BUILT ON TRUST. BUILT FOR LIFE

The past builds who we are.

The future demonstrates what we can accomplish.

We are continually in forward motion, never resting on our success.

Our ongoing story is shaped by our belief that by being open and fluid, we can best respond to and leverage opportunities that organically emerge. It’s how we build resilience, spark our creativity, and continually transform possibility into reality every day. QA+M was founded on a core principle of trust. The relationships we build and nurture are our bedrock. From there, our goal is to do work that makes our clients happy. Our growth comes from achieving that goal.
1996
Paragon Design is Launched
What began as David Quisenberry moonlighting on residential design projects quickly grew through word-of-mouth into a highly sought after resource for meticulous architecture, construction, and trusted service. With this as his footing, David officially launched his business in Marlborough, CT to provide both architecture and construction management services. The name Paragon was selected because it means “a model of excellence.”
1999
Paragon Design relocates to Farmington, CT

As the company grew, David relocated the business to Farmington. This would allow the firm to continue to establish its reputation and more easily provide its architecture and construction management services throughout Connecticut and western Massachusetts.

2002
Tom Arcari joins the firm as a partner
Seeking creative freedom and a chance to merge his talents with his passions, Tom teamed up with David Quisenberry. The firm changed its name to Quisenberry Arcari (QA) Architects, and shifted its primary focus back to architecture. David’s proven architectural success combined with Tom’s knowledge of residential and capital improvement projects including municipal, recreation, commercial, healthcare, and multi-family/senior housing, brought a robust suite of professional architectural services to clients, and broadened growth opportunities for QA.
2002
QA relocates to 30 Stanford Drive in Farmington CT
QA hires Andrew Tarpill as the firm’s first official employee and soon adds several more professionals to the team. Their move to bigger office space supported their growth, and offered extra space for future expansion.
2004
QA’s growth continues

As the firm acquired more projects and hired more professionals, it quickly outgrew its office. QA decided to purchase and renovate 318 Main Street in Farmington. Initially the plan was to house QA as well as rent space to other businesses, but very soon QA occupied the entire building.

2005
QA creates Monarca Place
Their first joint project on a space with such unique and specialized usage, Tom and David bring Monarca Place to life in Middletown, one of a few of its kind in the country, and the first of its kind in Connecticut.  Monarca Place offers one and two bedroom housing units for hearing impaired elderly residents, and supports their ability  to live independently.
2010

Rusty Malik joins as the firm’s third partner

Emerging from a high-profile, 20+ year career underscored by a series of nationally recognized successes, Rusty’s restless entrepreneurial spirit compelled him to pursue something more.  He walked into David’s office one day and said he would love to take part in what QA Architects was doing. The addition of Rusty’s design acumen for education projects combined with David’s and Tom’s existing client base secured their position in the Connecticut market as a strong architectural force.

2016
QA establishes a foothold in Connecticut’s education market
With Rusty’s knowledge and project leadership, QA provides a comprehensive, 255,000-SF “like-new” renovation to Wethersfield High School, addressing the community’s educational program requirements and energy conservation needs. As QA’s first school project of this magnitude, the firm proves their unparalleled expertise in education design and construction.
2017
QA Architects becomes QA+M Architecture
To acknowledge and celebrate Rusty Malik’s contributions to the value of the firm, the letter “M” from Malik was added to the initials QA to create QA+M Architecture. The plus sign was intentionally used in the new logo to graphically convey the firm’s additive style of organizational growth. Having Rusty as a partner bolstered the firm’s abilities to secure large scale education projects, and enriched QA+M’s market potential. 
2017
QA+M Designs their New Home Office

As their project list and team of highly talented passionate individuals steadily grew, the firm knew it was time to create a unique space of their own. Their 10,000 SF Farmington studio is alive with color, natural light, and energy. It’s a creative home to the firm, and an invigorating destination for partners, employees, and clients who want a part in shaping innovative, meaningful design solutions.

2017
QA+M acquires Smith Edwards McCoy Architects

For decades, Smith Edwards McCoy Architects was recognized for its impressive architectural work in education design, as well as adaptive reuse and preservation of Connecticut’s heritage of civic buildings, schools, museums, and performing arts facilities. The decision to bring the  two firms together was driven by their shared passions and long-standing collaborative relationship. Having their team of experienced, talented professionals join QA+M, Smith Edwards McCoy expanded and strengthened QA+M’s capabilities, breadth, and depth of service.

2021
QA+M and Moser Pilon Nelson merge

Moser Pilon Nelson built a meticulous, 40-year, world-class architectural legacy, something QA+M long admired and respected. Conversations between the firms’ principals made their alignment of vision, ambition, and workstyle evident. The resulting merger not only combined their vast experience in recreation, community, and educational facilities, it brought a fourth principal into QA+M–James Bell, with his 30 years of experience and extensive healthcare design expertise.

QA+M Architecture is a full-service architectural firm that provides programming, planning and interior design for clients in commercial, community, education, healthcare, historical, housing, and recreational/athletic markets. Staffed by 34 dedicated professionals, including 17 licensed architects, QA+M has grown to be the 4th largest architectural firm in the Greater Hartford area.

ADDRESS

195 Scott Swamp Rd, Farmington, CT 06032

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