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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.