Who's Who

Robert A. Sanders, Jr. AIA
Principal
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Rob Sanders is a registered architect in the states of Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts with N.C.A.R.B. certification. He received a Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University in 1981, and has undertaken additional studies at The Graduate School of Design at Harvard University. A longtime resident of Wilton, Connecticut, he is a graduate of Wilton High School. He founded Rob Sanders Architects LLC in 2003. Mr. Sanders is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), AIA Connecticut, and the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation. Licensed since 1984, his experience includes a 22-year association with Faesy & Sanders Architects, including 15 as Principal. Before that, he worked at Perkins and Will in Washington, DC. An active member of the AIA and Connecticut AIA, Mr. Sanders is involved in a number of civic organizations as well. He currently serves on Wilton's Council of Public Facilities. Ogden House, a HUD subsidized housing facility in Wilton, has counted Mr. Sanders as a board member since 1998. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Gamma Chapterhouse Association at Cornell University. Mr. Sanders led the Wilton Conservation Commission for six years as Chair during his ten-year service. He is currently Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the historic Norfield Congregational Church in Weston, and has also chaired their Music Committee. In addition, he has also served as past Board President of the Wilton Arts Council, and as a trustee of the Wilton Congregational Church. Other interests include travel, gallery and museum visits, sailing, gardening, music, and home renovation. He lives in a renovated 1880's barn with his wife Allison and son Ian.

Robert Gardner White, Jr.
Architectural Designer
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Design, client relations, and project management are all part of Rob White's responsibilities. His design skills and knowledge of vernacular architecture, combined with his broad project management experience have made him an invaluable member of the team. Prior to joining Rob Sanders Architects in early 2004. Mr. White worked for Sapienza & Lessig, Architects & Planners for 12 years. There he was project and office manager, designer and also provided on-site construction supervision. His major projects included the expansion and renovation of a circa 1900 Connecticut library, and a new 7,500 square foot residence in Vermont which incorporated a heavy three-story timber frame, 18th-century colonial details and salvaged architectural features from a historic Connecticut house. In 1994 Rob earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Roger Williams University School of Architecture with a minor in Landscape Architecture. During his college years, Rob also studied Architectural and Urban Design hosted by the Czech Institute of Technology in Prague, Czech Republic. He is an Associate Member of AIA Connecticut and a member of the Bethany Historical Society. A native of Bethany, Connecticut, Mr. White lives with his wife, Lynette and their two children Stephanie and Robert. He has designed and built a new vernacular-style residence on his family farmland there, and is a weekend warrior, working on cabinetry and interior finish details.

Ramon "Monti" Portillo
Architectural Designer
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Joining RSA in early 2006, Monti Portillo is responsible for design development, construction document preparation and project administration. A native of El Salvador, Central America, Mr. Portillo has lived in Connecticut for 18 years, and is proud of his dual citizenship. While in El Salvador, he studied engineering and surveying, and was co-founder of a construction/design firm. In 1993 Mr. Portillo earned an Associate Degree in Architectural Engineering Technology from Norwalk State Technical College and is nearing completion of a BFA from Western Connecticut State University. He is an Associate Member of AIA Connecticut. In his prior position at DCA Architects & Planners, he had the opportunity to work on renovation designs for a number of period structures, including the 1893 Governor's Residence (now the Ridgefield Community Center). With other architectural firms in the area, Mr. Portillo gained considerable experience in residential, commercial and community projects. Monti lives in the Silvermine area of Norwalk with his wife Amy and their daughter Lilliana. He relaxes with swimming, coaching soccer, music, and home renovation.

Charles C. Corrente
Architectural CAD Technician
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Charles Corrente brings great depth of experience to his responsibilities in preparing schematic designs, and construction documents for the firm's many projects. Prior to joining RSA in 2005, Mr. Corrente was a draftsman for the West Haven firm Sapienza & Lessig, Architects & Planners. There he gained expertise in drafting for both residential and commercial construction projects. He is also talented in the almost lost art of hand drafting. Charles is a 1987 graduate of Platt Regional Vocational Technical School in Milford, Connecticut. While there, he won several state-wide drafting awards from the Connecticut Home Builders Association. An avid Star Wars fan and collector, an entire room in his home is devoted to memorabilia. If you saw the 2007 Rose Bowl Parade, you may have seen Mr. Corrente in full storm trooper regalia; he is also a member of the 501st Legion of storm troopers, a world-wide Star Wars costuming group. He resides in Seymour with wife Patty and their son Conner.

Barbara Schmidt, Allied Member ASID
Tile and Texture Principal/Interior Designer
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With over 20 years of experience in residential design, Barbara Schmidt founded Tile and Texture in 2003, and soon formed an exclusive consulting affiliation with RSA. Ms. Schmidt describes her design approach: "I seek to establish a narrative within residential settings complementing the inherent beauty of the architecture with tile and stone, color palette, textiles, furnishings and art. I have always admired the handsome, well-executed aesthetic of Rob Sanders work, and respect his sensitivity to antique homes. My first experience working with Rob was on a substantial renovation for my own turn of the century home; I found we shared a respect for beautiful natural materials, and we collaborated on interior design input from the early phases of the project. I enjoy working with clients, listening to their design needs and preferences, walking them through the many products and materials available and coming up with the perfect solution for their project." With expertise and a passion for handmade tile, custom glazes and natural stone, gained during a five year stint at a well know tile and stone studio in South Norwalk, she is well positioned to offer clients her skills in designing tile solutions for bathrooms and kitchens, from semi-precious stone mosaics, and "art tiles" to unique custom back splashes. Services also include color selection, art and rug consultation, custom window treatments, lighting and furniture selection. Ms. Schmidt holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interior Design from Purdue University, and is an Allied Member of the ASID (American Society of Interior Designers).

Ellen D'Ascenzo
Office Administrator
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Ellen D'Ascenzo joined RSA in 2004, and is responsible for providing support for the principal, architects, and draftsmen. She issues contracts, produces master specification documents, and orders finish products. With her great laugh and high energy, she is an important part of the firm - the veritable glue which holds the place together. Ellen brought with her a background of extensive experience in administrative services in the building trades. She previously worked at Artisan's Designers & Builders in Ridgefield, Brown Associates of Norwalk, and at Condon Brown Builders in Norwalk. A long-time resident of Wilton, Ellen lives with her husband Anthony, son John (a recent Bates College grad) and daughter Nicole, where they recently survived an extensive renovation of their home. She is an active member for the Southwest Region for the Coalition of Inclusive Education, a member of STAR in Norwalk, and advocates for children and adults with special needs.