Approach

 

Designing with purpose

At WINTER HOLBEN, designing places with purpose begins with a belief that the environments we create should meaningfully support the people who use them. Our work is guided by an integrated design approach centered on people, place, and performance—considering how a space should feel, function, and connect to its surroundings while responding thoughtfully to the practical realities of each project.

Led by Principals Elisa Winter Holben and Brandon Holben, AIA, our studio works closely and collaboratively with clients, exploring ideas through listening, inquiry, and shared discovery. We believe great design is not defined by cost alone, but by how effectively ideas are translated into built form. By understanding and working carefully within each client’s budget, we focus on maximizing both efficiency and impact—ensuring resources are used strategically to achieve the strongest possible design outcome.

Winter Holben architecture and design, team at work, brewery

Founded on shared purpose 

WINTER HOLBEN was founded by Principal Elisa Winter Holben, whose background spans architecture, interiors, branding, and experiential design. Prior to establishing the studio, Elisa led multidisciplinary design teams for major companies and complex national projects—experience that shaped the firm’s collaborative approach to creating meaningful places across retail, hospitality, residential, and community environments.

In 2015, Principal Architect Brandon Holben, AIA, formally joined the practice following a series of successful collaborations, including the award-winning 3S Artspace. Bringing more than two decades of experience designing award-winning commercial and residential architecture, Brandon strengthened the firm’s architectural depth and integrated design capabilities. Today, WINTER HOLBEN is a collaborative studio committed to purposeful design. Longtime Kittery residents, Elisa and Brandon recently completed the design and development of their own mixed-use studio building, 3 Walker, in the heart of Kittery Foreside.

Leadership

  • elisa

    Elisa Winter Holben

    Principal, CEO, Design Director
  • brandon

    Brandon Holben AIA

    Principal Architect, LEED AP BD+C
  • Adam web

    Adam Holmes AIA

    Project Architect

Supporting community through design

At WINTER HOLBEN, our commitment to people, place, and performance extends beyond the projects we design. As longtime members of the Seacoast community, we believe thoughtful design can strengthen the places where people live, work, and gather.

We actively support organizations and initiatives that contribute to vibrant, inclusive communities and advance the broader arts and design culture that inspires our work. Through board service, sponsorships, charitable contributions, discounted design services, and collaborative partnerships, we share our time, expertise, and resources to help make a lasting impact both locally and within the wider design community.

Organizations we have supported include:

3S Artspace
AIGA Maine
ARCHITALX
BIPOC Fest
Black Heritage Trail NH
Creative Mornings Portsmouth
Cross Roads House
The Dance Hall

Fair Tide
Footprints Food Pantry
Kittery Little League
Labrie Family Skate at Puddledock Pond
PAVE 

Project Upcycle

Rice Public Library
Seacoast Science Center

Society for Environmental Graphic Design

Shapleigh School
Strawbery Banke Museum
Soul Models
TedX Portsmouth
Traip Academy
USS Albacore Submarine Museum