We are passionate about preserving the best of our region’s historic buildings and are fortunate to live in an area of our country rich with architectural heritage. Building our company, M&A Architectural Preservation, which combines our passion and expertise to preserve and restore New England’s finest historic institutional and commercial buildings, is a privilege and a great source of pride for us. We thrive on retaining the rich architectural history so others can learn from and enjoy their beauty for many years to come.
We specialize in the following areas of historic building architectural preservation and restoration:
- interior millwork
- exterior millwork
- windows and doors
- structural repair
- millwork installation
We have earned state and national recognition for award-winning restoration projects and are renowned for our expertise in preservation carpentry including mastery in wood window and door restoration.
Sue wears both the finance and business development hats for M&A, plus she still throws in a hand on project management if needed, although she has ceded her former role as a field superintendent. Her easiest role is supervising her team, because they all do such a great job for M&A. When forced to leave her desk and have some fun elsewhere, she can sometimes can be convinced to jump on a plane and head off to foreign ports for a week or two, clutching the phone and the computer of course.
MBA, Nichols College; BA English Literature, Brown University.
A master craftsman and a preservation professional, Rich is the center of M&A’s technical expertise. He leads the company in adaptation of new technology for preserving historical structures and he is the lightning rod for our most challenging building restoration problems. He has had a passion for preservation since he began restoring colonial homes on Providence’s East Side back in 1970. When not engrossed in a restoration project, you may find him about 30 miles due east of Salem Harbor, enjoying a day of fishing. He has been known to bring home cod for Thanksgiving dinner!
BA Philosophy, Brown University.
Once an apprentice carpenter with M&A, Robb has had his hands on every facet of our business. From the field and shop work doing dutchman repairs, glazing, and epoxy consolidation, to the office work of estimating new projects, enforcing scope on current projects, budgeting potential changes, and tracking costs, Robb has done it. Rejoining the company some five years ago, Robb has worked his way from Project Engineer to Project Manager and is now in control of our largest projects. In his free time, he is very likely headed out to the golf course, from opening day until well into December.
MA, Philosophy, University of Leeds; BA, Philosophy, University of Massachusetts – Amherst
Gelmira (Gelly) joined M&A immediately out of high school as a carpentry apprentice and now is responsible for running all of M&A’s construction projects. She is known for her positive “can-do” attitude and her technical knowledge of preservation. In her spare time, she loves to travel and spend time with her family.
UBC Leadership Training; Wentworth Institute, Tech Construction Management; Carpenters’ Apprenticeship; Greater Lawrence Technical High School, Degree in Carpentry, Top 10 in graduating class.
“Working with M&A is a collaborative partnership. Sue and Rich bring expertise, craftsmanship and quality to the “hands on” work and deliver the product within the confines of contemporary project contract scenarios. The value added in informed problem solving serve the project team and the buildings themselves.”
Pam Bailey, Project Executive, Bond Brothers
“One advantage of working with M&A is M&A has the ability to forecast complications that may not be fully addressed in construction documents well in advance of their arising as problems during the work’s unfolding on site. Their experience with sensitive building conservation over past decades makes it possible to manage project time and costs more simply because of fewer delays and less unforeseen labor. Workmanship stays at a very high standard from project to project.”
Henry Moss AIA, LEED AP, Principal, Bruner/Cott and Associates
“I have worked with M&A on several renovation projects since 2008. Their highly-skilled team has consistently delivered superior quality in a safe and timely manner. I would strongly recommend M & A for any historic restoration project requiring skill and dedication.”
H. Neil Benner, LEED AP BD+C, Project Executive, Gilbane Building Company
“Of the many preservation professionals that I had the opportunity to work with and learn from, M&A is one of the premier contractors I know. The passion and commitment to excellence Sue and Rich bring to projects both small and large always results in the finest of workmanship (Rich Muckle is one of the finest joiners I have ever met). Their projects always exceed original expectations, something I’ve witnessed first-hand for over thirty years in historic preservation. I have always, even during the most difficult undertakings, been pleased and proud to be associated with M&A’s final results. This experience leaves me with the hope to have the Muckles’ and their team involved in any of the preservation projects that I may be working on.”
W. Lewis Barlow, IV, FAIA, FAPT, Senior Historical Architect (Retired), National Park Service, US/DOI
“I have had the great privilege of working closely with Sue and Rich Muckle for years on the restoration of many significant historic New England landmarks. The quality of the M&A experience is threefold; the craftsmanship and use of traditional building techniques is excellent, the research into original details and offering period appropriate solutions goes above the normal expectation, and the management of the projects is done fairly, honestly and with a very high level of professionalism. We look to Sue and Rich when we need a very high level finish product with a certainty of outcome and no surprises.”
Carl Jay, Director of Historic Preservation, Shawmut Design and Construction
