About

With a team of 35 professionals in strategic planning, architecture, and interior design, Maugel DeStefano Architects provides expertise across the full spectrum of design services—from long-range master planning to large, complex construction projects and asset repositionings.

Recognized for design excellence, we were awarded the 2025 NH Home of the Year by the NH Home Design Awards and named 2023 Architecture Firm of the Year by the Boston Real Estate Times for our outstanding work in commercial real estate.

History

Architect Brent Maugel established the firm as Maugel Architects in 1993 laying the foundation for our legacy of design excellence. In 2018, we marked our 25th anniversary by expanding our leadership team, naming Jonathan Cocker, Mike Kunz, Mark Pelletier and Dan Barton as principals alongside Brent to support continued long-term growth.

 

The following year, we acquired DeStefano Architects of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, adding custom residential and urban-infill expertise and expanding our capacity across New England. Founder Lisa DeStefano was named a principal in the combined firm.

We later unified our brand identity under the name Maugel DeStefano Architects, reflecting the rich legacies of both firms. 

Today, the firm is owned by Principals Jonathan Cocker, Mike Kunz, and Mark Pelletier, who are equal majority shareholders and oversee the firm’s daily operations. Together with Principal Lisa DeStefano, they continue to build upon the firm’s legacy as we pursue continued growth and design excellence. 

Our Approach

Relationship-building is an important
part of what we do.

Taking the time to understand what's important to our clients is one of our core values. We bring more to you than just drawings on a piece of paper that can be priced for construction. Mutual respect, understanding, and openness are the keys to designing a project that expresses not only a shared goal but a shared vision. 

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Giving Back

Our mission is to enrich the lives of
others through the creative use of our collective talents.


Meaningful community service is not only supported, it is encouraged. We enthusiastically support each individual's desire to enrich their community and to give back to the causes they hold dear. Some of these efforts have grown into annual events supported on a corporate level. Others, remain individual passions which Maugel DeStefano supports through monetary donations, employee volunteer workdays, and a charitable matching program. It is our hope that the community relationships we build will be as meaningful and timeless as our architecture. Below are just a few of the charities we've supported since our inception in 1993.

Join Us

We believe that great work comes from challenged, stimulated, happy people.  Our work environment is lively, down-to-earth, and supports a work-life balance.  We embrace differences. Everyone's expertise and opinions are valued, and egos are checked at the door.  If we sound like a good fit, we'd love to talk with you.

Meet the Team
Job Openings