TMS Architects, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was co-founded in 1984 by John Merkle and William Soupcoff. The firm is now located in quarters at One Cate Street, Eldredge Park, in space that has been transformed from a gritty auto parts warehouse into sleek and efficient studio and office space.

These two founding principals, along with new partners, Shannon Alther and Robert Carty, and a talented team of project managers, draftspeople and administrative staff, develop the program and schematic design for all of our projects. The majority of TMS's projects are initially designed by hand and the principal who is responsible for a specific project maintains direct involvement with that assignment from initiation through completion. This direct supervision ensures that TMS's rigorous quality standards are consistently maintained.

John Merkle, AIA, has been a registered architect for 33 years with multi-faceted design experience that includes new construction, adaptive reuse and historic preservation. A graduate of New York Institute of Technology, he has been past president of AIA NH, AIA New England, and is currently serving on the board of the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance.

William Soupcoff, AIA, a graduate of MIT, is responsible for design, management and construction administration of a variety of residential, educational and commercial projects. Under his supervision, TMS has been responsible for award-winning designs through New England, including the Builder's Choice Award and numerous AIA NH Awards of Excellence.

Shannon Alther, AIA, received his Masters Degree in Architecture from the Boston Architectural Center and his AIA Accreditation in 2006. He has been with TMS since 1996 when he joined the staff as a draftsman and has worked with the firm in many capacities, including project manager on the restoration of The Wentworth By The Sea Hotel in New Castle, New Hampshire.

Robert Carty, AIA, graduated from the University of Colorado in Denver with
a Masters in Architecture and was accredited by the AIA in 2006. He has worked with firms in Massachusetts and Colorado before relocating to New Hampshire, and brings a strong interest in sustainable design to TMS.