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The 15 Best Residential Architects in New Hampshire

13 Min Read

Last updated on May 24th, 2024 at 12:54 pm

New Hampshire, the “Mother of Rivers,” is situated in the northeastern United States. It is known for its charming cities, vast stretches of wilderness, and beautiful streams. With about 1,300 lakes and forty rivers, it contains breathtaking vistas of quaint life, ideal for those wanting to live in a rustic atmosphere.

Finding the perfect home in New Hampshire is an immense responsibility. The list below contains the residential architects in New Hampshire, to assist people considering moving to the state. These were selected based on their awards, expertise in residential designs, and media coverage. Each firm also has an excellent track record of offering cost-effective services without sacrificing style or quality.


Bonin Architects

210 Main St New London, NH 03257

The best design solutions sprout from proper communication, cooperation, and the joint efforts of a remarkable architectural team and a client. This is what Bonin Architects, an architectural design firm established in 2008, is founded on. Principals and married couple Jeremy (AIA, NCARB, LEED AP) and Kimberly Bonin spearhead the firm’s team to provide a diverse set of personal skills and professional experience to turn a client’s vision into a unique residential design. 

Bonin Architects’ creativity and innovation bring unparalleled design solutions to each client inside and outside of the region. Its designs have garnered multiple awards in recent years, including the 2021 Excellence in Architectural Design in Traditional from the New Hampshire Home Magazine and the 2019 Merit Award from the AIA New Hampshire. The firm has also been featured in several publications, such as the New Hampshire Home Magazine and Forum Magazine.

Bonin Architects’ portfolio showcases numerous projects of different scales and types, from commercial to residential. The Clearview Lake Retreat in Webster, New Hampshire, stands out among its residential projects. With its wonderfully arranged outdoor areas and use of local building materials, it embodies the cottage experience provided by the neighborhood. The firm managed to reshape an overlooked house into a calming and convenient residence with dormers, balconies, and various  exterior materials that provide a warm atmosphere from the outside view. This project won the Excellence in Landscape Design and the Excellence in Architectural Design from the New Hampshire Home Magazine and the AIA of New Hampshire, respectively. 


DeStefano Maugel Architects

22 Ladd St, Portsmouth, NH 03801

DeStefano Maugel Architects is devoted to transforming  spaces into functional and remarkable environments that propel progress and creativity. Founded in 1995, the firm has converted client visions into innovative residential and commercial design concepts. Led by Brent Maugel, AIA, and Lisa DeStefano, AIA, LEED AP, the firm’s skilled team exceeds clients’ expectations while nurturing a long-term relationship. Throughout the firm’s run in the industry, it has garnered numerous awards for its innovative design solutions, including the Bob award in 2018 and 2016, as well as the 2016 People’s Choice Excellence.

DeStefano Maugel Architects develops fresh and novel design solutions from the commercial sector to residential homes. This featured project, the Lake House Living, is the firm’s quality design of a Tudor residential house at Lake Winnipesaukee. The residence’s design includes a fantastic beachfront property with incredible views along the shoreline edge and ideal solar orientation. The firm also applied a spacious design of the lounge, dining, and kitchen areas, all with lake vistas, to provide an environment that’s conducive to big gatherings of friends and family.


Sheldon Pennoyer Architects

64 North Main St, Suite 1 Concord, NH, 03301

Founded in 1995, Sheldon Pennoyer Architects reside at Concord, New Hampshire, to provide unique fitting designs of residences and institutions that blend with their surrounding landscapes and ultimately create an environment worth being in. Principal Sheldon Pennoyer, AIA, LEED AP, leads the firm in this journey to exceed clients’ expectations through excellent designs. Under his leadership, the firm has received several awards, including the Excellence in Architecture from the Hampshire Chapter of The American Institute of Architects (AIANH). Sheldon is also currently a member of the State of New Hampshire Board of Licensure and a past Director of the AIANH.

Sheldon Pennoyer Architects’ portfolio entails a wide range of residential designs, from modern and contemporary to luxury homes. This featured project is one of the firm’s renovation designs with additions in Center Harbor. This small-scale home integrates traditional New England architectural features, as shown by the use of wood and fieldstone, with an original mid-Century modern design. The design of the house ensures a simple, functional space where one can live in comfort.


SDA Architects

6 Central House Rd, Holderness, NH 03245

SDA Architects is one of the longest-running architectural firms on this list. For over four decades, the firm has delivered architectural services and design solutions for projects of different types and scales throughout the state of New Hampshire. To ensure that its clients receive the best design solutions, the firm employs three registered architects, two graduate architects, two administrative staff members, and two consulting architects. The firm’s expertise and quality designs have enabled it to garner several awards, including the 2018 Merit Award and the 2018 Renovation Design Award.

SDA Architects’ residential portfolio consists of designs of modern, luxury, and lakeside homes. Featured below is the Squam Lake Residence, a lakeside home that blends perfectly with its environment. The design includes a modest cedar and pine footbridge that allows the stream to flow while allowing residents and visitors to admire the lake. The interior of this lakeside house combines the feeling of modernity with rustic elements. 


Christopher P. Williams Architects, PLLC

4 Stevens Ave, Meredith, NH 03253

Sustainability and excellence, threaded into design solutions, propelled Christopher P. Williams Architects, PLLC to become one of the region’s premier architectural firms. Located in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, the firm has provided excellent designs through sustainable practices and cost-effective services for four decades. Christopher P. Williams, AIA, NCARB, founded the firm in 1984, and since then, he has prioritized reducing the environmental impact by combining solar, geothermal, and other sustainable technologies into client projects. The firm has received several awards throughout the years, including the 2019 Merit Award for its Excellence in Architectural Design in Residential. 

For many years, Christopher P. Williams Architects, PLLC has worked with historical structures and residential homes. One of the firm’s remarkable designs is the Camp Askatichi on Squam Lake. This striking residential property provides its occupants with a tranquil place in which they can unwind and breathe in fresh air. The rustic blend of materials offers warmth and comfort, complemented by an incredible lake view. 


TMS Architects

1 Cate St Eldridge Park Portsmouth, NH 03801

Since its establishment in 1984, TMS Architects has delivered design solutions to New Hampshire and New England for almost four decades. By comprehensively understanding its clients’ goals, the firm transforms  their visions into innovative, practical, and aesthetically appealing design concepts. Principal Partner John Merkle, AIA is in the forefront of the firm’s progressive nature. In 2010, he was awarded with the Clinton Sheer Award for Excellence in NH. Under his leadership, the firm devotes itself to designing sustainable and functional spaces imbued with passion and elegance. This commitment has allowed the firm to win multiple awards for its residential designs, including the 2017 AIA Honor Award Honor Award for its design of the Lakeside Maine Cottage. 

TMS Architects has designed stunning residential properties in a mix of luxury and modern designs. This particular project, the Country Abode, is a beautiful Shingle family home. The design of the home’s facade welcomes its residents with sunken openings, arched windows, and an entrance stacked with stones. The interior of the home contains big, open-plan living areas that prove perfect for large families and gatherings. With wood beams, brackets, picture rail, wood accents, wainscoting, and cabinets that connect them, these large spaces stay cozy.


Scully Architects

59 Charcoal Rd Dublin, NH 03444

Scully Architects is a firm that carefully manages residential projects, and other project types, through intensive problem-solving methods and strategies. It believes that thorough planning and under-budget executions are the key points when building the perfect home, and it understands that a home is an integral part of someone’s life. 

The leading architect is Daniel Scully, AIA and NCARB. He has a reputable work history and credentials, which he brings within his management of the firm and its personnel. He worked on several projects before the firm, which now enables him to lead the firm toward success. 

Kenyon or Kenyon House is a fine example of the firm’s accomplished houses for its clients. It has several beautiful features, including a cedar shingle, a wide embroidered entryway, and columns that separate the wooden porches. It also has two floors and floor plans for increased space and functionalities. It is situated close to a mountain, which contributes  to its calm atmosphere. 


CJ Architects

233 Vaughan St, Portsmouth, NH 03801

Straddling the line between a client’s vision and perfect design concept is the design firm CJ Architects. Established in 2002, the firm utilizes collaboration and communication to fulfill the architectural needs of a client and design timeless spaces. The firm is known for its consistency, and this has allowed it to win several awards, including the 2018 Excellence in Historic Renovation Award and the 2018 Honor Award for a Small Building/Small Firm. Whether it’s for a commercial structure or a residential home, the firm’s hands-on approach integrates practicality, space utilization, and a versatile architectural style perfect for a client’s vision. 

This featured project is the firm’s design of a custom home in Rye, New Hampshire. The coastal cottage aspect of the house is preserved, but the inside has been updated to a modern, clean-line style that reflects  the firm’s extensive experience in maintaining the integrity of existing structures while designing to fit modern living needs. Through a collaborative approach, CJ Architects designed a beautiful space where one can live, work, and play in comfort.


Frank Anzalone Associates

224 Main St New London, NH 03257

In 1991, Frank Azalone began his career within the architectural industry in a small, developing company where he soon began to learn and work on different architectural services. In 2004,  he decided to utilize his skills and management capabilities and establish his own firm, Frank Azalone Associates. 

He has accomplished massive  feats, including the construction and designing of a diverse array of projects—big and small, for public and private clients. The firm is AIA and NCARB-accredited and is registered in over fifty states, including New Hampshire. 

The firm has worked on and accomplished several residential and commercial projects all over the United States, as provided in the portfolio. This project is an example of their residential project, Pleasant Lake Residence. This lakeside home was formed through renewable and sustainable methods in order to preserve the surrounding environment. It has a primarily rustic atmosphere, resulting from the  use of wood and stones. Frank Anzalone Associates considers this one of its greatest works. 


Fiorentino Group Architects

500 Market St, Suite 1E Portsmouth, NH 03801

Fiorentino Group Architects is driven by its heartfelt sense of customer-client relationships. It strongly believes that building a strong connection with its clients enables it to bring their dream homes from a vision to reality. With the use of 3D design technology, it forms its concepts around its clients’ needs. 

At the forefront of the firm is Scott Fiorentino, the principal architect behind the firm and its success. He has over three decades of experience in the architectural industry and shares his knowledge and craft with his firm to help them thrive. Under his management, the firm has earned accreditations such as AIA, NCARB,  and LEED AP. 

Below is Roaring Rock Point, a massive cottage-style home. This house has a gray color scheme on the exterior, along with features such as a cedar shingle, white accents around the windows, and french window panels. The interior design, on the other hand, includes vinyl floorings, an indigenous stone trait, and elaborate woodwork, creating a cottage-like, homey feel. 


Dennis Mires P.A. The Architects

697 Union St Manchester, NH 03104

Multi-award-winning firm Dennis Mires P.A. The Architects is a multifaceted architectural company that offers a wide array of services for each of its clients. From initial programming to additional design services, the firm provides  top-tier quality assistance. 

Several of the firm’s earned prestigious awards are Gold Award, AIA New Hampshire “Honor Award for Excellence in Architecture,” and AIA New Hampshire Citation Award. The firm also has certifications such as AIA, USGBC, LEED, and NCARB. 

Featured below is Deering, NH, Residence, a sculpturally inspired residential home. This home has a modern design with the incorporation of stone crafts, such as in the stone cladding walls in the exterior of the house. The interior features a luxurious set of furniture and materials, which contribute to the premium atmosphere. With multiple levels and floor plans, the spacious area contains various  features and functionalities. The home also features a pool for recreational activities.


BMA Architecture

12 Middle St Amherst, NH 03031

Established in 1993, BMA Architecture now has over twenty-eight years of experience and service in the architectural industry. It focuses on practicality and aesthetics and employs experienced professionals who have worked together for several years, ensuring strong relationships with clients and maximum work efficiency. 

The firm has been accredited by several associations, such as AIA, AAIA, and NCARB, which demonstrates its dedicated performance. It has also been recognized by publications, including the NH Home Magazine in 2019, Business NH magazine in 2018, and Yankee Magazine in 2019.

Private Residence II is an excellent example of its accomplished residential project designs. This mix between modern and traditional-style homes demonstrates  how simplicity is key to improving a family’s life. The exterior of the house features traditional characteristics while the exterior has a modern feel. Its design plan creates an inviting, relaxing atmosphere for both residents and guests. 


Alba Architects llp

137 Main St North Woodstock, NH 03262

Alba Architects LLP is a special and dependable architectural firm that has earned its reputation through its utilization of state-of-the-art technology to fully visualize and actualize a client’s dream home. It understands how advanced technology enables it to excel, as compared to traditional planning and designing. It utilizes  technology-driven construction techniques to create dream homes for its clients. 

The firm is spearheaded by two principals, Stuart Anderson and Philip Bennett. Both architects have an outstanding educational and work history and actively participate in several architectural endeavors to further hone their craft. Together, they manage the firm in bringing out the best possible homes that content its clients. 

Featured below is Lakes Region Lake House, a mid-sized lakeside home for its clients that highlights design caliber oversize. The design features a primarily stone design, with hints of wooden materials incorporated within the walls, chimneys, decks, and furniture. This environment overall gives the home a rustic and homely feeling where people can live in comfort. 


Eagle Pond Studio

464 Eagle Pond Road Wilmot, NH 03287

Eagle Pond Studio is an amazing architectural firm that has a collective experience of over fourteen years, as brought on by the principal architect, Jessia Cook, AIA. After establishing the firm, she laid a foundation of having a set standard for building projects, listening to clients and paying attention to the tiniest details to deliver great results. 

The firm is also AIA-accredited and certified, resulting from its meticulous and attentive principles. It has also been featured in several publications, including NH Home Magazine 2017 and Dwell. The firm always  satisfies its clients, and it continues to focus on surpassing clients’ expectations.

Hillock House is a prime example of what the firm provides. The home is a result of a renovation project which transformed the space into a modern area while incorporating the heirlooms of the previous design. The resulting space contains sustainable materials and a  timeless quality and design, with elegant furniture, oak materials and floorings, and hybrid insulation. 


PHB Architects

114 Bay St Unit O, Manchester, NH 03104  

PHB Architects has operated for four years, managing both commercial and residential projects. With a specialized team of professionals, the firm employs efficient methods to exceed its client’s expectations, delivering projects of elegance and practicality in each of its projects. It is led by Paul Bourbeau, AIA and NCARB, who enhances the everyday lives of clients who seek  the firm’s assistance and expertise. 

Below is Rustic Cabin, a two-story residence with an earthy appeal. It has primarily wooden features and a shed roof, as well as stone designs that contribute to the mountain-style design. It has an arts and crafts design in some parts of the house, including the garage and living room. 

Author

  • Shahe Demirdjian

    Shahe is an Editor at Home Builder Digest with around four years of experience as a writer and editor in the construction space. Shahe has always had a huge interest in commercial/residential construction and real estate. On top of his experience at Home Builder Digest, he has two years of experience as a Construction Partner Specialist at BuildZoom and six years of experience as a licensed real estate agent. In his work, he takes advantage of his expertise to take complex technical jargon from those realms and transform them into accessible, engaging content, blending his business administration expertise with a degree from Arizona State University with his experiential insights. Expertise: Architecture, Home Design and Build, Home Remodeling Key Highlights: Arizona Real Estate - Licensed Salesperson Education: Arizona State University - Bachelors in Business Administration