new england architecture
See our blog for new projects, announcements, and all things TMS Architects & Interiors.TMS Named a 2025 Top Coastal Architect by Ocean Home Magazine
We’re honored to be recognized by Ocean Home Magazine as one of the nation’s Top Coastal Architects for 2025 and proud to represent the beautiful New England coast!
For more than 40 years, our team has been dedicated to designing timeless, thoughtful, and unique homes that celebrate the enduring traditions of New England coastal architecture. From weathered shingle-style retreats along the Maine shoreline to contemporary waterfront homes, each of our projects is designed with craftsmanship, context, and connection to place in mind.
This recognition is a reflection of the work of our entire team, our trusted collaborators, and the wonderful clients who invite us to bring their visions to life along the coast.
We appreciate Ocean Home Magazine for the recognition, and those who continue to inspire our pursuit of design excellence by the water.
Explore some of our featured Coastal Homes Portfolio to see what makes seaside living so special to us.
TMS Architects & Interiors Celebrates 20 Years of New England Home Magazine
For more than two decades now, New England Home has shined a spotlight on the region’s most iconic architecture and design, and we’ve been fortunate to have many of our projects and people featured within its pages. From editorial highlights to awards, our partnership with the publication has always reflected a shared appreciation for craftsmanship, creativity, and the timeless character of New England homes.
This week, our team had the pleasure of joining New England Home Magazine and many familiar faces from across the region’s design community to celebrate the publication’s 20th anniversary as a leading voice in New England design.
As one of ten founding partners, TMS Architects & Interiors was honored to serve as an exclusive sponsor in the magazine’s recent September–October issue, continuing a valued partnership built on shared dedication to craftsmanship, creativity, and timeless New England architecture.
The celebration took place at the stunning Cumar Marble & Granite Showroom, where guests were surrounded by beautiful stone displays, warm conversation, and a curated menu (complete with caviar). The evening was a wonderful reminder of the power of connection within our region’s vibrant design community.
In the midst of our day-to-day routines, it’s always meaningful to pause and gather with like-minded professionals who share the same goal, which is to keep New England design distinctively beautiful, enduring, and unique.
Congratulations to our friends at New England Home on 20 noteworthy years. We’re proud to have been a part of your journey from the start, and we look forward to many more years of celebrating design together.
Featured in New England Home: Tips for Designing Coastal & Lakefront Homes
Tips for Designing a Home on the Water, From TMS Architects & Interiors
What we’re about to say won’t shock you. Designing or renovating a home, especially a waterfront home, can feel overwhelming. With so many ideas, decisions, and site-specific factors to consider, knowing where to begin is often the hardest part. That’s where we come in.
At TMS Architects & Interiors, we help guide clients through the process by offering clarity, experience, and expert advice. Recently, New England Home Magazine sat down with Cristina Johnson, a Principal Architect and lead Interior Designer at TMS, to discuss what makes waterfront home design unique, and what homeowners should consider when planning a house by the ocean, a lake, or any water-adjacent site.
Waterfront Home Design Considerations
Designing a home on the water comes with a beautiful set of opportunities and some thoughtful challenges. In this article, Cristina shares insight into key design decisions, including:
-
Window Size and Placement
To maximize views while managing glare and exposure. -
Material Selection
Choosing finishes that withstand salt air, sun, and seasonal conditions. -
Color Palettes
How coastal light affects paint colors and interior selections.
Whether you’re building along the New England coast, on a lakefront lot, or overlooking a harbor, your home should respond to its surroundings while reflecting your lifestyle and personal aesthetic.
Read the Full Feature
You can read more of Cristina’s insight on the New England Home Magazine website:
Thinking About a Potential Project?
We’ve worked with our clients to design homes on the ocean, on the lake, in the city, and everywhere in between. If you’re planning on building or renovating your home and want guidance from a team that understands and considers both site and story, contact us or explore our portfolio for more inspiration.
Inside Our Featured Shingle-Style Home on the Water – New England Home July/August Issue
Weaving through the picturesque roads of coastal New England, it’s easy to spot the region’s signature architectural styles; from classic shingle-style homes to Colonial, Greek Revival, and Victorian influences. While these styles are familiar, each custom home tells a unique story shaped by client vision, site-specific constraints, and the natural character of the land.
Our Ocean Contemporary project is no exception. Designed with a blend of New England coastal charm and Floridian inspiration, this modern shingle-style waterfront home reflects our clients’ family roots and lifestyle priorities.
Featured in the July/August issue of New England Home Magazine, the home’s story is told through the lens of our senior project manager, Lafe Covill, who shares insights on balancing client desires with the complexities of a tight, waterfront lot.
The final result? A custom waterfront retreat that combines elegant architectural details with a comfortable, livable interior. A home that is timeless, functional, and rooted in place.
📖 Read the full article and explore the Ocean Contemporary project here:
Modern Shingle-Style Home Balances Sleek Design and Water Views – New England Home Magazine
TMS Cofounder John Merkle Named 2025 NH Preservation Achievement Award Winner
Last night was a special evening. We celebrated one of our cofounders, John Merkle, and his winning of a 2025 Preservation Achievement Award through the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance at the beautiful Tilton School. John dedicated over 45 years of his life to helping preserve and revive many of New Hampshire’s historic sites, with highlights including the Wentworth by the Sea Hotel, the Portsmouth Music Hall, and Bridges House in Concord.
From L to R: Principal Architect Jason Bailey, TMS Cofounder John Merkle, Principal Architect Shannon Alther.
Along with his professional contributions, John’s volunteerism is also outstanding, as he has served as a president of the New Hampshire chapter of the AIA, as well as chair of his hometown Exeter Historic District Commission, among other endeavors.
John received his award from leaders of the NH Preservation Alliance.
Tilton School’s Fred A. Smart Chapel, where the award ceremony was held.
We are so happy to see his hard work and dedication recognized and spend time reflecting on the past 41 years of TMS with one of its founders. Congratulations to John and thank you for the foundation that you laid for the TMS legacy!
Celebrating 22 Years of Architectural Excellence with Principal Rob Carty, AIA!
Today we’re celebrating the 22-year TMS anniversary of one of our long-time principals, Robert Carty, AIA, LEED AP!
A few years after graduating from the University of Colorado with a master’s degree in architecture, Rob ventured back home to the East Coast. Joining our team as a project architect in 2003, he rose through the ranks to earn the title of principal by 2007.
Rob has designed many of our firm’s prominent residential projects, including both renovations and new builds, as well as over a dozen branch banks. His extracurriculars happen to be just as impressive, as Rob received his commercial pilot’s license in 2004 and continues to fly as a member of the Civil Air Patrol.
We thank Rob for all of the hard work, time, and innovative designs he has provided us over the years!
Backyard Chickens and Building Plans: Architects with a Passion for Poultry
All the talk about eggs, chickens, etc. this weekend had us realizing many people don’t know a little fact about some of our team members. A few call it friendly competition, others call it the egg wars. Regardless of your viewpoint, two of our very own, Job Captain Ellie Hayes and Project Architect Mike Cerbone, are proud chicken raisers.
Pictured: Ellie’s chickens
Pictured: A few of Mike’s roosters and hens in front of their custom-made coops.
When they’re not busy designing houses, Ellie and Mike have an interest in caring for their hens and roosters, raising baby chicks, and providing our team with the freshest eggs we could ask for. Given their occupations, most would not be surprised to know that both Ellie and Mike designed and built their backyard coops (does anyone else need custom chicken coop blueprints?). While it can come with some loud mornings, additional cleaning, and extra responsibility, they both thoroughly enjoy the hobby. With 4 years of chicken ownership under his belt, Mike and his wife continue to find joy raising their chickens, and Mike enjoys the friendly office competition that comes with having a fellow chicken owner on the team. It’s been about 2 years since Ellie and her husband first began nurturing the farmyard birds, and she has learned to appreciate the unique personalities and quirks of each one. Although the endeavor has its ups and downs, both Mike and Ellie have no intentions of giving up their chicken-related pastimes (have you seen the price of eggs lately?!), and our team appreciates the first-hand stories and fresh eggs that come from their experiences. Whether they’re in the design studio or out by the chicken coop, the passion, attention to detail, and patience Ellie and Mike hold doesn’t go unnoticed here at TMS.
Pictured: Some of Ellie’s baby chicks.
Pictured: Ellie’s chicken abode mid-construction.
Pictured: Perks of Mike and Ellies’ hobbies for their TMS colleagues.
TMS Celebrates 3 years with Dan Santacroce!
This past week, we celebrated 3 years with Senior Project Manager, Dan Santacroce!
Dan has been in the architecture industry for about 11 years and got his start after graduating from the Wentworth Institute of Technology with a master’s degree in architecture. Many aspects of his day-to-day role are ones he’s come to love, but the most rewarding part of the job for him is the establishment of successful working relationships with clients. He appreciates being able to help see clients’ dream projects come to fruition, with the ultimate goal of exceeding their expectations.
Several of the projects he initially began working on with us are reaching their final stages, so we are excited for Dan to see his hard work pay off and, as a company, we strive to continue with his same mentality of meeting and exceeding our clients’ expectations.
Happy 25th TMS Anniversary, Tim Giguere, AIA!
This week we’re celebrating 25 years with Principal Architect Tim Giguere, AIA! A New Hampshire native, Tim has long appreciated the timeless and unique architecture found in New England. He initially earned a degree from New Hampshire Technical Institute and later earned a master’s degree from The Boston Architectural College. Tim joined TMS back in 2000 as a project manager and earned the title of Principal in 2017. After joining the industry, he found his way back into the academic setting for a period of time, also serving as an adjunct professor at the University of New Hampshire where he taught Architectural Design Studio.
He has made his mark through the execution of many stunning projects and continues to prioritize creating unique homes for our clients. In terms of inspiration for the work that he does, Tim says, “I enjoy helping clients visualize what their project can be and surpassing their expectations. Our entire staff has talent, passion, and takes pride in the attention to detail that helps define our buildings.”
Our team wouldn’t be the same without him (also in part because he’s our go-to IT guy) and we appreciate all the beautiful works that he’s done and continues to do. Here’s to 25 more years, Tim!
Back in Time! Pictured from Left to Right: Principal Architect Jason Bailey, Senior Project Manager Kraig Kurtenbach, Principal Architect Tim Giguere
TMS Celebrates 29 Years with Shannon Alther, AIA!
Since 1996, Principal Architect Shannon Alther, AIA, has been a part of the TMS team. He initially joined as a draftsman, with a 3-foot-wide desk sticking halfway into the hallway and a dream. He became a principal of the firm in 2007 thanks to a lot of hard work, dedication, and adaptability.
Prior to TMS, Shannon attended New Hampshire Technical Institute, Keene State College, and the Boston Architectural College. Once he had completed his academic pursuits, Shannon spent his early career as a crew supervisor for building projects, a painter, and a hardwood grader. The combination of his extensive academic experience and array of work in the field turned out to be a perfect combination to successfully transition into the architecture space.
At TMS, Shannon is involved in all aspects of the company and all different phases of projects. He serves as a valuable mentor for those who are in the beginning stages of their careers as well as more tenured teammates.
It’s been 29 years since Shannon first joined our team, and we appreciate all that he has accomplished and taught us along the way!
What Makes Shingle Style so Distinguishable?
TMS Architects and Interiors has been designing beautiful New England homes in a variety of traditional and modern styles for over 35-years. One of those iconic styles is called Shingle Style. Of true New England origin, Shingle Style was made popular in the latter part of the 19th century and was inspired by the idea of a slower, simpler and romantic lifestyle. For this reason, you’ll find this style populating locations where relaxation is a way of life, such as the oceanside, lakefronts and mountainside retreats.
Read More
Blending in to Stand Out
As a New Hampshire based architecture firm, we have the pleasure of taking on projects in some of New England’s most beautiful and historic settings. This area is chock full of lush lakefronts, breathtaking coastal views, and idyllic downtown areas with centuries-old charm. When constructing a new building in a naturally beautiful setting, it just makes sense to take a cue from Mother Nature when it comes to design. Today, we’ll share some of our favorite designs that stand out by working with their natural surroundings.
Read More