A Look Back at 2025 for TMS Architects & Interiors

A Year in Review- 2025

For the team at TMS, 2025 was one for the books. From a new office to new colleagues (and babies) to exciting new projects, much has changed over the past year. As the New Year approaches, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the milestones, both meaningful and memorable, that shaped the last 12 months.

Honoring TMS Founder John Merkle

Reflecting on a Lasting Legacy

We begin this year-end reflection by honoring John Merkle, one of TMS’s founders. John’s passing marked a profound loss for our team. His vision, leadership, and dedication helped shape not only the architecture firm we are today, but also the culture of collaboration, integrity, and care that continues to guide our work.

More than 40 years ago, John helped build TMS from the ground up. His passion for historic preservation led to the restoration and revitalization of many beloved New England landmarks that continue to be appreciated today. We remain deeply grateful for the foundation John laid and for the lasting impact he has had on our colleagues, clients, and surrounding communities.

As we reflect on 2025 and look ahead, our goal is to honor John’s vision in the work we do every day.
Click here to learn more about John and his legacy.

Looking Ahead While Honoring the Past

Guided by John’s legacy, 2025 was also a year of growth and transition for TMS, and one that brought meaningful change to how and where we work together.

New Office

A New Space for Collaboration

One of the most notable changes for our team this year was not one, but two office relocations. After 20 years in our longtime home at One Cate Street, we relocated to a temporary space while final touches were completed on our permanent space.

Now, four months into our new long-term office at 2 International Drive, we’re enjoying a thoughtfully designed environment that supports collaboration with clients and colleagues alike. With updated technology and a design studio that has doubled in size, the space reflects how our firm continues to evolve. We look forward to putting the finishing touches in place and welcoming partners and clients in for a visit. And while the new office space may not fall into the historic preservation category, we hope that revitalizing an existing office space and its embodied energy would get a thumbs up from John!

New Colleagues

Welcoming New Talent to the Team

As our project pipeline grows, so does our team. In 2025, we welcomed four new (and new-ish) faces to TMS.

• Sicilia Sturk joined us full-time in January after graduating from Suffolk University with a BFA in Interior Design, following her time as a TMS intern in 2023.

• Leah Wyner came on board in February as our Marketing Coordinator.

• Kristina Pereira joined the finance and administrative team in March and has quickly become an essential part of daily operations.

• Most recently, Senior Project Manager Scott Sprague joined the firm, bringing more than 25 years of experience in high-end residential design and commercial project management.

We’re thrilled to head into the new year with this talented group as part of the TMS team.

Life Updates

Celebrating Milestones Big and Small

On a personal note, several team members celebrated exciting life milestones this year. Dan Santacroce and his wife, Sam, welcomed baby Luca in May, and Ellie Hayes and her husband, Rickie, welcomed baby Maisie in June. There were also a couple of first birthdays celebrated, with Amy Hartmann and her husband Eric’s daughter Noemi turning one, and Mike Cerbone and his wife Sara’s son Cole turning one as well! We’re delighted for the growing families, and ready for the kids to get working on their drafting skills (kidding…).

Some TMS colleagues also saw new parts of the world in 2025, with Jason Bailey travelling to Scotland, Amy Hartmann to Aruba, and Lafe Covill enjoying some time in Mexico, to name a few. 

(Not So) New Colleague Milestones

Celebrating Long-Term Dedication

In 2025, TMS proudly celebrated its 41st year designing homes and buildings throughout New England and beyond. As we surpassed four decades in business, we also recognized several architects and designers who celebrated 10+ years with the firm:

• Shannon Alther, AIA — 29 years

• Kraig Kurtenbach — 27 years

• Tim Giguere, AIA — 25 years

• Jason Bailey, AIA — 24 years

• Robert Carty, AIA — 22 years

• Lafe Covill, Associate AIA — 13 years

• Cristina Johnson, AIA, NCIDQ — 12 years

Their dedication continues to shape the quality and consistency of our work.

Completed Project Highlights

Designs Brought to Life

Several uniquely beautiful residential projects reached completion in 2025, including a historic carriage house revival, a timber-framed lakefront home, and a 990-square-foot guest cottage. Explore our newly photographed projects:

• Timber Point 

• Carriage House Revival

• Winnisquam Shore

• Shingle-Style Guest Cottage

• Countryside Gallery

• Modern Farmhouse Renovation

In-Progress Project Highlights

Looking Ahead to 2026

Alongside completed work, our in-progress builds advanced this year as well, with some set to finish in the coming months. From a colorful, modern oceanfront home to a classic lakefront gambrel, we’re excited to bring these designs to life for our clients to enjoy.

Stay tuned for updates on these projects, and for exciting commercial work currently underway.

2025 Recognitions

Industry Highlights and Honors

It is always a joy to have our work recognized by other professionals within the industry, and this year we had the pleasure of being acknowledged by peers and industry publications including:

• Ocean Home Top Coastal Architect 2025: New Hampshire

• John Merkle Preservation Achievement Award (NHPA)

• NHH Remodeling/Renovation Winner – Portside Revival

• Modern Luxury Interiors: Best New Hampshire Architect

Additional features appeared in Maine Home + Design, New England Home, and New Hampshire Home, and we even had a Lego replica of our Seaside Classic created, which we would say is an unexpected yet touching highlight!

• Artist Retreat featured in Maine Home + Design

• Ocean Contemporary featured in New England Home

• Shingle-Style Guest Cottage Featured in New Hampshire Home

• Mighty Views Featured in New Hampshire Home
• Featured in New England Home: Tips for Designing Coastal & Lakefront Homes

Closing Note

Looking Forward

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re grateful for all of the personal and professional accomplishments that have helped define the year. From new team members and new family members to new projects and shared traditions, TMS continues to evolve while staying true to its roots.

As we head into 2026 and our 42nd year as a firm, we wish our colleagues, clients, and community a happy and healthy New Year. We hope that 2025 has treated you well, and we want to thank you for being part of our journey. And, as our other TMS cofounder, Bill Soupcoff, would say- Keep up the good work! We’re looking forward to all that 2026 has to bring. Cheers!