Essex Design Build
Coastal North Shore & Gold Coast
Coastal homes carry history, proportion, and material character. Remodeling them requires more than skill , it requires sensitivity to what already exists. We design carefully so what is added belongs.
Where Craft Meets Coast
Essex Design Build brings together architectural design, skilled craftspeople, and experienced trades into a unified design-build practice dedicated to Coastal and Historic Homes. Along the North Shore and Gold Coast, homes are not simply renovated, they are stewarded.
Our Design First approach begins with a thoughtful assessment of your home's character, structure, and setting. From there, we develop qualified design solutions presented with clear Good, Better, and Best pricing options, allowing you to move forward with clarity and confidence.
Design First for Coastal Homes
Every project begins with design excellence. We study proportion, materials, and the architectural language of your home before construction begins. Coastal properties demand particular care, weather, age, and historical context all matter.
Our role is to elevate your home while preserving its integrity.
One Day Plan & Price
Our signature planning service delivers comprehensive design concepts and transparent pricing options — often within a single day. This disciplined approach ensures that ideas are explored and resolved before work begins, preventing costly surprises later.
Integrated Design & Construction
From initial concept through final detailing, our designers, builders, and specialists work in coordinated sequence. Clear communication and disciplined execution ensure that craftsmanship matches intention, and that your finished home reflects thoughtful planning at every stage.
The Leadership Behind the Work
Joe Dellanno
Design Principal
Gordon Gauntlett
Design Build Specialist
Joe Dellanno -- Design Principal
Joe Dellanno's career began in architectural drafting and evolved through more than forty years of hands-on building experience. In 1994, he founded Design Solutions Inc. (DSI), guiding contractors and homeowners through the emerging Design-Build movement at a time when few projects began with a true design-first process.
His work across kitchens, additions, restorations, and full-home remodels reflects a deep respect for proportion, material authenticity, and practical construction knowledge.
At Essex Design Build, that experience is applied with particular sensitivity to Coastal North Shore homes, where history, climate, and craftsmanship intersect.
Gordon Gauntlett -- Design Build Specialist
Gordon oversees execution across Coastal North Shore and Gold Coast projects, coordinating skilled trades and qualified regional contractors to ensure design intent translates faithfully into built results. Sequencing, accountability, and communication remain central to every project.
Serving Coastal North Shore & Gold Coast Communities
Essex Design Build focuses on homes that demand architectural care and disciplined construction. We serve homeowners along the Coastal North Shore and the Gold Coast who value design integrity and long-term stewardship.
The Essex Standard
Thoughtful design.
Careful planning.
Respect for architecture.
Every project reflects disciplined execution and a deep understanding of coastal living.