MEET THE TEAM

ADAM WAGNER AIA, LEED BD+C, ACHA

Founder, Partner

Adam is a Founder and Partner of Market Square Architects (MSA) in Portsmouth, NH and Austin, TX. Adam has been an instrumental leader in the New England region for the past 20 years helping two prior firms make the Inc. 5000 list for fastest growing companies in consecutive years. He leverages his experiences at each of those firms to provide executive level leadership to both the office and also the projects and clients that he works with.  A member of the prestigious American College of Healthcare Architects (ACHA) and New Hampshire Board of Architects, Adam has worked extensively in the design of multi-family housing, industrial, commercial office, medical, education, assisted living, and education sectors.  Contributing to new buildings throughout Texas, New England and the East Coast through his design. Adam received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Syracuse University and a MS in Real Estate and Construction Management from the University of Denver. He lives in Dover, NH with his wife Beth and their two German short-haired pointers.

Favorite Quote: “There are many qualities which we need in order to gain success, but the three above all—for the lack of which no brilliancy and no genius can atone—are Courage, Honesty and Common Sense.” – Teddy Roosevelt

Favorite Project: Elliot at River’s Edge, Manchester, NH . We had an amazing team and worked in complete collaboration toward a common goal.  It was a difficult time across the industry; 2008, but we made the most of it and created lasting friendships.

Something interesting/fun about Adam: I’ve never had a hole-in-one in golf, but once holed out from 253 yards away.  #2 at Atkinson Country Club during a scramble tournament (we used my playing partner’s tee shot!)

Personal Strengths: Self-assurance,  Competition,  Arranger, Futuristic,  Strategic

MEGAN BROWN

Project Coordinator

Favorite Quote: “You are never given a dream without also being given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it, however.” – Richard Rach

Favorite Project: I like re-purposing projects though (I did one for my Capstone), I love seeing how spaces can be reused after their prior tenant has moved on, so out of the ones I’ve been helping on I’d say Seabrook Track.

Something interesting/fun about Megan: With a team of other students, I organized and ran a 1,000-person Relay For Life event during college that, in one year, raised over $100,000 for The American Cancer Society!

Personal Strengths: Includer, Belief, Discipline, Arranger, Developer

AUBREY BENNETT

Senior Project Manager

Favorite Quote: “You can spend all your time making money, you can spend all your love making time…” (Take it to the Limit/ Eagles)

Favorite Project: I don’t really have a favorite. All my projects have something unique and exciting about them. Whether it was the best collaborative team project, the project that taught the most, the best client, the most challenging; they all have made their lasting impressions.

Something interesting/fun about Aubrey: I like overnight winter hiking. My husband and I used to do an annual hike up Adams on New Years Eve. We’d stay over at Gray Knob or the Crag, hike/snowshoe down in the morning. One year we trailblazed down after a storm had come through the night before. Then there was that one time we didn’t make it to the shelter and we overnighted on the side of the mountain… But that’s another story on a different mountain.

Personal Strengths: Strengths: Achiever, Arranger, Included, Context, Significance

LYLE SMARR AIA, LEED AP BD+C

PROJECT ARCHITECT/TECHNOLOGY MANAGER TX

Favorite Quote: “We all need people who will give us feedback. That’s how we improve.” – Bill Gates 

Favorite Project: SMC Edgebrook 

Interesting/Fun thing about Lyle: I’ve hiked in 24 national parks in the US and have plans to visit all 58. 

Personal Strengths: Strategic,  Learner,  Relator,  Input,  Intellection 

BEN BROWN

Director of Business Development and Marketing

bbrown@marketsquarearchitects.com

Favorite Quote: “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”  – Dr. Seuss

Favorite Project: I promise I’ve never designed a building (just marketing materials) and you should thank me for that.

Something interesting/fun about Ben: I’ve worked in Construction, Sports, and the Beer Industry.  Sounds like a fun weekend activity waiting to happen.

Personal Strengths: Individualization,  Competition,  Achiever, Communication,  Arranger

CHRISTINA O’BRIEN AIA, CPHC

SENIOR Project Architect

Prior to joining Market Square Architects in January of 2018, Christina O’Brien co-owned and operated SISR Architecture, LLC. SISR is an acronym for Sustainable, Innovative and Socially Responsive design. While there, Christina worked on a wide range of “green” residential and commercial projects, most notably an earth berm home in Alstead, NH and the W.S. Badger Facility in Gilsum, NH. Her focus as an architect is to help design healthy and sustainable buildings that create a positive impact both for the people who use them and for the communities in which they reside. In further advancing her skillset Christina is a Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC) and one of only 17 CPHCs in NH.  Bringing extensive knowledge on further ways to create long-term ecofriendly green design options for her projects. Christina has also worked extensively in the design of industrial and manufacturing, master planning, historical and mill renovation, medical, and education sectors within the New England and East Coast.

Favorite Quote: “Do one thing every day that scares you.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Favorite Project: Haigh-Farr – it was exciting to see the project develop from some crude sketches on paper into a living, breathing facility.

Something interesting/fun about Christina: When I grow up, I want to be a pastry chef.

Personal Strengths: Restorative,  Harmony,  Learner,  Relator, Futuristic

CHRISTINE CASTALDO, AIA, LEED AP

DIRECTOR OF HOUSING

With over 25 years’ experience Christine Castaldo, AIA, LEED AP has led teams in a broad range of project types and sizes. She has focused her client centric approach for the past 10 years on large scale Senior Living projects, managing multiple projects simultaneously with expertise and success. An accomplished and dependable architect with a proven track record of client satisfaction. Christine thrives on collaboration and creativity in the design process contributing to new buildings throughout New England, Texas, and the East Coast as the Director of Housing for Market Square Architects.

Favorite Quote: “There is an art to flying, or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” –Douglas Adams

Favorite Project: Triple C5 Hangars for Lt Col Burkhart and the 167th AW West Virginia ANG

Something fun/interesting about Christine: I have backyard chickens and brew my own beer.

Personal Strengths: Ideation,  Achiever,  Arranger,  Relator,  Input

WHITNEY APGAR, LEED Green Associate 

PROJECT COORDINATOR

Favorite Quote: “Learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never fears, and never regrets.” – Leonardo da Vinci

Favorite Project: The Provident Bank Corporate Office in Portsmouth, NH

Something fun/interesting about Whitney: My family brought me on my first international trip to Scotland when I was 16 months old and I’ve had the travel bug ever since! In my lifetime I hope to visit 75 out of the 195 recognized countries. So far, I’ve explored nine different countries including Spain, Switzerland and Italy.

Personal Strengths: Context,  Achiever,  Learner,  Intellection,  Input

DANIELLE CAIN

Administrative Assistant and Marketing Coordinator

Favorite Quote: “We have so much time and so little to do. Strike that, reverse it.” -Roald Dahl 

Something fun/interesting about Danielle: I love cartoons and I like to collect children’s books. 

Personal Strengths: Harmony,  Restorative,  Adaptability,  Empathy,  Responsibility 

SOTHEA CHENEY AIA

Project Architect/Technology Manager NH

Favorite Quote: “Time’s fun when you’re having flies” 

Favorite Project: Lahive and Cockfield LLP at One Post Office Square

Something interesting/fun about Sothea: I am first generation Cambodian American and speak Khmer; I played a USTA National Doubles Championship at Indian wells during the BNP PARIBAS in 2011. 

Personal Strengths: Includer,  Adaptability,  Deliberative,  Consistency,  Achiever 

BAILEY SULLIVAN

PROJECT COORDINATOR

Favorite Quote:  “If you assume that there is no hope, you guarantee that there will be no hope. If you assume that there is an instinct for freedom, that there are opportunities to change things, then there is a possibility that you can contribute to making a better world.” – Noam Chomsky 

Favorite Project: Cancer Facility – Linear Accelerator Project with Kaiser Permanente Press

Something interesting/fun about Bailey: If given the opportunity for an alternate career, I would be a filmmaker. 

Personal Strengths: Restorative, Positivity, Includer, Adaptability, Developer

COURTNEY PATRICK, NCIDQ, LEED AP

DIRECTOR OF INTERIORS

Courtney Patrick is a fully certified NCIDQ designer for Market Square Architects in the New England region. With the ability to help clients create comfortable and spectacular environments through her interior design skills. A valuable asset to the MSA team, she brings a keen eye for style and knowledge through her previous work in multitude of sectors such as Single-Family, Multi-Family, Medical Office, Senior Living, and Commercial Office design experience in Portsmouth and throughout New England.

Favorite Quote:  “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”- Neal Donald Walsch 

Favorite Project: The Fresh Press, York, Maine

Something interesting/fun about Courtney:  I am an Interior Designer by day, a yoga, nutrition, and fitness junkie by night. 

Personal Strengths: Achiever,  Input,  Individualization,  Focus,  Adaptability 

JOHN RAMSAY

PROJECT MANAGER

Favorite Quote: “Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.” – Albert Einstein. 

Favorite Project: The Farnsworth House by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe  

Something interesting/fun about John: I am the 4th generation John Harold Ramsay. 

Personal Strengths: Achiever,  Developer,  Consistency,  Competition,  Relator 

PHILLIP SALTMARSH

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

Favorite Quote: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” – Seneca 

Favorite Project: Monarch School of New England 

Fun Fact about Phillip: My wife Jen and I enjoy hiking, having climbed all 48 of NH’s 4,000 foot mountains together.  

Personal Strengths: Input,  Adaptability,  Communication,  Includer, Activator 

TODD GIBB

Senior Project Manager

Favorite Quote(s): “A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes

Favorite Project: Crossroads Center, San Marcos, TX

Something interesting/fun about Todd: I took a NASCAR driving school at Texas Motor Speedway. I’m an Eagle Scout and a brother of Order of the Arrow.

Personal Strengths: Adaptability,  Strategic,  Relator,  Competition,  Restorative

ROBERT HARBESON AIA

FOUNDER & PARTNER

Robert J. Harbeson AIA, is a Founder and Partner of Market Square Architects (MSA) in Portsmouth, NH and Austin, TX.  With over 25 years in architecture and related fields, and the last 17 years in the New England region, Rob has successfully delivered a range of projects from single-family residential and commercial office to hospitality and industrial. This diverse background has developed an expertise with code and technical requirements as well as the approval processes for a wide range of project types. Rob has emerged as a leader in the local community and serves on several boards and agencies. Rob has worked extensively in the design of single-family residential housing, master planning, commercial office, medical, banking, recreation, restaurant, and education sectors.  Contributing to new buildings throughout Texas, New England and the East Coast through his design.

Favorite Quote: “I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” – Albert Einstein 

Favorite Project: A Rye, NH Single Family Home Residence – As an office, it was our first ground-up design, with a really enjoyable project team, and for a wonderful client who trusted us to be creative and help create a vision for them. 

Interesting/fun thing about Rob: I grew up in Delaware and once designed a bridge in Harrington for the State Department of Transportation, and I have visited 49 states. 

Personal Strengths: Restorative,  Ideation,  Strategic,  Achiever,  Belief 

Sarah Howard

Senior Project Manager

Favorite Quote: “Stop, collaborate and listen”- Vanilla Ice 

Favorite Project: Mill240 

Something interesting/fun about Sarah: I can juggle. 

Personal Strength:  Relator, Responsibility, Deliberative, Maximizer, Consistency 

JASON NIEUWEBOER

Senior Project Manager

Favorite Quote: “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.”  

Favorite Project: Mill240

Something fun/interesting about Jason: I am a competitive person so I always enjoy friendly competition and watching sports. 

Personal Strengths: Adaptability,  Competition,  Achiever,  Analytical,  Positivity 

ALLAN NUTT

PrINCIPAL EMERITUS

Favorite Quote: “The mind is like an umbrella – it functions best when open.”- Walter Gropius

Favorite Project: 26 Doors Shopping Center in Austin. A boutique retail center designed around 26 sets of magnificent old wooden doors found in central America.

Fun/Interesting fact about Allan: My wife thinks it is funny that I was president of the Slide Rule Club in high school. Pretty geeky!

GAVIN BOURBON

Project Coordinator

Favorite Quote: “Your biggest competition is the person staring back at you in the mirror.” 

Favorite Project: Guyton Residence

Something fun/interesting about Gavin: My summer job for 4 years was making candy at The Goldenrod in York, ME. 

Personal Strengths: Responsibility,  Adaptability,  Includer,  Arrange,  Individualization 

VERNON APGAR

Project COORDINATOR

Favorite Quote: “If you could kick the person in  the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn’t sit for a month.”  Theodore Roosevelt 

Favorite Project: Revision Military 

Something fun/interesting about Vernon: I’m a twin. 

Personal Strengths:  Analytical,  Deliberative,  Achiever,  Discipline,  Focus

ALLY RUGG

PROJECT COORDINATOR

Favorite Quote: “May you never forget what is worth remembering, nor ever remember what is worth forgotten.” -Irish Blessing 

Favorite Project: Anything residential! I like creating spaces that become homes.

Something interesting/fun about Ally: The best 10 days of my life were spent in Benin, Africa with my Masters studio. The people there were the most genuine and loving people and my class and I developed an amazing relationship with the community of Akpakpa Dodomey-Enagnon in Cotonou. When we got home, we spent the semester designing a health clinic for the community. Someday, my professor, classmates and I hope to go back and help them start building! 

Personal Strengths: Adaptability, Maximizer, Connectedness, Strategic, Relator

MICHAEL MURPHY

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

Favorite Quote: “Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt” – John Muir

Favorite Project: Residence Inn / Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott – Waltham, MA
I enjoyed the challenge of overseeing one of New England’s first dual-brand hotels. This property has 190 guestrooms with brand-specific design requirements. I like creating spaces that become homes.

Something interesting/fun about Michael: I completed the Presidential traverse in 2017, one of the great hikes in the eastern United States. It’s so-called because hikers climb all the 10 mountains over 4,000 feet in the Presidential Range of the White Mountains in one continuous hike that’s nearly 23 miles long with close to 9,000 feet of elevation gain. This journey ended in just over 16 hours.

Personal Strengths: Consistency, Positivity, Adaptability, Restorative, Achiever

MIKE ADAMS AIA, LEED BD+C

QUALITY CONTROL MANAGER

SARAH BAGO

PROJECT COORDINATOR

BENNY FONTANA

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Favorite Quote: “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity” – Albert Einstein 

Something interesting/fun about Benny: I love to cook and try different foods. One of my favorite foods to cook is Italian.

Personal Strengths: Learner, Responsibility, Achiever, Strategic, Arranger

DAVID GARDNER

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

Favorite Quote: “If everything seems under control, you’re just not going fast enough” – Mario Andretti

Favorite Project: My favorite project was the 9 story, 212,000 sf STEM Residence Hall at the University of Connecticut.

Something interesting/fun about David:  State pole vault champ 2 years in a row…and no, I’m not going to tell you what years.

Personal Strengths: Harmony, Achiever, Adaptability, Consistency & Relator

JAY LONGTIN, AIA

DIRECTOR OF COMMERCIAL

Favorite Quote: “Trust, but verify” – Ronald Reagan

Favorite Project: Any one where everyone is happy afterwards.

Something interesting/fun about Jay: I do not have a middle name.

Personal Strengths: Input, Deliberative, Restorative, Relator, Consistency

ROBIN TUFTS, AIA, LEED AP

SENIOR PROJECT ARCHITECT

Robin has been a project manager for 20 years working with senior living clients on a wide range of projects. With outstanding relationships with all of her clients, developing teams, and contractors. Robin has experience ranging new ground-up communities, updating standards and internal phased renovations.

SAMUEL SHACKELFORD

PROJECT COORDINATOR

Favorite Quote: “So It Goes.” – Kurt Vonnegut, Slaughterhouse-Five

Favorite Project: My first commercial project was the Sunday River Condos. It was a great learning experience, and it solidified my interest in commercial design.

Something interesting/fun about Samuel: I have travelled to 8 different countries and plan to go to many more in my lifetime. One of my favorite experiences was going to a music festival at the 1936 Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany.

Personal Strengths: Restorative, Discipline, Relator, Learner, Responsibility

JOSEPH WENTWORTH

PROJECT COORDINATOR

Favorite Quote: “People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.” -Dale Carnegie

Favorite Project: A small single-family residence in Portsmouth. It wasn’t the biggest or most extravagant project, but it was the first project I got to work on from the earliest phases all the way through construction.

Something interesting/fun about Joseph: Whenever I’m not working I prefer to spend my time outside on the beach, on the lake or in the mountains hiking or skiing. 

Personal Strengths: Communication, Achiever, Positivity, Woo, Futuristic

Vajreshwari Patil

PROJECT COORDINATOR

Favorite Quote: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” -Nelson Mandela

Favorite Project: ULI competition Project Miami – This project has taught me how to work in a team environment with different thinking minds and backgrounds.

Something interesting/fun about Vajreshwari: I have done glacier hiking in Alaska, Scuba Diving in Cancun. I love to eat spicy food.

Personal Strengths: Includer, Restorative, Achiever, Consistency, Harmony

MELISSA WORTH

PROJECT MANAGER

Favorite Quote: “The world is changed by your example.  Not your opinion.”

Favorite Project: 110 Fawcett, Cambridge, MA – a medical cannabis dispensary

Something interesting/fun about Melissa: When I was a year old, I was very small and my parents would affectionately call me “Little Girl”. My brother who is a year older than me couldn’t pronounce “little” so he called me “lily girl”. Since then, all those close to me refer to me as Lily.

Personal Strengths: Restorative, Developer, Harmony, Responsibility, Individualization

BEN HARTH

SENIOR PROJECT ARCHITECT

Favorite Quote: “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” – Leonardo da Vinci

Favorite Project: Casa Arabella in Oakland, California

Something interesting/fun about Ben: I have thru-hiked the entire Appalachian Trail and the section of the Pacific Crest Trail through California from the Mexican border to Oregon.

Personal Strengths: Ideation, Input, Connectedness, Learner, Relator