People
PZS Architects expertise is drawn from the diverse talents and experiences of our principals and staff.
David Polatnick, AIA — Principal
It was David’s entrepreneurial spirit and enthusiasm that started PZS Architects. Early in his career he developed a network of contacts and a reputation for responsibility and consistency. It was natural that he would leverage this spirit into his own practice, teaming with Mario Zacharjasz to found the firm in 1993. David is known to the office and to clients as a dedicated and sensitive designer with a great eye for details and the ability to take every stakeholder’s needs into consideration. His honest passion for his work has endeared many clients with whom he has made lasting friendships. David’s more than 25 years of professional experience have included the planning and design of large-scale retail shopping centers as well as historic preservation and adaptive reuse projects, where he is particularly adept at breathing new life into old or outdated buildings. David received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Temple University.
Mario Zacharjasz, AIA — Principal
Recognized by many as the face of PZS Architects, Mario Zacharjasz exudes an energy that inspires the firm and its clients. His passion for architecture and caring for others is evident in his thoughtful designs and extensive community and professional involvement. His 25 years of experience include an emphasis on educational, multi-family housing, and civic architecture for clients ranging from the School District of Philadelphia to the Army Corps of Engineers. Born in Cuba, Mario moved to the US when he was 3 and continues to maintain strong ties to his heritage and the local Latin American community. He sits on the Executive Board of the Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, is President-elect of the Philadelphia Chapter of the AIA, and was recently appointed to the Mayor’s Task Force on Construction Industry Diversity. He also sits on the boards of the PA School for the Deaf and Moore College of Art & Design. Mario holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Temple University.
Michael Skolnick, AIA — Principal
A partner in PZS Architects since 1998, Michael guides the firm’s design philosophy. He quietly and efficiently encourages the office and its projects with his critical thinking and penchant for organization. His keen understanding of programming and planning gets every project off to a strong start. Whether working to further refine a design to meet a client’s needs or steering a project to proceed as planned, he is committed to high levels of client service and architectural excellence. No matter how big or small a design challenge, Michael recognizes the need to understand the details, and he instills the same careful thought in the entire staff. His 25+ years of professional experience have included pharmaceutical, institutional, and corporate projects, as well as designs for high-end multi-family residential projects. Michael earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Temple University and is a member of the Urban Land Institute and the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia.
Vahe Ashodian
Vahe was born in Armenia and raised in Syria. He graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor of Architecture. Vahe continues to take classes in painting, water-color and etching at the Academy of the Fine Arts.
Matt Beuke
Born in Indiana, Matt was raised in Lititz, PA and later moved to Philadelphia where he received a Bachelor of Architecture from Temple University. He has studied abroad in Mostar, Bosnia Herzegovina and is currently pursuing his license in architecture.
Jose Garcia
Jose received his Bachelor of Architecture from Philadelphia University and attended the American University of Rome in 1999. He is originally from the Philippines and has lived in the US since the age of 8.
Kim Hahn, LEED AP
Kim recently finished her Bachelor of Architecture from Philadelphia University, and attended the American University in Rome.
Andrew Kraetzer, AIA, LEED AP
Andrew is originally from California, and earned his Bachelor of Arts from Middlebury College and Master of Architecture from University of California at Los Angeles.
Sheila Levin — Accounting Assistant
Sheila has twenty-five years of accounting experience. She has been with PZS for three.
Stephanie Maines — Interior Designer
Stephanie graduated from Moore College of Art and Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design.
Sohrab Mirbabai
Originally from Iran, Sohrab graduated from the Venice University Institute of Architecture in Venice, Italy.
Arica Nevraumont, LEED AP
Originally from Northern California, Arica graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Architecture.
Janice Pellecchia — Finance Manager
Janice's experience includes over 30 years as an accounting administrator in legal services, manufacturing and graphic design industries in Tennessee, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
Juan Ramos, LEED AP
Juan moved to the US from Tijuana, Mexico, where he received his Bachelor of Architecture from the Universidad Iberoamericana.
Antoine Rotival, AIA, LEED AP — Associate
Antoine received his diplome d'architecte from the Unite Pedagogique No. 6 in Paris, and moved to Philadelphia where he completed his Master of Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania. Antoine has been with PZS for 14 years.
Herb Schultz, LEED AP
Herb moved to Philadelphia from New York. He earned his Bachelor of Architecture from Philadelphia University and attended the American University of Rome.
Mark Solden, AIA
Mark is originally from New Jersey, and earned his Bachelor of Architecture from the Pratt Institute in New York, completing a portion of his schooling in Rome and Greece.
Oona Walsh — Director of Marketing
Oona was born and raised in Philadelphia, but has lived in Ireland, Oregon, Boston and North Carolina. She serves on the Board of Trustees for the PA School for the Deaf and the Board of Directors fo the non-profit organization Kids of Kadiogne, and is a member of the Urban Land Institute, SMPS and the AIA Communications Committee.