Tim Thurman

President + Designer

Growing up on both coasts, Tim made elaborate treehouses with his friends. Not the typical back yard variety, but deep in the woods, built with found and salvaged materials, and unsupervised by adults. Those empowering experiences, together with high school residential construction jobs, sparked an interest in architecture. At architectural school, where employment was part of the curriculum, Tim worked for large and small architectural firms in Boston, and ultimately with a design-build firm on Boston’s North Shore. During the economic downturn of 1990, a Clinton era program, “The Enterprise Project,” was developed to support the creation of small businesses in hopes that they might stimulate the sluggish economy. It was through this program that the business plan for Treehouse Design was born.  

Ryan MacArthur

Architect - AIA + Director of Design Operations

Joined in 2010

Ryan spent his formative years traveling around the world, eventually settling on Cape Ann. A firm believer in the "design-build" approach and the practice of honing one’s design sense though the physical process of making, Ryan innately aligns with Treehouse’s hollistic philosophy and is an essential member of our team. Ryan’s professional experience has focused on contemporary vernacular architecture and interiors, and he offers that unique lens to all projects. When not at the office or with his family, Ryan can often be found braving the cold Atlantic surf with the locals.

Cheryl Thurman

CFO + Office Administrator

Cheryl has been part of the Treehouse team since its inception, and joined full time as office administrator and CFO in 2014.  Prior to working at Treehouse, she spent over 30 years at Harvard University as an administrator. At Treehouse, she has enjoyed the opportunity to work in a creative environment with a wonderful group of dedicated designers and makers. 

Cheryl and Tim have lived on Cape Ann since 1985, raised two kids, and enjoy sailing, kayaking, skiing, and hiking in Dogtown with their dog Tallyho. 

Patrick Herlihy

Project Manager + Director of Construction Operations

Joined in 2012

Originally from Cape Ann, Patrick pursued an education in marketing and communication in Vermont. He spent winters alpine ski racing and summers competitively sailing and was a favorite youth sailing instructor in the community. He eventually settled in his native Rockport to raise a family and entered the building trade as a carpenter, restoring old homes and timber-framed buildings. Project management was a natural progression for Patrick, who’s instinct for collaboration and ease of communication with clients, architects, designers, and subcontractors are his super powers. When not on Treehouse time, you can likely find him fishing the waters of Cape Ann, mountain biking in Dogtown, or around town making his family and friends laugh.

Ellen Levine

Architect

Joined in 2003  

Ellen first became interested in architecture in high school. Drawn to coastal villages, she centered her career on residential design. Passionate about sustainable design strategies that result in energy efficient and comfortable homes, Ellen brings a green building perspective to all projects she tackles. Ellen thrives in the entire design process—from initial client meetings, to organizing spaces that fulfill their vision, to presenting projects to local permitting boards. Outside of the office you might find Ellen spending time with her family, tending to her garden and chickens, practicing yoga, or rocking out at a local music venue. 

Lynn Quagliato

Architectural Designer

Joined in 2021

Lynn joined Treehouse in 2021.  A 2016 graduate of Wentworth, where she studied architecture, she is now working on an advanced degree at the Boston Architectural College.   She is an energetic architect-in-training with a passion for creative design.  Her background in art and technology gives her a unique insight to modern design strategies.  Lynn has lived in Massachusetts all her life, but is slowly migrating from Boston’s South Shore to the North Shore.  Her hobbies include playing with her cat, painting, digital art, and baking.

Kate Martin

Architectural Designer

Joined in 2023

Kate studied at the University of Virginia, where she received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture. Her love of historic architecture was sparked during the year she spent at Edinburgh University in Scotland between high school and college.  During her career, she has worked as a high-end residential designer as well as a project manager on the Wynn Boston Harbor. She is currently pursuing her architectural license. Kate moved to Salem in 2017 and completely fell in love with the city, and with the entirety of the north shore area. She and her husband bought an old house in Salem and are working to restore it. They have a little rescue dog named Witch Hazel who is often found trampling the plants in Kate’s beloved garden.

Warren Randlett

Project Manager

Joined in 2004

Growing up in a family of builders and sailors from a small island in Maine, Warren’s career in the building trades started when he was 13 as an apprentice carpenter. He eventually worked his way to master carpenter, and for the past 25 years has been a construction supervisor and project manager. Throughout his 50-year career, Warren has built and managed numerous projects, producing a high level of craftsmanship and quality. He takes great pleasure and satisfaction balancing the competing demands of production, quality, and interpersonal relationships that are part of the building process. Aside from his passion for building, Warren enjoys the company of his son, Evan, and hunting for antiques, art and artifacts.

Jeff Shelton

Project Manager

Joined in 2015

Responsible for day-to-day construction operations, working with subcontractors and designers to ensure projects remain on schedule and on budget, Jeff thrives in his role at Treehouse. Jeff grew up in Oklahoma and relocated to Massachusetts to work at LandVest as a GIS Analyst, and subsequently for Columbia Contracting, building high-end residential homes. A natural addition to the Treehouse team, he believes that working hand-in-hand with the design team throughout the construction process is invaluable. When he is not managing projects, Jeff enjoys spending time with his family and being outdoors, fishing, snowboarding, and playing football. 

Meg Taraska

Interior Technical Director

Joined in 2009

From astrophysics to interior design, Meg’s intellectual curiosity and creativity led her to Treehouse. She graduated from MIT with a BS in Physics, and worked as an Information Architect for 10 years at a start-up company, and then at IBM. More recently, Meg attended the North Bennet Street School for furniture making, and then the Boston Architectural College to study kitchen and bath design. She has resided on Cape Ann for over a decade and loves creating thoughtful interiors that bring joy to each client. In her free time, Meg loves running, cooking, gardening, and snowboarding.

Julia Roso Mares

Interior Designer

Joined in 2023

Julia comes to work at Treehouse Design from Valencia, Spain. She graduated from the Polytechnic University of Valencia with bachelor and master degrees in architecture, where she discovered her passion for mid-century architecture. She worked in a prestigious studio called Ambau, where she mixed traditional and contemporary architecture to respect historic buildings. She has a European vision of architecture and design. She came to the country of four seasons for love. Julia and her husband, Santiago, have a rescue dog named Gazpacho, after a delicious Spanish tomato soup. Julia enjoys discovering charming small towns, visiting iconic houses, local farms, and markets where there is always something to learn.

Marie Cahoon

Office Administrator

Joined in 2022

Born and raised on Cape Ann, Marie studied history, English and art history at the University of Vermont.  Before joining Treehouse in 2022 as our new Office Administrator, she worked for 9 years in a Gloucester law office that offered real estate and estate planning services.  She is enthused to put her organizational skillset to work in our design-build workplace and to support and collaborate with a group of dedicated creators of sustainable, heirloom architecture.  Marie enjoys spending time with her husband, two daughters and dog, thrift shopping, trips to local farms, cooking and reading.

Jon “Sid” Sidlowski

Cabinet Maker + Shop Manager

Joined in 2010

“I can build anything if it’s out of wood.” Sid worked as a finish carpenter in the larger Cape Ann area for 30 years before joining the Treehouse team. As the leader and heart of the custom cabinet shop, Sid’s dedication and willingness to take on any project is contagious. He excels at figuring out how to build one-of-a-kind pieces. Born and raised in Gloucester, Sid grew up playing in the quarries of Lanesville and dirt biking in the woods of Dogtown. In his time off, Sid can be found on his motorcycle with his wife Cathi, exploring the highways and back roads of New England and beyond. Sid and Cathi have two grown children, Sara and Ryan.

Jesse Fallon

Project Coordinator + IT Manager

Joined in 2010

Jesse believes that we humans and animals share more similarities than differences, and recognizing and acting thus makes us all feel more ease, love, and safety in our lives. In that spirit, Jesse is delighted by the level of care Treehouse delivers to our clients, their neighborhoods, the larger community, and our fellow team members. With a degree in engineering from UC San Diego, and training in carpentry, natural building, yoga, and meditation, Jesse brings a myriad of skills to the team.  Jesse’s other interests include time outdoors in nature, dancing, and a good book.

Scott Tyrrell

Cabinet Maker

Joined in 2009

Scott’s many talents include construction drawing analysis, cabinet and furniture fabrication, and all facets of cabinet finishing. In addition to a degree in architecture and construction management, Scott has 26 years of experience in cabinet making. For 13 years, he ran his own construction company specializing in rehab and historical preservation. When not on the job, Scott can be found on the water racing stand-up paddle boards, outrigger canoes, or wakeboarding. In winter, he can be found in the mountains skiing, snowboarding, or snowshoeing. Scott and his wife, Amy, have a rescue pup named Izzy and two rescue cats.

Zack Mark

Cabinet Maker

Joined in 2014

Zack grew up exploring the woods and coast line of Cape Ann, always wanting to be connected to the environment. He studied sustainable agriculture in college and worked on small organic farms in Western Massachusetts and Essex, raising livestock and growing vegetables. He soon realized that his real passions were woodworking and furniture design. Zack began at Treehouse as a shop assistant and is a valued member of the cabinet-making team. On weekends, you can find him rock or ice climbing in the White Mountains or paddling around Cape Ann in his kayak.

Thomas Hall

Cabinet Maker

Joined in 2008

Woodworking is Tom’s passion, and he generously shares his skills with the cabinet crew. Tom spent several decades in construction and land development in Eastern Massachusetts and The Islands. He and his wife, Linda, have owned a number of antique homes dating from as early as 1680 and have taken great joy in refurbishing them with their two daughters. During his leisure time, Tom designs and builds furniture, often using colorful scraps of wood from the Treehouse woodshop. His pieces are on display on his websites: thosrhall.com and tdhallassoc.com.