The Studio

David Matero

David Matero Architecture, and before that, DayMatero studio, has provided renovation and new construction design and planning services for projects that include residential, retail, restaurant, schools, offices, and entertainment architecture.

Born and raised in Norway, Maine, a rural town about an hour north of Portland, David grew up playing outside – baseball, golf and skiing. After completing his architecture degree at Roger Williams University, he started his architecture career at a medium-sized health-care firm in NYC.

The majority of David’s professional experience in NYC was with the firm RG Roesch Architecture and Landscape Architecture (RGR). David spent seven years at this small firm and greatly benefited from the firm’s diverse portfolio. As an associate with RGR, David was involved in the design and documentation of multiple zoos, museum buildings, private residences, parks, as well as a high-rise synagogue.

In New York, David met and married his wife (who happens to be from Bath, Maine). The couple’s seven-year-itch was their realization that they belonged back in their home state to raise their son near family.

David’s diverse experience in New York fit well with the Portland firm Stephen Blatt Architects (SBA). In 2001 the family relocated to the coastal community of Harpswell. For seven years as a project manager for SBA, David directed many successful projects (public schools and residences) and eventually managed the firm’s residential studio.

The skills and expertise David earned while working with Geoff Roesch in NYC and Stephen Blatt in Maine enabled him to venture into a partnership with lighting designer Greg Day. The DayMatero studio, a partnership in architecture and light, brought together David and Greg’s 40+ years of professional experience and launched their dream to design practical, economical and beautiful spaces together.

In 2011, David and Greg split companies, but continue to work together. David Matero Architecture is the culmination of almost 30 years of experience in a variety of projects providing design and planning services.

When not in the studio, David tries to attend as many USA soccer team games as possible, kayaks, plays golf when time allows, and is trying very hard to travel. David is a past board member of Main Street Bath, a program that focuses on promoting and preserving the culture and heritage of this thriving community of Bath, and is currently a board member of Maine AIA as well as the Maine AIA representative on the board of MUBEC (Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code). David is also on the Board of Trustees of the Maine State Music Theater and on the Board of Directors of the Bath/Brunswick YMCA.

Cathy Matero, MLS

Cathy grew up in Bath, graduated from Morse High School and went off to see the world. Along the way she earned a BA in History and a Masters degree in Library Service. In her NYC library career Cathy provided corporate research in both the media and financial services industries.

In 1991 Cathy and David met while both living in New York and have been together ever since. In 2001 they returned to Maine with their son, Oskar, who is now attending University of Maine.

Here in Maine Cathy rediscovered her childhood love of local history and enjoyed working in the library and archives of the Maine Maritime Museum. Currently, Cathy runs the administration side of the David Matero Architecture, takes care of her family, and is involved in community theater.

Scott Sancomb

After working in large architecture firms in Rhode Island and Massachusetts since college, Scott, and his family, relocated to Maine to work at DMA in 2019.

Scott and David met while at Roger Williams University School of Architecture. Scott brings almost 35 years of professional experience in all levels of architecture and building types to DMA.

Sophi Swaim

Sophi Swaim joined DMA with experience in both architecture and landscape architecture firms.

Sophi Swaim is a 2010 graduate from the University of Virginia’s School of Architecture. She and her husband lived on their sailboat for four years while working in Portland, Maine. She first worked for two years for Mohr & Seredin Landscape Architecture and then took a year off to travel with her new husband, Travis. They sailed for three months and 2,000 nautical miles, and made a round trip from Portland, Maine to Prince Edward Island. Upon returning to Maine, she worked at ALPHAarchitects for one year before joining DMA in the summer of 2014. Sophi and Travis moved from their sailboat to Bath soon after their son, Felix, was born in 2013. Their daughter, Hazel, was born in 2015 and completed their family.

When she’s not working, Sophi loves sailing, hiking, snowshoeing, playing outside, and wrangling her two energetic children. She is always interested in sustainability and energy efficient design and is a certified Passive House Design Consultant.

Allison Henderson

Allison Henderson is a 2009 graduate from the University of Kansas’ School of Architecture and Design.  She moved to Spain for a year to teach and upon returning spent the next 10 years working in education in Minnesota, Guatemala and finally Maine teaching Architecture, Spanish and Youth Dance.  She did a few contracted architecture projects during this time including work with the firm HayDobbs in Minneapolis as well as two projects in Tzunana, Guatemala.  She spent 6 years teaching at the Hyde School in Bath, Maine and joined DMA in 2020.

Her husband Tripp works in the Wilderness Education Industry and they have three young children.

When she is not working you can find her dancing, getting ready for the next family travel adventure or out on the boat with her family either lobstering or exploring.

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Alex hanson

Alex is a 2012 graduate of the University of Tennessee, who first joined DMA from 2012-2014. After getting married and relocating to New Hampshire, she spent over four years specializing in lighting design at an engineering firm. Later, she made the switch back into architecture, working as a designer and project manager at Bonin Architects, a high-end residential firm. Now, in 2023 she is excited to be back with DMA.

During her time in NH, Alex and her husband fully renovated an 1880s farmhouse. In 2020, they welcomed their daughter, Quinn, and in 2023, their son, Jett.

When not in the office, Alex enjoys spending time with her family, travelling, and is currently involved in developing nearly 300 acres of family land in Mt. Vernon

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