Scott Butler, AIA

Founding Director | Architect

Whether accentuating connections to the sea for cruise-ship guests, or the talents of performing artists for patrons, by creating intimate theater spaces, my goal is to create a setting that will stir imaginations, leave lasting memories, and enrich our lives.

Scott is a founding partner, hence the “Butler” of Wilson Butler Architects. He and co-founder Scott Wilson have worked together for more than 25 years designing for arts, entertainment, and higher education. The firm’s many highly successful projects are the result of the innovative and collaborative style that he and Scott Wilson have developed together.

Scott’s creativity and focus defines and refines each of WBA’s projects. Scott brings an inventive approach and well-developed problem-solving skills to each project WBA undertakes. He is a steady rudder to the firm, providing insightful leadership and design direction while promoting an inclusive environment where opinions are encouraged and the next generation’s leaders are empowered to move our team forward.

Scott’s award-winning work includes Celebrity Solstice Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, with The Lawn Club boasting the first real lawn at sea; The Huizenza Pavillion at Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Ft Lauderdale, FL; the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, Hartford, CT; Richmond CenterStage, Richmond, VA; and the Center for the Arts at Towson University, Maryland. He is a member of the Society of College and University Planners (SCUP), the Boston Society of Architects and the American Institute of Architects. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania where he received a Master of Architecture degree, he received a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from the University of Manitoba, Canada. Scott is an avid sailor, lives with his wife and 4 children (by the sea), and commutes to work by ferry, thus demonstrating his strong belief that a life lived on land and sea provides the ideal balance.

Thomas Hains, AIA

Principal | Architect

Whether it be the revitalization of a near century old performing arts center, a high-tech entertainment venue on a ship or a classroom setting for arts education, it brings great satisfaction knowing that the spaces we create will enrich people’s lives and leave lasting memories of their experiences.

Before the formation of Wilson Butler Architects, Tom was honing his skills as a young architect alongside founding partners Scott Wilson and Scott Butler. When the opportunity came to join a “startup” firm he jumped at the chance. Tom’s career has since grown over the nearly 20-year span, first becoming an Associate and now a Principal at WBA.

During his early years with the firm, Tom was a key team member with the Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises projects. He was actively involved in the development of Studio B, an on-board ice skating venue and signature space for the Royal Caribbean brand. As a Project Architect for the past decade, Tom has worked on the Calderwood Pavilion, Celebrity Solstice, Boston University College of Fine Arts and most recently the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Tom shows an attention to detail and project management skills that make him a key leader of our office as well as a go-to, trusted resource for our clients. Tom received his Bachelor of Architecture from the Boston Architectural College. He enjoys tinkering in his basement wood shop, seeing live music and spending time outdoors hiking, biking, snowboarding or just whiling away summer days on North Shore beaches with his family. He is also a fervent New England Patriots fan.

Chris Dynia, AIA

Principal | Architect

Garbage in – Garbage out.

Attention to detail, setting the bar and establishing standards are important in any profession and are essential in architecture. Chris’ eye for detail and his pride in perfection sets Wilson Butler’s design apart from the rest and cements our reputation among clients, contractors and consultants. Chris has perfected his craft with us, executing drawing packages and managing construction administration.

As a Project Architect, Chris recently oversaw completion of Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas, a ship of firsts that features sky diving at sea and a jewel capsule that extends over the ocean. Chris’ organizational skills come in handy as he also manages our ongoing local work at the Wang and the Strand Theaters. A graduate of the Roger Williams University Architecture program, Chris started with us 1999. After a brief sojourn in Pennsylvania, he is back in the New England fold. Chris is a registered architect in both Massachusetts and Pennsylvania and a member of the American Institute of Architects and Boston Society for Architects. An avid brew master, his attention to detail and standards helps his hops and barley create the perfect mash. Chris resides in Salem, Massachusetts with his wife and daughter, He likes to work on the slow restoration of their 1880’s house on the weekends, with beer in hand of course.

Paul Vaivoda, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, NCARB

Principal | Architect

On campus, in the audience or onboard: it’s memorable spaces and people that enrich our lives.

Paul provides a new point of view for the firm. He brings extensive experience and a lengthy portfolio of academic work to our team. The combination of his student life experience and WBA’s solid foundation in arts and entertainment is the perfect formula to broaden our expertise in the higher education market. In addition to leading our higher education/student life business development efforts, Paul is active in project design and leadership. Paul holds a Masters of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania, a Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of Colorado, and is a registered architect in MA, NY, and PA.

Paul may come across as unassuming, but do not let it fool you, he is a man full of surprises. Born with a passion for travel and music, he was a roadie traveling with the band in a past life. He has been across the globe and through the woods, traveling for weeks in South America, South Africa, and Europe (Asia is next), and the outdoors for hiking, skiing, canoeing, and fly-fishing with family and friends. As a former interior trim carpenter, he has an appreciation for the craft of the details and for the tradespeople who execute his designs.

Rebecca Durante, NCIDQ, IIDA, LEEP AP

Principal | Interior Designer

From the way we work in our studio to the final project outcomes, I always enjoy how our entire process is extremely holistic.

As she began her second semester as a biology major, Rebecca realized something was not right—too much organic chemistry, not enough creativity! After trying to “stick it out,” she made the move to study what she really loved. The perfect balance of creativity and problem solving was found at the New England School of Art and Design at Suffolk University, where she graduated with a B.A. in Interior Design.

Fast forward to today where Rebecca has completed the design for award-winning interiors, one-of-kind, groundbreaking cruise ship experiences for the Celebrity Solstice Class and TUI Mein Schiff series, and intricately detailed historic theater restorations, including the Altria Theater in Richmond, VA. As the senior interior designer at Wilson Butler Architects, clients rely on Rebecca for her thoughtful, researched design decisions and carefully crafted and holistic environments that both seamlessly respond to the space while wowing the user.

Rebecca’s world beyond WBA projects revolves around her husband and her beloved beagle-lab mix. Enjoying hands-on work, they tackle house project after house project. She punctuates projects with occasional beer-brewing, wine-making, attending Bruins games, being a foodie, and going for long walks with the dog.

Robert Levash, AIA

Principal | Architect

Creativity is intelligence having fun – Albert Einstein

Rob thrives in delivering “first of a kind” experiences to our clients. As a Project Manager and Project Architect for over 10 years, he is committed to bringing innovative design ideas into reality. Rob works directly with our clients, manages design, construction administration, and detailing. He is an active leader in the office, mentoring and promoting junior staff, recruiting staff far and wide, and molding the next WBA generation. He even led this new website initiative – doesn’t it look great?

For our clients, he always goes the extra mile, delivering on promises with a fresh eye. A registered architect in both Illinois and Massachusetts, Rob is an active member of both the American Institute of Architects and the Boston Society of Architects. Rob, a native of LaGrangeville, New York, completed his undergraduate and graduate studies at Northeastern University where he completed his Master of Architecture degree. Residing in Boston since 1998, Rob is a diehard Patriots & Bruins fan.

Alastair Battson

Principal I Lead Modeler

I feel like I am part of what makes Wilson Butler what it is today. From personality to conviction.

All firms need someone like Alastair, but we are the lucky ones, as he is one of a kind. He is a “Jack of All Trades,” a wiz with computers that can “Frankenstein” one with the best of them, he is a brilliant photographer, our often called upon “plotter-whisper,” and has an innate knowledge of how everything functions. Even if he doesn’t know how it works, he’ll still “get it sorted.”

However, his actual day job is fundamental to our design process, our success and our ability to communicate with our clients. Alastair is the lead behind all the physical models developed by the firm. Real models help everyone on the team, but especially help our clients understand the physical space and our proposed designs as they evolve. The model creates the tangible 3-D platform for a successful and collaborative design dialogue to occur. We consider Alastair and physical model making as one of the vital cogs in the time tested machine that is WBA. With a degree in Model Design from the University of Hertfordshire, in England, – may we say he is “built,” for this gig?

Ben Marcionek, AIA, LEED AP

Principal I Project Manager

You’re gonna need a bigger boat.

Ben joined the team in 2006 and right away began working on several of the firm’s major performing arts and cruise ship projects. Ben wears an assortment of hats and employs multiple tools on a project; from early programming and conceptual design exercises to management of subconsultants, sustainable design, and coordination of construction. Ben is able to create smart design solutions in response to challenges that may seem impossible to others. When combined with his unflappable, “can do, get it done attitude,” this trait makes him the ideal project leader and client collaborator.

An avid softball player and team captain of our bowling team, Ben has boundless energy and cat-herding skills. Consultants and co-workers wave their hands to be picked for his team, on and off the field. As a graduate of UMass Amherst with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architectural Design, Ben is ingrained with an attention to detail, a strong work ethic, and an enthusiasm that he brings to every project.

Joshua Stiling, AIA

Principal | Architect

“What is this? A center for ants?!”

Working in a fast-paced profession requires a level of energy to go with the job. Josh brings design sense and a certain focus to the team in order to combat the toughest project schedules. Josh’s ability to clearly communicate ideas and the design process to clients, consultants, and fellow staff members has been vital to some of Wilson Butler Architect’s most complex projects. Josh also has an eye for presentation, and his abilities in technical and graphic programs bring our client’s dreams and visions to reality.

Josh joined the team in 2012 as a graduate from Roger Williams University with a Masters in Architecture. At Wilson Butler, Josh takes time off from big mountain skiing out west in Colorado, Utah, and British Columbia in order to lay the ground work on recent works such as the Auburn University Performing Arts Center, Celebrity Edge, and the Altria Theater. Josh is a registered architect in the state of Massachusetts and Alabama, and a member of the American Institute of Architects and Boston Society of Architects. When ski is life, but the snow isn’t falling, you’ll find Josh out on his motorcycle somewhere in New England, thinking about his next big design idea.

Kelly Chiaradonna, NCIDQ, IIDA

Principal | Interior Design

“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”

Kelly joined the Wilson Butler Architects’ interior design team in 2008. After retiring as a professional ballerina, she graduated with a BFA in Interior Design from Winthrop University. She has more than 15 years of experience as an interior designer and her high-profile clients include the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, and Boston University College of Fine Arts. Kelly’s exceptionally creative abilities bring strong conceptual thinking and inspired solutions to her projects. Her thoughtful concepts tie all aspects of projects together fluently within her modern and refreshing design aesthetic. She is the founder of our Office Culture and Community Involvement Committee, a member of our JEDI and Mentoring committees, and a key contributor to our Staging-A-Comeback initiative. Kelly is currently a co-chair for the IIDA New England Design Awards. In her spare time, she enjoys learning more about wine and playing board games with her husband.

Scott Wilson, AIA

Director Emeritus

“Those who know me well can tell you how long I’ve talked about the day when I can spend my summers on Casco Bay and log fewer miles on airplanes,” Wilson said. “My wife and I built a house on Little Diamond Island and the dream is to spend more time there with friends and family. While I will miss the clients and everyone I work with, I am looking forward to puttering around with boats and perhaps build one or two or three from the keel up. But I will never be too far away from WBA and watch the legacy of the great family and great firm grow further and reach beyond my wildest dreams.”

Co-Founder Scott Wilson has officially retired. 

The staff, clients, and friends of Wilson Butler Architects are celebrating the 45-year career of the firm’s co-founder Scott Wilson as he prepares for his next big project – retirement. Scott Butler, Wilson’s longtime collaborator, friend, and firm co-founder, along with Thomas Hains, Rebecca Durante, Rob Levash, Ben Marcionek, and Paul Vaivoda, will continue leading the company. The retirement is part of an ongoing transition that includes advancing the next generation of firm leaders – a methodical process which started in 2012.“It’s impossible to overstate the impact Scott continues to have on all the fortunate people he taught, mentored, and inspired throughout his career, including me,” said Butler. “His passion for designing and building performing arts venues is only surpassed by the demanding standards he established for the quality of work the firm will continue to produce.  The one positive about his retirement is there will be less confusion when someone asks for ‘Scott’.” For more details, click here.