WHO’S WHO

Rob Sanders. PrincipalRobert A. Sanders, Jr., AIA

PRINCIPAL

Rob Sanders founded Rob Sanders Architects in 2003. He became fascinated by historic buildings after growing up in an antique house in Connecticut which was rich in local history and countless hands-on projects and went on to receive a Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University and coursework at The Graduate School of Design at Harvard University. Licensed since 1984, his experience includes a 22-year association with Faesy & Sanders Architects before founding his eponymous firm. Before that, he worked at Perkins and Will in Washington, DC. A longtime resident of Wilton, Connecticut, he is a graduate of Wilton High School.

Rob Sanders is a registered architect in the states of Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts with N.C.A.R.B. certification, and is an active member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and AIA Connecticut.

He currently serves as Chair of the Town of Wilton’s Architectural Review Board/Council of Public Facilities. Ogden House, a HUD subsidized housing facility in Wilton, has counted Mr. Sanders as a board member since 1998.

Rob Sanders is a member of the Advisory Committee of Wilton Library’s Brubeck Collection. The Collection was established by Wilton’s own jazz legend, the late Dave Brubeck and his wife, Iola, as a “living archive” of Dave’s long and illustrious career as a celebrated musician and composer. Designed by Rob Sanders Architects, the archival space is reminiscent of the Brubeck family’s former home with its Japanese motif, shoji screens and a distinctive curved fireplace.

A perennial volunteer, Rob Sanders was President of the Board of Trustees of Wilton Library from 2021 – 2023, and before that Vice-President and a trustee for four years. Mr. Sanders led the Town of Wilton’s Conservation Commission for six years as Chair during his ten-year service. At historic Norfield Congregational Church in Weston, he has held leadership positions including Chair of the Board of Trustees. He has also served as Board President of the Wilton Arts Council, and as a trustee of the Wilton Congregational Church.

In addition to his passion for exploring social history through architecture, his other interests include travel, gallery and museum visits, music, sailing, gardening, and home renovation. He lives in a renovated 1880’s barn with his wife Allison.

Robert A. Sanders, Jr., AIA

Robert A. Sanders, Jr., AIA

PRINCIPAL

Rob Sanders founded Rob Sanders Architects in 2003. He became fascinated by historic buildings after growing up in an antique house in Connecticut which was rich in local history and countless hands-on projects and went on to receive a Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University and coursework at The Graduate School of Design at Harvard University. Licensed since 1984, his experience includes a 22-year association with Faesy & Sanders Architects before founding his eponymous firm. Before that, he worked at Perkins and Will in Washington, DC. A longtime resident of Wilton, Connecticut, he is a graduate of Wilton High School.

Rob Sanders is a registered architect in the states of Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts with N.C.A.R.B. certification, and is an active member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and AIA Connecticut.

He currently serves as Chair of the Town of Wilton’s Architectural Review Board/Council of Public Facilities. Ogden House, a HUD subsidized housing facility in Wilton, has counted Mr. Sanders as a board member since 1998.

Rob Sanders is a member of the Advisory Committee of Wilton Library’s Brubeck Collection. The Collection was established by Wilton’s own jazz legend, the late Dave Brubeck and his wife, Iola, as a “living archive” of Dave’s long and illustrious career as a celebrated musician and composer. Designed by Rob Sanders Architects, the archival space is reminiscent of the Brubeck family’s former home with its Japanese motif, shoji screens and a distinctive curved fireplace.

A perennial volunteer, Rob Sanders was President of the Board of Trustees of Wilton Library from 2021 – 2023, and before that Vice-President and a trustee for four years. Mr. Sanders led the Town of Wilton’s Conservation Commission for six years as Chair during his ten-year service. At historic Norfield Congregational Church in Weston, he has held leadership positions including Chair of the Board of Trustees. He has also served as Board President of the Wilton Arts Council, and as a trustee of the Wilton Congregational Church.

In addition to his passion for exploring social history through architecture, his other interests include travel, gallery and museum visits, music, sailing, gardening, and home renovation. He lives in a renovated 1880’s barn with his wife Allison.

Clare Rainone

Clare Rainone

Architect

Clare Rainone is a registered architect in the state of Connecticut, with N.C.A.R.B. certification. She received her degrees from University College Dublin in Ireland, where she was born and raised. As part of her six-year architectural studies she spent an academic year at Oulun Yliopiston, the University of Oulu, in Finland, on a European exchange program. She also spent a year gaining work experience and traveling extensively; she visited Japan and Peru and a few places in between! It was during this period that she met her American husband. Upon completing her studies she did an internship with the Exhibition Department at the Guggenheim Museum, New York before working for a year with an architectural practice in Dublin. Upon moving to the United States permanently she worked in the commercial studio at Roger Ferris + Partners before turning to residential architecture.

Immediately prior to joining Rob Sanders Architects she worked with Amanda Martocchio Architecture + Design. She has lived in Wilton with her husband, two young children, and two labs for 9 years. When children permit she enjoys swimming, sailing, skiing, running, reading and traveling! She appreciates being immersed in the Wilton community; living, working and having kids attend Wilton schools.

Charles C. Corrente

Charles C. Corrente

Architectural CAD Technician

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.

After moving back to his childhood home in the mid-2000s, he designed and built a new 2-story, 3-car garage/studio to replace the existing dilapidated 1-story structure.

Charles is the proud father of two children and recently became “Pop-Pop” for the second time.

Ramon “Monti” Portillo

Ramon “Monti” Portillo

Architectural Designer

Ramon “Monti” Portillo earned his BS degree in Interior Design from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, and is an Allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). Earlier, he obtained an Associate degree in Architectural Engineering Technology from Norwalk State Technical College. Monti is an Associate member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Monti’s work experience focuses on historic renovation and restoration projects. Prior to joining RSA, he worked at DCA Architects and Planners and Culpen and Woods Architects and has hands-on experience including ten years of running his own design/build/contracting business in the Southern Fairfield County area.
He enjoys swimming, sports, hiking, music, and languages.

Andrew Almeida

Andrew Almeida

Architectural Designer

Andrew Almeida joined RSA in 2023. A Connecticut native, he interned at the firm while pursuing his undergraduate studies. Andrew graduated with a 5-year Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from the University of Miami (FL) with minors in Urban Studies and Art. As part of his academic endeavors, he studied abroad in Rome, Italy for a semester and traveled extensively throughout Europe.

Upon graduating, he worked at Schafer Buccellato Architects in New York City focusing on high-end classical residential architecture. Andrew is a skilled designer and draftsman with expertise in producing detailed 3D models and renderings for projects.

Personal interests include sketching, watercolor painting, and exercising, specifically playing in a men’s ice hockey league.

Willa Ratner

Willa Ratner

Office Manager

Willa Ratner joined the RSA team in 2016 as Office Manager, quickly adding Bookkeeper and Adobe Suite guru to her roles. With a background in copy writing, graphic design and advertising, she spent the previous decade-plus running her own graphic design business with a focus on non-profits and the arts. She enjoys cooking and creating new recipes, book clubs, visiting family and friends in her hometown outside DC, and any time spent on a beach. She and her husband raised their sons in Wilton where they continue to live with their beloved dog.