2250205) - Location: Kiawah Island, SC - Photos: 14 [See all 17 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/island-architects-pfvwus-pf~1761631335) ## Ideabooks - [Drouin Drive New House](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/135105126/list/drouin-drive-new-house) — 23 ideas - [vintage](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/124154138/list/vintage) — 1 idea - [fitzhugh](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/123849100/list/fitzhugh) — 1 idea [See all 3 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/islandarchitects) ## Community Q&A **Q: Riverfront Preserve** *(in Photo Questions)* I'm curious. Are Island Architects and Solaris Inc. the same company? This home is featured on both of your sites here on Houzz. A: Thank you for the compliment! **Q: Tongue and groove ceiling** *(in Photo Questions)* When choosing tongue and groove ceiling how do you determine which orientation to run the boards? Do you run them perpendicular or parallel with the longest run of the room? If you run them perpendicular to the longest run I would think that it would make the room appear wider...? But on the other hand you would have more grooves running parallel which I could see where that would make it feel like there is more depth to it...Wow what a decision! A: There are a number of ways to approach this issue but there is no "right" answer: run the boards perpendicular to the joists so you can attach directly to the joists (often we'll be attaching to plywood, so it can go either way), run them the shortest distance to avoid butt joints which can open and look unsightly, run them perpendicular between beams to give the appearance of transfering weight, or whichever way you like best! **Q: do you know where i could find the house plans for this house? i love it** *(in Photo Questions)* I have been looking at house plans for quite a long time. I love the look of the old fashion /traditional homes and haven't found one I have liked as much as this one. Any ideas? A: Hi, this is the Architect. I don't sell house plans, but would be glad to design you a home that works for you and your unique family. Please email me! Skip Wallace **Q: Do these windows open or are they picture windows?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Some are fixed windows and some are operable. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-11-10.*