Highlighted Architect - Samyn and D'Elia

Ever since he was a child, Tom Samyn was interested in hand drawings, drafting, model building, problem solving and puzzles. When the time came to turn his childhood enjoyments and aptitude into a career, architecture provided a perfect way to do what he loved; solve problems. As he candidly puts it, "It has always been fun!" One skilled and talented architect is an asset as is, but Tom was destined to team up with another talented architect named Ward D'Elia. As Tom relates their beginnings, "Ward and I were working in an architectural office in Center Harbor, NH. During the late ‘70's, work dried up and we found ourselves collecting unemployment. We then decided to start our own architectural firm in 1980." The two proved to be a powerful team. It wasn't long after that they decided to form another partnership by becoming TIMBERPEG® Independent Representatives.

"Timberpeg was a good fit for us because we're architects who provide quality home design in an area that finds the timberframe structure both attractive and energy efficient." This relationship with TIMBERPEG® led Tom and Ward to design and build some very unique projects and helped them to form some long lasting relationships with some very satisfied clients. Tom is currently involved on a very unique project at South Peak Resort. "It has a curved room for reading and a stair tower to a ski bridge. The roof structure was tricky and challenging, but it has worked out."

Tom and Ward have never lost their love of problem solving and these two encounter hurdles everyday in trying to design a home which works for the client. Tom relates one of the current challenges he faces, "I am currently working on a lakeside project where the original house was demolished and the new building must respond to the setback requirements. These requirements are challenging because we must work the original elements into the house while adding a larger addition. Timberpeg has been great in helping us pull the design together using a large diagonal truss to join two wings. The design was challenging but the result will be beautiful."

Throughout their 20 years Tom and Ward have worked on countless projects and formed relationships with many customers throughout the region, however one project stands out in Tom's mind as perhaps the most important he's ever worked on. As he tells his story, "I guess my most significant and favorite client was a man who ran a textile company and wanted to build a house on Squam Lake. When the house was complete, he asked me to come by the house one Saturday. There I met a charming girl who worked for this client as his textile designer. The girl is now my wife and the mother of our two teenage daughters. I can not thank him enough!"

With so much to be thankful for and so many accomplishments, it would be easy to imagine the team wanting to slow down and take a break. But the love of design keeps this duo going strong. Successful project after project, they are a shining example of how teamwork and trust can lead to lasting relationships.