LOCATED AT 9 HALLS ROAD, OLD LYME, CONNECTICUT | FULL SERVICE DESIGN | INNOVATION IN DESIGN AWARD

Timeless Coastal Homes Shaped By Place, Light and Lifestyle.

Where the serenity of the Connecticut shoreline meets the art of bespoke living. Each home we design reflects timeless architecture, refined detail, and your personal vision – brought to life with craftsmanship that endures for generations.

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Award Winning Modern Waterfront and Coastal Home Design For The Connecticut Shoreline, Rhode Island, Maine, Massachusetts and New York.

Meet Christopher Arelt

Led by Yale-trained architect Christopher Arelt, Nautilus Architects specializes in luxury waterfront homes, coastal retreats, and legacy properties throughout Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and Coastal New England.

For more than three decades, Christopher has collaborated closely with families to create homes that support entertaining, multi-generational living, wellness, and the unique rhythms of coastal life. Combining award-winning design with deep technical expertise, he helps clients transform extraordinary properties into timeless homes that can be enjoyed for generations.

For your luxury audience, I’d actually place this section directly below the hero image and above the project gallery. People hire Christopher, not a logo, and the Yale pedigree, experience, and personal design philosophy are powerful trust-builders early in the user journey.

His designs have received multiple awards for innovation and design excellence, but his greatest satisfaction comes from creating homes that enrich daily life, strengthen family connections, and become cherished places for generations to come.

“Great architecture is not simply about designing a beautiful home. It’s about creating a place where life unfolds, memories are made, and lasting legacies begin.” — Christopher Arelt

                        

 

From The Desk of Chris Arelt:

I had the great good fortune to grow up in Stony Brook, New York, a small town on the north shore of Long Island.  The Stony Brook, N.Y._ A Scenic Hamlet on the North Shore – The New York Times describes Stony Brook as a scenic hamlet located roughly sixty miles east of Manhattan at the midpoint of the Island’s 120-mile length, close to both the big city and the East End.  Stony Brook was a special place to be a young boy, and as I look back now, I can see many things that were important in guiding me toward my chosen profession of design and architecture.

1.  My father, Richard Arelt, was an architect.  But, for me, it wasn’t an obvious career path and never did I feel “of course that’s what I’ll be too!” other than perhaps inheriting the DNA genes that have given me an innate spatial ability. My dad was quite successful, and prolific, at a time when the area was first being developed (circa 1950’s) and every project was a custom design.  He designed our home and most of the others in the neighborhood.

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Innovation In Design

Award Winning Architecture

Recipient of the Cottages & Gardens Innovation in Design Award, Nautilus Architects was recognized for the design of a luxury residence and pool house in Lyme, Connecticut. The award honors the firm’s ability to create timeless architecture that seamlessly integrates family living, entertaining, wellness, and a strong connection to the surrounding landscape.

Modern Coastal Architecture for Exceptional New England Properties

Nautilus Architects is an award-winning coastal architecture and interiors studio specializing in custom waterfront residences throughout Coastal New England.

From the Connecticut shoreline to Watch Hill, Rhode Island and the Hamptons, we design homes that respond thoughtfully to landscape, light, climate, and the rhythms of coastal living. Each project is carefully composed to balance timeless architecture with modern livability, environmental sensitivity, and enduring craftsmanship.

Our work is rooted in a deep understanding of waterfront properties and the complexities that accompany them — including flood zones, coastal resilience, permitting, topography, and sustainable building strategies. We believe exceptional homes should not only feel beautiful and inspiring, but also deeply connected to their surroundings and designed to endure for generations.

Nautilus Architects provides a highly personalized, full-service design experience tailored to discerning homeowners seeking extraordinary homes between $3 million and $10 million and beyond. Through close collaboration with clients, builders, artisans, and consultants, we create residences defined by authenticity, refinement, and a profound sense of place.

Modern. Contextual. Crafted for the shoreline.

Designed Around the Way You Live

At Nautilus Architects, we believe exceptional homes begin with understanding the people who will live in them. Every project is a reflection of lifestyle, aspirations, and the unique character of the families we serve.

Whether you envision a waterfront retreat for summer gatherings, a multi-generational family compound, or a year-round residence designed for wellness and comfort, our work is rooted in creating meaningful places that enrich daily life.

We carefully consider how a home will be experienced—from morning light in the kitchen and quiet moments overlooking the water to holiday celebrations with extended family and friends. Every room, view, and connection is thoughtfully designed to support the way you live today while anticipating how your needs may evolve over time.

The result is architecture that is both beautiful and deeply personal—homes that become the backdrop for life’s most cherished memories.

Homes Designed for a Lifetime of Living

At Nautilus Architects, we understand that a home is far more than a structure—it is the setting for life’s most meaningful moments. Our clients come to us seeking more than beautiful architecture; they seek a place where family traditions are established, milestones are celebrated, and memories are passed from one generation to the next.

Whether designing a waterfront retreat, a year-round coastal residence, or a multi-generational family compound, we begin by understanding how you want to live. We thoughtfully create spaces that encourage gathering and entertaining, while also providing opportunities for privacy, reflection, and personal well-being.

From expansive kitchens and outdoor living environments designed for hosting family and friends, to guest suites that welcome children and grandchildren for extended stays, every detail is tailored to support a vibrant and connected lifestyle. We also integrate wellness-focused design principles, including abundant natural light, healthy indoor environments, strong connections to nature, and spaces that promote relaxation and rejuvenation.