Jim Sanford of Sanford/Strauss Architects, has been a practicing architect for forty years now. From an office on Farr Lane in Waitsfield, Vermont he works throughout Vermont and the U.S. Known for his energetic spirit and creativity, his wide range of interest has led to projects in a broad spectrum from component design, lighting, and fabrication to city planning, including residential, industrial, and commercial projects.

His extensive construction experience results in the personally crafted quality that separates his work from other architects. Featured in the “New Americans” exhibition in Turin, Italy, he has been published and exhibited widely, most recently, in a one man show “Dreams Come True” at Norwich University. He has taught architecture extensively and regularly acts as a critic at architectural schools throughout 1974 the US. Sanford/Strauss is licensed in New York, Vermont, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, N.C.A.R.B. registered, and a member of A.I.A.

Practicing architecture from Vermont gives a unique view of different approaches to growth and development. Working from the Waitsfield office, Ellen provides architectural design and consulting services on a broad scale individual architectural components to residential and commercial design to large and small-scale and village planning. Ellen has led and been a team member for a wide range of planning projects including Village Improvement Plans, which focused on the repairing, maintaining or developing the local vernacular, streetscape, pedestrian and community feel. She is known for working closely with her clients to create the best possible project using as many local products and craftsmen as possible, at both ends of the budget spectrum.

Using a sustainable approach to materials and site, and a style that often incorporates the local vernacular, she has specialized in creating energy efficient architectural solutions throughout the Northeast. She is active in the local community in planning, recreation, trail and preservation issues and serves as a member of the Mad River Valley Rural Resource Commission / CLG and board member of Smart Growth VT.

Her previous work experience includes working for Philip Johnson Architect in NYC. Ellen is licensed in the states of New York, and Massachusetts, is registered with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, and is a member of the American Institute of Architects.