Market Square Architects PLLC was established in 2016 by Adam Wagner AIA and Robert Harbeson AIA, with a focus on providing great value and impeccable attention to design with every client we serve. Our headquarters are located in the heart of Downtown Portsmouth, NH and we manage projects across the country in both the residential and commercial sectors. In 2018 the firm acquired Allan Nutt Architects in Austin, Texas to better serve our clients in the Southern Region. In 2023, MSA announced its second acquisition, establishing an additional presence in Nashville, Tennessee.

Market Square Architects has a staff of over 40 people, with 10 licensed architects. We design projects nationwide, from small renovations to complex multiphased $100M ground-up projects and everything in between. No matter where you are, or how big your project may be, we provide excellent design services at fair and reasonable prices.

Listen – Our approach starts with the simple premise of listening. We want to understand your goals and vision for the project so the design solution can be focused on meeting those goals and the outcome is a successful one. It is essential to build a relationship before you can design and construct a building and the first step is defining a clear understanding of the services to be provided.

Design – Design is an integral component for any architecture firm.  We focus on finding creative design solutions that meet the needs and the budget.  We assist our clients in navigating the decision-making process so that decisions can be based on aesthetics, value and life cycle maintenance costs.

Deliver – Our blend of creative design and technical abilities sets us apart.  Our wealth of experience navigating approvals, permitting, the construction process and representing the interests of our clients helps to ensure that a project is completed with the same focus and energy as when it begins.

Adam L. Wagner AIA, LEED BD+C, ACHA
Partner

Adam has more than 23 years in the industry, including working at some of the largest firms in the Northeast, a well-established boutique firm and a local start-up that grew to more than 50 employees under his leadership. He leverages his experiences at each of those firms to provide executive level leadership to both the office and also the projects and clients that he works with. A member of the prestigious American College of Healthcare Architects (ACHA), Adam also has worked extensively in the multi-family housing and commercial office markets. His lengthy portfolio includes such notable projects as the Elliot at River’s Edge in Manchester, NH, the historic Mill 240 in Lawrence, MA and a wide variety of commercial workspace environments at the Sundial Center in Manchester, NH. Adam received his bachelor of architecture degree from Syracuse University and a master of science degree in real estate and construction management from the University of Denver. Adam formerly served as the board president for HOBY Maine and was a board member for Plan NH. He is currently the board president for the Southeast New Hampshire chapter of Habitat for Humanity. When not working hard, Adam likes to golf and spend time at the lake with his wife Beth on their 1947 Chris Craft Runabout. 

Robert J. Harbeson AIA
Partner

After completing the Civil Engineering program at the University of Delaware with a minor in art history, and working in the field, Rob headed off to the University of Maryland where he received a master’s degree in architecture. He has spent 24 years in the field, starting at a large commercial office in Maryland before transitioning to a high design, boutique office in Takoma Park, Maryland. Since 2003, Rob has occupied a leadership role in a small local firm, in New Hampshire, before founding Market Square Architects. Rob’s areas of expertise lie in both the design and technical side of the business. He excels at navigating the requirements of the building codes and city approval processes. Rob’s project experience has run the gamut; from high-end restaurant fit-ups to high-tech industrial spaces. He has worked on hundreds of custom residential projects including renovations and additions as well as ground-up homes, and many requiring approval processes in local Historic Districts. Rob is a past board member of the New Hampshire HomeBuilders and Area HomeCare and a former chairperson of the Great Bay Kids Board of Directors. He is currently a Board member of the Portsmouth Music and Arts Center (PMAC) and enrolled in the 2019 class of Leadership Seacoast. He enjoys spending time out of the office with his wife Ginelle and their two boys.