- PROFILE -

Firm Profile | Careers | Testimonials | Community

- FIRM PROFILE -

Charles Hilton Architects is a Greenwich, Connecticut based design firm specializing in the finest quality custom residential architecture, sustainable design and waterfront projects. Over the past 34 years, Charles Hilton’s name has become synonymous with the highest quality design and exceptional personal service. The firm has earned a reputation for producing traditionally inspired residences, landscape features and architectural interiors that are beautiful, practical and fit harmoniously in their environments. Although the firm’s work stretches across the country, its focus continues to be beautifully crafted residences in Fairfield County, Connecticut and Westchester County, New York.

Charles Hilton Architects’s designs are the result of attention to several key influences. The first is the personality of the client. Rather than pursuing a signature style, the firm actively seeks to understand the distinct personal experiences, passions and dreams of every patron as unique inspiration for each new design. The second is a deep understanding and thorough application of time tested design principles. Years of working on numerous fine, traditional residences, and the continued development of an extensive reference research library, has given the firm a comprehensive understanding of traditional design methods and materials. The firm draws on this experience, together with its exhaustive research into the most current and best building practices, when designing each new commission. A third critical influence is the project setting. The firm aims to understand the opportunities and limitations inherent in each specific site, seeking to maximize views, daylight and integration with the surrounding neighborhood and geography. The goal is to produce beautiful, timeless designs that harmoniously address these guiding influences in an imaginative and simple built form. CHA seeks to provide each project with inherent human scale, balanced proportions, efficient planning, memorable compositions, sustainable and healthy building practices, and the use of fine, expertly crafted materials.

The firm is led by a leadership team that has practiced together for decades, bringing strong relationships with interior and landscape professionals, engineering consultants, town officials, and experienced craftspeople to each project. The firm is committed to incorporating sustainable green building strategies into each design by providing practical energy-efficient elements such as high efficiency windows and doors, geothermal heating and cooling, co-generation of electricity and heat, LED lighting, home automation systems, solar panels and green roofs into their projects. In addition, CHA is well-versed in a wide variety of ‘healthy home’ techniques to create environments as good for one’s health and well-being as they are attractive. 

The firm’s work has been recognized with more than 100 design awards and is published regularly in regional and national shelter publications focusing on such topics as traditional residential design, waterfront homes, green sustainable design and historic preservation.

- LEADERSHIP -

CHARLES HILTON 

Charles Hilton’s professional career began in the spring of 1980 when he accepted a position as an architectural apprentice while still in high school. He worked throughout high school and college while pursuing his formal architectural education from The Pennsylvania State University and graduating with Distinction in 1988. During his matriculation he also studied abroad at the Technische Universitat Darmstadt, in Darmstadt, Germany, traveling extensively throughout Western Europe and formulating his ideas about the role of classical architecture in the modern world. After graduation, Mr. Hilton accepted a position in Greenwich, Connecticut as a designer, until co-founding his first firm in 1991. In April of 2013, Charles went on to launch his solo venture, Charles Hilton Architects. As an architect, Mr. Hilton is dedicated to producing imaginative buildings which inspire and delight, humanistic architecture that meaningfully improves the lives of its inhabitants, and high quality designs with timeless relevance.

Over the past 34 years, Charles Hilton’s firms have completed over 400 built projects, primarily in Fairfield County, Connecticut and Westchester County, New York. Mr. Hilton’s work has been featured in more than 150 regional and national publications, focusing on such topics as traditional residential design, waterfront homes, green design and historic preservation. The firm’s work is featured “The Classical American House” (Images Publishing 2017), “Classic Greenwich Houses” (The Monacelli Press 2020), and “Sleepy Cat Farm: A Gardener’s Journey” (The Monacelli Press 2021). Mr. Hilton also has been the recipient of over 100 design awards. Some award highlights for Mr. Hilton on a national level have included being a 2016 Inductee into the New England Home Design Hall of Fame, being placed on the Top 50 Coastal Architects List in Ocean Home’s Magazine for the past ten years, winning the prestigious national Palladio Award in 2011 and 2021, winning a McKim Mead & White Award in 2018, and being recognized by the The Brick Industry Association with four Brick in Architecture Awards, two of which were the ‘Best in Class’ award winners for their respective years. On a state level, Mr. Hilton has claimed numerous AIA-CT Alice Washburn Awards for his residential architecture, and in 2013, Charles Hilton won the Home Builders and Remodelers Association (HBRA) of Connecticut’s top award, ‘Project of the Year’. On a local level, Mr. Hilton was awarded the Greenwich Rotary Club ‘2017 Citizen of the Year’, was a 2017 Serendipity Design Market Digest Honoree, and he and his firm were recognized by the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce with the 2016 Corporate Leadership Award for their longstanding involvement in the community and enhancing the town’s quality of life. One notable contribution to the Greenwich community is the September 11th Memorial in Cos Cob Park. Charles Hilton is also a lecturer and has been featured in recent years in two TV series.

Charles holds NCARB accreditation and is a licensed Interior Designer, a member of The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art and the New England Design Hall of Fame.

DAVID NEWCOMB

David Newcomb began working with Charles Hilton in 1993 as a summer intern, eagerly accepting a full-time position with him upon college graduation. His talent was put to work soon after as a Project Manager and, in recognition of his significant contributions to the firm, David was named an Associate Partner in 2005. As an Associate Partner at Charles Hilton Architects, David works on the planning and designs of nearly all the firm’s projects and generously shares his wealth of technical experience and architectural knowledge with the team.

David was raised in nearby North Stamford, surrounded by a family of talented designers and artisans. Not only was his father a graphic designer, author and painter and his mother a fashion designer, but David’s paternal grandfather was an architect and his maternal grandfather was an engineer. His fascination with construction and architecture began at an early age. His family traveled extensively, both locally and abroad, which gave David tremendous exposure to a wide variety of architectural styles. After focusing on architecture and art in high school, David attended the University of Kansas where he received a Bachelor of Architecture with minors in Urban Planning and economics. During college, he studied abroad in the Danish International Studies program at the University of Copenhagen. In addition to spending his final year of studies in KU’s Urban Design Studio, David gained valuable commercial work experience with architecture firms in Kansas City, Missouri during college as well.

David is a Registered Architect in the state of Connecticut holding NCARB accreditation and is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. David lives in Stamford with his wife and son and spends much of his time enjoying the outdoors, running, hiking and kayaking. He and his family also enjoy traveling and barbequing whenever they get the chance.

NICHOLAS ROTONDI

Nicholas Rotondi joined Charles Hilton in 2010 at his previous firm, contributing as a draftsperson and began managing projects soon after.  Additionally, he saw an opportunity for the firm to expand its marketing platform and put his creative and graphic skills to use.

In April of 2013, Nick followed Charles Hilton, taking part in the founding of the firm Charles Hilton Architects.  He has continued to work as a Project Manager, contributing to the design and facilitating the execution of many of the firm’s notable projects. From 2011 through construction in 2015, Nick volunteered and worked closely with Charles Hilton to design the September 11th Memorial in Cos Cob Park in Greenwich.  As part of the firm’s leadership team, Nick has continued to run the marketing operations, expanding the firm’s brand recognition to a national platform.  His creative and organizational skills assist him daily in the design and management of all marketing projects.  Nick worked with Charles Hilton to develop and edit the firm’s first monograph, “Classic Greenwich Houses”, published in September 2020.

Nick grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he was impacted by the historic homes of the Philadelphia Main Line and by the stunning botanical gardens of Longwood Gardens.  Following his passion for architecture and the fine arts (from photography, graphic design, painting, ceramics, and printmaking), Nick pursued and was accepted to the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts where he studied architecture, solidifying his future career.  Nick attended The Pennsylvania State University where he continued his architectural studies with a focus on sustainable design and graduated with his Bachelor of Architecture in 2010.

When Nick isn’t working, he loves spending time with his wife and son and continues to have a passion for photography, which serves as a great source of inspiration for his projects.

JASON WYMAN

Jason Wyman began working with Charles Hilton in 2012 and a year later took part in the founding of Charles Hilton Architects. As a Project Manager, Jason has overseen projects of all scales, from charming outbuildings to very large estates, taking them from conception to completion. Jason has also merged his knowledge and curiosity of technology with architecture. Part of his role with CHA’s leadership team is to coordinate the implementation of new technologies to ensure the firm is equipped for the ever-changing landscape of design.

Growing up outside Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Jason’s formative years were spent surrounded by New England colonial architecture, shaping his appreciation of traditional homes and town centers. Through high school and college, Jason worked in his family’s residential construction business, gaining valuable understanding of and appreciation for all that goes into constructing a home. Learning a wide variety of techniques of construction, he became accomplished in building homes with enduring character.

Beyond the borders of Connecticut, Jason's passion for design extends to the global community. Throughout the years, he has dedicated his time to service projects, utilizing his talents in areas of need.  He has participated in several building projects in Mexico, leading team members through the construction process and is currently the architect for House of Compassion in Ukraine.

Jason attended Judson University, completing a Master of Architecture with a concentration in traditional architecture and urbanism, currently holds NCARB accreditation, and is a Registered Architect in the state of Connecticut. Jason enjoys his time outside the office with his wife and working on various woodworking projects and reading.

MEREDITH EVANS

Meredith Evans joined Charles Hilton Architects in its inaugural year and has since contributed as a Project Manager to the design and execution of dozens of projects with the firm. As a member of CHA’s leadership team, Meredith works heavily on the firm’s recruiting and hiring efforts. Her keen organizational skills are constantly relied upon by the firm and its clients alike. Meredith’s education and background in classicism have allowed her to contribute to projects in a wide variety of architectural styles and geographic locations.

Born and raised in the suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri, Meredith credits her appreciation and interest in traditional architecture to the beauty of the 1920’s stone, French Chateau style building which housed the all-girls school she attended for middle and high school. Meredith attended the University of Notre Dame where she was able to formalize her education in classical architecture and cultivate traditional hand-drafting and watercolor rendering skills. In addition to studying abroad in Rome for her entire third year, Meredith has traveled extensively throughout Europe, the US and even to destinations such as Cuba to study historical and vernacular architecture around the world. Meredith graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Architecture and a Concentration in Furniture Design. 

Meredith has served the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art (ICAA) as a mentor and coach for various programs and as an advisor on its Young Members Task Force (2016-2020). Furniture pieces designed and built by Meredith were selected and featured in the ICAA’s 2018 Young Practitioners Exhibition in New York City and have appeared in multiple publications.

Meredith holds NCARB accreditation and is a Registered Architect in the state of Connecticut. Any free time she has between practicing architecture and spending time with her husband and two young children is joyfully spent needlepointing.