BUILT ON TRUST. BUILT FOR LIFE
The past builds who we are. The future demonstrates what we can accomplish.

Our story is largely shaped by the fact that we do not make predetermined plans. We remain continually open and respond to opportunities as they organically emerge. QA+M was founded on a core principle of trust. Trust in ourselves, each other, our clients, and our partners. The relationships we build and nurture on trust is our bedrock. From there, our goal is to do work that makes our clients happy. Our growth is the outcome of achieving that goal.

The foundation is set
When a tragic fire destroyed the Quisenberry’s lake home, Dave’s family turned to him to design and rebuild it. Dave’s father offered to pay him to leave his architecture job and focus on the lake house project, and Dave accepted. The deep appreciation for the value of trust that he gained from this unique experience shaped his moral code, as well as the foundation for Dave’s future business philosophy.

Paragon Design is launched
After securing many design projects from lakeside neighbors who admired Dave’s rebuilt lakehouse, he opened his first architectural business in Marlborough, CT to provide both architecture and construction management services.

1999 Paragon Design Relocates to Farmington, CT
Paragon Design is divided into two separate firms. Paragon would focus on high-quality architectural services, and a new entity named Clermont Construction Corporation would specialize in construction services.

Tom Arcari joins the firm as a partner
Seeking greater creative freedom and a chance to merge his talents and passions, Tom teamed up with Dave Quisenberry and the firm became Quisenberry Arcari (QA) Architects. Combining Dave’s proven architectural success with Tom’s knowledge of residential and capital improvement projects including municipal, recreation, commercial, healthcare, and multi-family/senior housing brought greater service strength to clients, and broader opportunity for the firm.

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.

QA’s growth continues
As the firm acquired more projects and hired more professionals, it quickly outgrew its space. 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 space.

QA creates Monarca Place
Their first joint project on a space with such unique and specialized usage, Tom and Dave bring Monarca Place to life in Middletown, CT, 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.
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 Dave’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 Dave and Tom’s expertise, secured their foothold in the Connecticut market as a strong architectural force.

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.

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. This 10,000 SF Farmington studio is alive with color, natural light, and creative energy. It’s a creative home to the firm, and an invigorating destination for partners and clients who want a part in shaping innovative, meaningful design solutions.

QA Architects becomes QA+M Architecture
To acknowledge and celebrate Rusty Malik’s contributions to the value and growth of the firm, the letter “M” from Malik is added with a plus sign to the initials QA, to create the unified name of QA+M Architecture.

QA+M acquires Smith Edwards McCoy Architects
For decades, Smith Edwards McCoy Architects was recognized in Connecticut for its impressive architectural work in education design, adaptive reuse and preservation of Connecticut’s architectural heritage of civic buildings, schools, museums, and performing arts facilities. The decision to join firms was driven by their shared passion for preservation, and a long-standing collaborative relationship. Smith Edwards McCoy strengthened QA+M’s credentials, and expanded its team of award-winning designers.

QA+M and Moser Pilon Nelson merge
For 40 years, Moser Pilon Nelson built a world-class architectural legacy. QA+M admired and respected their work and team of highly regarded design professionals. In conversations between the two firms’ principals, their alignment of vision, ambition and workstyle was evident. Both firms recognized the value they could provide to each other. The merger re-energized and preserved Moser Pilan and Nelson’s history, and increased QA+M’s overall strength and support for their clients and communities.
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 33 dedicated professionals, including 18 licensed architects, the firm has grown into one of the 10 largest architectural firms in Connecticut.
ADDRESS
195 Scott Swamp Rd, Farmington, CT 06032
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