Who We Are

Ahmed Aly

Aly has had 14 years of design experience in a diverse range of building types; including schools, commercial and office spaces, libraries, residential units and resorts. He has worked with design teams to deliver projects across an international spectrum, from the US to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Believing that architecture encapsulates the memories of individuals as well as nations, Aly finds the most inspiration in the emotional connections to our surroundings and our landmarks. What he especially learned from the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral was how the structure was mourned as if she were a person — that architecture is not about the architect, it is about people. Exploring architecture through the eyes of the community it serves gives him a deeper understanding of its role as a social catalyst.

In his spare time, Aly loves to travel in a quest to find the most authentic and historical cuisine of every city he visits. He also plays squash and chess and enjoys watching soccer.

Alex Brownell  AIA

Alex is inspired by life experiences and being out in the world. His travels in Southeast and Eastern Asia have influenced how he thinks about and approaches different design opportunities. He likes to solve difficult problems, enjoying the process and development as much as the ultimate solution. He appreciates the current trend of a return to early design references, and also finds re-use exciting and important, especially when it comes to the design of restaurants and stores.

Alex Bushkoff

With almost 20 years of experience in design, Alex draws inspiration from the exercise of creative instinct to develop a project from the abstract to the physical. Attentive to context, he believes in highlighting the juxtaposition of the new and the old, embracing and emphasizing their differences to make both stronger.

Alex brings experience in a variety of project types from historic preservation and adaptive re-use to residential and higher education. With a Master’s in Architecture from UCLA and a B.A. from UC Santa Cruz, he also leverages his fluency in French to volunteer as a teacher for Citizen Schools.

Allen Ai  EDAC, LEED AP BD+C

Amanda Bristow

With a background in publishing and music, and continued work as a freelance writer and theater manager, Amanda keeps good communication flowing here at PCA.  By immersing herself in detailed, people-oriented work, she finds that anticipating needs and understanding different points of view are key to effective problem-solving.

While not at PCA, Amanda immerses herself in the Cambridge & Somerville community, and embodies “live, work, play” – living just a few blocks away in Inman Square, and working part-time at the Harvard Film Archive. She enjoys as much time outdoors as possible – visiting local farms, taking a nature walk or swimming at Walden Pond, and volunteering at the Somerville Growing Center.

Amanda Mersereau

Ami Shim

Ben Wakelin  AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Ben is inspired by the social aspects of architecture — how buildings and places shape people’s lives. He believes the best projects are borne out of the community, and that community engagement is essential to ensuring that architecture serves the people intended for its use.

He has enjoyed collaborating with talented individuals across a vast array of disciplines such as retail, office, mixed-use, arts & entertainment, and housing to bring complex projects to life. What he is most interested in is how people experience a building — the human scale — and how a building integrates itself with the ground plane. Knowing that sustainable design and resiliency are two of the most important problems facing architects today, he is also dedicated to serving as a sustainability leader at PCA and beyond.

Ben’s work has also been inspired by artists, musicians, filmmakers, etc., as well as the natural environment. When not practicing architecture, he enjoys hiking, camping, and going to the beach with his family.

Betsy Cooke

As a designer, Betsy believes that architecture shapes our day-to-day lives. She understands how the process of navigating the constraints and challenges that arise during the design process can result in the opportunities that make a building sing. She brings a sustainable and environmentally responsible design approach to each project, creating connected indoor and outdoor spaces that inspire and enable people to linger and interact with one another.

In her spare time, Betsy enjoys spending time with her husband and her young daughter. She is an avid runner, and reader, and can often be found practicing yoga or trying to hike the 48 4,000 foot mountains that dot New Hampshire.

Brandon Levy

For Brandon, knowing that he is part of something that will directly affect people’s lives inspires him to create. He also draws a ton of inspiration from nature and from his family. He enjoys solving problems at every scale — from crossword puzzles to urban issues, while delving into new trends, such as virtual reality. He defines community as a group of people who share a common goal or a similar taste and he is driven to create design that fulfills the needs of diverse communities simultaneously.

Brandon was part of the U.S. Green Building Council and American Institute of Architecture Students in college and he enjoys hiking, travelling, cooking, eating, and people-watching.

Brian Balise  AIA

Brian finds his creative inspiration through travel. He takes the time to try to appreciate different cultures and consider how that can inform his design process. He enjoys solving problems with a wide variety of variables. In architecture, the beauty lies in the fact that there is no one answer to any problem. Brian views community as being defined by the shared experiences of living and working in close proximity with other people. It is the architect’s job to listen, identify clearly what the community is asking for, and implement a design that responds directly to their needs and desires. Every project is unique and requires creativity to balance this equation in a way that maximizes opportunity while still satisfying functional requirements.

Baseball is Brian’s greatest passion outside of architecture. He plays baseball in Boston Men’s Baseball League, watches the New York Yankees on a daily basis, and dreams of someday visiting every baseball stadium across the country.

Dagmar von Schwerin

Dagmar brings over 25 years of marketing experience in the architectural design industry, helping fine tune PCA’s message while also engaging in specific proposal efforts and the organization of firm-wide marketing. She is a longstanding member of the Society of Marketing Professional Services, serving on the Board and the Program Committee as well as several juries over the years.

An enthusiastic traveler, she continues to find inspiration in the sights, sounds and tastes of places far away, exploring new cultures and perspectives in order to appreciate anew the marvels of our own New England.

Dan Carp

Over the last decade, Dan has blended an interest in the arts and technology to provide a diverse range of support to those better skilled at designing buildings that will actually stand up. Equally comfortable assembling computers, photographing the built environment, editing proposals, and hurling softballs, Dan thrives as PCA’s Renaissance Man. Named a Senior Associate in 2017, he has recently virtualized PCA’s servers, helped develop PCA’s website, and overseen construction of PCA’s office renovation.

When not up in the IT loft, Dan can be found playing drums in the band Pesky J. Nixon, organizing lunchtime games of H.O.R.S.E., and enjoying the company of his young son.

Daniel Molenkamp

As Director of Architectural Technology, with more than 30 years in the industry, Dan’s strength in technical drawing and building construction has contributed to many of PCA’s most notable retail and residential projects. He feels that some of the most rewarding problems to solve exist in the rehabilitation of buildings, requiring the evaluation and modification of existing components to meet budget, industry standards, life-cycle, and performance goals. All of this, of course, while maintaining an appealing design, practical constructability, and cost efficiency.

Dan believes that the design process should be inclusive and mindful of all within a community, with the ultimate goal of maximizing the positives. With a degree in Architectural Engineering from Wentworth Institute of Technology, Dan is one of PCA’s most stalwart volunteers, working with On The Rise, The Greater Boston Food Bank, and PCA’s Canstruction team each year.

Dave Snell  AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Dave has a keen understanding of market conditions and the drivers for successful development, excelling at the planning and design of mixed-use urban projects and public spaces that bring people together from all walks of life. Focused on building client relationships, he thrives on the challenges of complex projects, leading the team on PCA’s first multifamily high-rise in Jamaica Plain and our first two LEED Platinum multifamily buildings in Boston’s award-winning Allston Green District.

Dave loves working with the most talented staff in the business, always seeking inspiration and new ways to bolster the firm’s collective creativity to deliver projects that make loyal followers of all of our clients. Dave received both his B.S. and Master’s in Architecture from Northeastern University and a special accreditation as LEED AP BD+C.

David Chilinski  FAIA

As President and Co-Founder, David Chilinski has been guiding the firm for over 30 years with an infectious entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering commitment to creating vibrant, sustainable community places – from commercial and retail developments to housing and academic facilities. David is a leading force in PCA’s vision of designing “places” that enlighten and enrich people’s lives. A passionate advocate of the “24 hour city,” David has spearheaded many urban planning and design projects with complex approvals processes and high levels of community involvement.

Educated at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, he holds a National Council of Architectural Registration Boards Certificate with registration in 17 states. In the community, David sits on the Harvard Square Business Association and Agassiz Neighborhood Council Boards. He also serves on the Mass College of Art Corporate Advisory Group and the United Way Real Estate Committee, and has presented as a guest lecturer at MIT, Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, Rhode Island School of Design, Roger Williams College, BU’s School of Management and the Boston Architectural College.

David Deitch

For David, architecture is for the people and by the people. He believes that by expanding the role of the designer into the social realm, one can engage the community in the creation of the buildings they inhabit. The best buildings solve the everyday problems of the everyday person. As a BAC student, he nurtures his technical skills to creatively solve these tough challenges. By paying close attention and creating interventions in unexpected places, David helps the people who need it most.

When he is not hard at work, or buried deep in his studies, David hits the trail for long rides in the woods. He is actively involved in the Boston bike community, while somehow making time for a few jam sessions with the PCA Band.

David LaCount  RA, LEED AP

David finds inspiration in creating better places for people to live, work and play. Moving between fine detail and the big picture, he excels at working with project teams to solve complex on-site problems in ways that are in keeping with the final design intent.

At PCA, David works primarily on the construction administration side, balancing the needs of the client and contractor to manage construction phase services including client, contractor and consultant meetings, conflict resolution, construction quality review, scheduling reviews and monitoring, change management, contractor pay request review, cost control, shop drawing and RFI review, management of punch list and project closeout activities.

David holds a B.Arch. from the Boston Architectural College, and a B.S. from Arizona State University.

DiAnn Tufts  LEED AP BD+C

DiAnn has a passion for sustainable, well-integrated, place-based design. During her career, she has worked on a variety of assignments from prototype retail to mixed-use housing to private residences, as well as passive systems research for the super-insulated Pratt House in Dudley Square. DiAnn strives to create high-performing structures with an emphasis on habitable, scale-appropriate spaces that contribute to the character of their community. She believes that it is the problem solving necessary to make a project real – be it environmental, contextual or use-related – that can elevate the design and elicit innovation.

With a B.Arch from the University of Kansas, DiAnn currently serves as a Co-Facilitator for the local ILFI Living Building Challenge Collaborative. In the past she led the USGBC’s Emerging Professional Group, serving as a leading member of the Planning Committee and a Co-Chair for the annual design competition for young local professionals.

Emeline Gaujac

As a designer, Emeline has a passion to design for the benefit of communities, especially those that are underprivileged or in need. From her perspective, architecture is about improving the daily lives of people, and it’s the architect’s greatest social responsibility to care for the public and the environment.

While undertaking her master’s in architecture (‘15) at Northeastern University, Emeline explored how design can improve the lives of children in urban public spaces. Her thesis work connected to her everyday life which she spends volunteering and developing urban play spaces. In her free time, Emeline plays ukelele, takes time in the garden, write non-fiction and heads up PCA’s design competition initiative.

Eric Brown  AIA, LEED AP

A Partner at PCA, Eric has been an integral part of the firm for over 25 years. He has broad design and management experience working with institutional clients as well as commercial developers of multi-family housing, hospitality, restaurant, and retail projects throughout New England. In addition, Eric leads PCA’s recruiting and hiring efforts.

Eric believes that the client comes first – that building strong personal relationships enhances the creative process, resulting in the best outcomes for all involved. The success of this approach has been borne out by his large following of repeat clients. Not afraid to take on new project types or larger scale commissions, Eric has led the way on seminal PCA projects such as Arsenal Yards, Legacy Place, the firm’s first dining hall at Northeastern University, and multiple large-scale mixed use planning and design projects for major area developers and entrepreneurs.

Educated at Arizona State University, Eric has also taught at the Boston Architectural College. He is very active in the Town of Lexington where he resides, volunteering as the Chairman of the Permanent Building Committee that oversees all town projects

Eric Stahl  AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Eric strongly believes in the narrative approach to design and the idea that you can craft a story about the building, the site and the occupant.  Using his background in sociology, Eric’s commitment to social responsibility informs his work, with the belief that buildings should respect their neighbors.  It is easy to get wrapped up in the “look” of a building and let the functionality lag behind, but it is owner/occupant satisfaction that truly signals success.

Eric is an “all-rounder,” having worked on a host of various projects including the renovation of the Nave of Sterling Memorial Library at Yale, which won several awards. Working with not-for-profits on housing and community facilities afforded him the chance to have a positive impact on some disadvantaged neighborhoods, and he is especially proud of the housing he worked on in Brooklyn where his great uncle grew up during the Depression. When not at work, Eric works with metal – welding, casting and forging jewelry, furniture and sculpture. He is a huge basketball fan and of all things Celtics, and his #1 hobby is playing with his son.

Frank Smith  AIA

Frank took a slightly circuitous path to a career in architecture, working in construction, studying psychology and business, and ultimately finding the perfect integration of his skill sets — imagination, business sense and high-level technical skills — applied to a framework of real world constraints. He relishes the process of design and construction management, solving problems along the way.

Frank is partial to projects with a strong public element, particularly within an urban environment. He received his B.A. in Psychology from Keene State College with a minor in Business Management and his M.A. from the Boston Architectural College where he was a finalist for the BAC/BSA Design Scholarship and the BAC Academic/Portfolio Based Scholarship. Outside PCA, he is a runner, woodworker and pianist, with a yen for the salt sea air and all that beaches in New England can offer.

Hing Chung Fung

Hing brings over 15 years of experience in creating and implementing design, crafted in response to a core statement or idea for each project. He brings his vision alive in his masterful renderings, fully forming the image and a feeling of a place. When he’s not designing, Hing continues to explore, experimenting with new design tools, visiting museums and new places, and perfecting his finger-work playing guitar for a new band – always trying to be faster.

Jake Schmidt

Jake’s motivation to create stems from his belief that designers have a responsibility to use the skills they have cultivated to better the communities around them. He believes that a community’s needs, issues, and culture all factor into the character that makes one community different from another and that design projects are the most successful when the community’s identity is enhanced, or at the very least, preserved.

Outside of work Jake enjoys experimenting with other creative outlets such as photography, graphic art, and making music. He also enjoys the outdoors and tries to spend as much time outside as possible, regardless of the season, whether it’s going on hikes, or snowboarding.

Janine Byrne

Janine is inspired by materials and the new, transformative ways in which they can be put to use. Her goal as a designer is to create spaces for people that improve and elevate their lives. She believes that interior design is personal, and aims with each project to understand the culture of a group, capturing its spirit and story, expressed through branding and good design. With a background in dance and working with music, she sees a parallel in the design process, embracing it as the choreography of space. Outside PCA, Janine is active in the New England IIDA community, attending many events and participating in the IIDA fashion show every year.

Jeffrey Gannon  AIA, LEED GA

With a Masters from Northeastern University (’08), Jeff is motivated as an architect by the ability to achieve a positive impact on people with design. An Associate at PCA, he enjoys solving technical- and organization-based problems, particularly as related to community and multipurpose projects. His advocacy of community initiatives is supported by his record as one of PCA’s most intrepid volunteers. When he’s not designing PCA’s latest retail, multi-family, and adaptive re-use projects, Jeff enjoys history, music, coaching and playing soccer and working on his “log cabin” home.

Jillian D’Amato  NCIDQ, IIDA

As an Interior Designer and Associate at PCA, Jillian’s goal is to create welcoming, innovative spaces that inspire a positive reaction. Her passion for traveling has had a huge impact on her design aesthetic, affording new perspectives and approaches. Working on projects ranging from restaurants and cafes, hotels, and multifamily interiors, Jillian relishes ground-up challenges as well as renovations that transform old, forgotten, or overlooked spaces into places that inspire anew, like that at The Revolution Hotel.

With a degree from The New England School of Art & Design, including a study abroad in Madrid, Spain, Jillian stays involved as a guest critic and thesis-mentor. She has a passion for food and loves participating in the exploding food scene in Boston. Her creativity and leadership also led her to found RUNFELLOW, a community based free weekly run club for runners of all abilities with custom apparel that you can see on runners all over greater Boston.

Jim Coveno

With more than 25 years of experience in construction administration, Jim has a bevy of knowledge to draw upon when reviewing PCA’s RFI’s and submittals. He is an expert in logistical coordination, team management, and bringing client visions into reality. Jim’s know-how of materials, and finishes to helps him craft the best results that stand up to the test of time.

Outside of work, Jim dedicates himself to his community, serving as Chairman of South Boston’s City Point neighborhood association. He seeks out the character in Boston, and commits himself to preserving it. By helping people in need through charity work and fundraising, Jim is able to give back to the city that he loves.

Jim Lee  AIA, LEED AP

Jim takes an artistic approach to the design process, in contrast to the predominantly construction-based focus favored by the overall architectural design world. With a Masters in Architecture from Northeastern University (class of ’07), he brings his more personal approach to project types ranging from academic to urban development, to retail and restaurant design.

Jim finds a like-minded milieu at PCA, where he feels supported in seeking collaboration and the exploration of new design directions within a company that truly cares about their staff.

Judith Salvi

As Principal of Finance and Administration, Judith is a combination of “blue suit” seriousness sprinkled with humor and a quest for the ethereal receipt. Since 1994, she has managed PCA’s internal operations, ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of our busy design firm.

Julia Slater

Julia is driven to create by a desire to understand how larger design intentions can be applied to even the smallest detail of a project. She loves to work on the parts of projects that can throw a hitch in the plan, requiring intensive research to find the best solution. She is very interested in how new urban design ideas can influence architectural projects – specifically, how emerging technologies can change the way we think about how people live in cities. She keeps up with current trends regarding smart cities, self-driving
transportation, and building technologies that are changing the way people live.

In her spare time, Julia keeps on the move by playing roller derby with the Boston league, contra dancing, blues dancing, and cross-country skiing. She especially loves doing anything outdoors with her dog Watson, a Husky-German Shepard mix.

Karen Dubrovsky  AIA, LEED AP

As a Principal at PCA, Karen focuses on listening to each client’s needs, thinking beyond what they believe a project can be and exceeding their expectations to create dynamic environments that open up opportunities. She has been instrumental in exceeding client’s goals on projects spanning from higher-education to hospitality and retail, thriving on the challenge that each new project brings.

Karen’s education at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, along with her years of experience enable her to navigate from the big picture to the details of planning and design. Since joining PCA in 2000, she has been a key contributor to the firm’s growth and vibrancy adding to PCA’s air of creativity that keeps things fresh. Along with participating in overall firm management, she leads the marketing and graphic design/branding team at PCA.

Karen Sutin

Karen is motivated by the social impact of architecture and its potential to transform an entire neighborhood. She enjoys working with clients to develop their vision and figuring out the best approach/solution to execute the project and make it a reality. With a professional background in business/project management, Karen is interested in the full spectrum of the design process. Karen feels that among the most important current ideas are socially and environmentally conscious architecture, as well as the power of architecture to accommodate increasing city population density through the revitalization of community spaces.

In her free time, Karen enjoys contemporary art/sculpture and going to museums and working on a house project in Milford, CT.

Keith Lorrell Jones  AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Keith believes that buildings and the spaces between them create the important public zones which shape neighborhoods. For Keith, each project presents the chance to create clear, efficient, and impactful places that can support and enhance growing communities. Experienced in a range of project types ranging from retail and housing to institutional, he is motivated by complex design challenges, defining problems as disguised opportunities or puzzles to be solved.

Lately he has been bringing his work home, devoting most of his time to the restoration and redesign of his historic 1840’s home. He expects to finish this project soon, after nearly five years of work!

Kevin Nastasia

Kevin enjoys seeing larger projects come to life, designing a fantastical experience with the end-user in mind. With past experience working on cruise ship entertainment deck design, he now enjoys working at PCA for fundamental “land-based” work tackling the new challenges of steel, curtainwall, and more. Kevin likes that PCA’s variety of projects lends itself to true teamwork and a broad scope of new opportunities to learn.

In his spare time, you can find Kevin working on house and home projects such as constructing a new walk-in closet, rebuilding his garage, and other large-scale woodworking projects.

Kevin Tremblay

As a graduate of Ohio State University and Northeastern University Masters of Architecture program, Kevin is passionate about using architecture as a tool to shape natural environments and encourage social interaction within a community. At PCA, he is committed to developing and expanding his knowledge about urban housing and sustainable design. Kevin is further inspired to design community spaces that provide neighborhood enrichment. When he is not busy with school or working hard at PCA, he volunteers his time with Habitat for Humanity, collaborating with others on projects that benefit the community. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, trying new cuisines and experiencing new cultures.

Kim Young  AIA, LEED GA

Kim’s ideal work-space would be outside on PCA’s roof deck. She likes unique and creative spaces that emphasize human interaction and functionality, and when it comes to design, she’s willing to try it all: housing, restaurants, interiors, and more – bending her non-constricted viewpoint to suit the needs of a client. Kim values a connection to the outdoors, which is reflected through cross-country bike-trips, her passion for running and hiking, as well as summers spent as a soccer and gymnastic coach to young children.

Krista Osipovitch

Krista creatively approaches each project with the purpose of adding value to each space while improving both the function and aesthetic of the way people live. Krista believes in the importance of understanding a client’s vision, brand and project goals and translating them into a creative design solution. Focusing on the built environment and human behavior, she prioritizes incorporating sustainable materials throughout the design process.

When she’s not at work, Krista is active in the IIDA community, and as a thesis mentor/critic to students at New England School of Art & Design at Suffolk University, where she earned her BFA in Interior Architecture and Design. She also enjoys painting and drawing and anything related to the outdoors. Krista is continually inspired in her work by traveling to new locations as well as reading and researching.

Kristy Murnane

After leaving UMass Lowell with a degree in Philosophy, Kristy worked for 10 years in brick & mortar and online retail. As PCA’s Office Coordinator, she is inspired by the idea that great culture and productive, comfortable working environments bring out the best in people. She enjoys finding new and innovative ways to keep the office running smoothly, be it updating old practices or adding new ones.

Outside of work, she has spent the last several years raising money with her family as part of the Walk for MS, and when she’s not catching up on the latest comic book movies or other sci-fi media (nerd), she loves crocheting, traveling, or (attempting) kickboxing.

Laura Arritt

Laura is most inspired by the way that people communicate. With the knowledge that design as a whole is about communication, Laura deftly crafts PCA’s marketing materials with a keen understanding of our people, our culture, and our brand. Laura views all challenges as an opportunity to learn something new.

When not at PCA, Laura is a member of the Society for Marketing Professional Services. In her spare time, she enjoys sewing, running, and Boston’s great outdoors. She takes opportunities to travel when she can and loves to explore new locales.

Laura Homich  AIA, LEED AP BD+C

A Principal at PCA, Laura is responsible for the design, documentation, and management of some of PCA’s most high-profile projects, from multifamily housing to retail and complex mixed-use developments. She enjoys the complexities involved in the adaptive reuse of industrial buildings or a mixed-use infill, finding new ways to fit everything into an impossible site – especially in an urban setting.

Laura excels at achieving consensus – managing complex approvals processes and helping community groups contribute their input to the design of the next great addition to their neighborhood. A graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a returned Peace Corps volunteer (Bolivia), and member of the AIA and CREW, Laura brings a high level of versatility and organizational skills to each new commission.

Laura Portney  AIA

Laura believes that good design should first and foremost be ‘for the people,’ always illustrating an understanding and care for those who ultimately use our spaces. Her many years of experience with PCA have led to long term relationships with our clients in developing award-winning projects in the retail, restaurant, academic and commercial markets. Her most interesting challenge to date involves her work on the development of Arsenal Yards – a large-scale revitalization of the Arsenal Mall to create a balanced “Live, Work, Play” environment that makes use of all her design and management talents.

With a Master’s from the Boston Architectural College and a B.A. from Clemson University, and as the recipient of the AIA Arthur N. Tuttle Jr. Graduate Fellowship in Health Facility Planning and Design, Laura is passionate about exploring architecture’s role in health and wellness and its application to all building types.

Leslie Simpson  PHR

Leslie joined PCA in 2014, bringing 10 years of experience in Human Resources management. Leslie’s focus is of course on the amazing staff at PCA; making sure they are the best they can be and have everything they need to thrive…with some nice perks along the way!

Lindsay Bach  NCIDQ, IIDA, LEED AP ID+C

Lindsay finds her passion in the creation of sustainably designed environments that foster community while yielding an atmosphere of productivity and intrigue. Lindsay spent much of her Master’s study focusing on post-disaster recovery through design, which she presented at Architecture for Humanity’s “Design Like You Give a Damn” and the IDEC Regional conference. She believes the interior design field has the opportunity to break through existing boundaries and meet new challenges.

With a background in lighting design, Lindsay brings this technical knowledge to all aspects of her work. She earned her BFA from Cazenovia College and her MFA in Interior Architecture from the New England School of Art and Design. In her spare time, Lindsay likes to go rummaging through flea markets and tap into her love of fine art with portrait drawing.

Mareesa Graf

Mareesa is motivated in her work to create meaningful places for posterity, as well as a future for herself and those of her generation to enjoy. She recognizes the importance of understanding the complexities and beauty behind all types of design and architectural typologies. She defines a community as a place where individuals can provide for each other, communicate and feel safe, leading the project and designs to reflect the needs and ideas of that community. At PCA, Mareesa has assisted with the exciting schematic design of Tuscan Village and succeeded with a new client in completing a large housing project – one that she hopes will pave the way for future residential work for herself and the office.

Mareesa has been a part of PCA’s volunteer-team for the Friday Night Supper Program and Habitat for Humanity, and has participated in competitions such as Canstruction and the IIDA Fashion Show. Outside the office, Mareesa enjoys Zumba, which integrates her interests in both dance and fitness, and she also enjoys watching TV shows and movies – both an endless source of visual and auditory inspiration.

Marija Ilic  AIA, CPHC, LEED AP BD+C

Marija brings more than 20 years of experience in a variety of projects including multifamily residential and mixed use, restaurants, offices, and fitness facilities. She believes that architecture and urban planning have a major impact on people’s quality of life, health, and wellbeing. Each community member comes with their own ideas, values, experiences and backgrounds, and Marija strives to achieve the best built result that echoes those values. She enjoys working in urban infill, which are often puzzles that involve putting the right pieces in place to create harmonious, coherent structures that offer a bit of surprise.

She is looking forward to future advances in the development of mass timber construction, the expansion of urban farms creating efficiencies in food production, and floating cities as an example of how we, as humans, can adjust to a radically shifted environment.

Marija is an active member of ULI Boston/New England, dedicating her time to co-chairing the Women’s Leadership Initiative Council and UrbanPlan program volunteering. When not at work, Marija adores company of her daughter, son, and husband and celebrates any activity that brings the family together.

Mark Eclipse  AIA, LEED AP

A Principal at PCA, Mark brings 25 years of experience to the programming, planning and design of projects ranging from higher-education and multi-family residential to retail. He believes that every client has a message to convey, and is focused on helping them communicate their stories in built form. Dedicated to sustaining the firm’s high level of design, he believes in a rigorous process that sheds preconceptions and, ultimately, leads to work with soul and substance.

Educated at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Fine Art and Washington State University, Mark is active in the Roslindale, Massachusetts arts community, and as an artist/photographer/architect, he explores the connections between people, cultures, and environments.

Matthew Killam

Matthew immerses himself in every aspect of his projects, guiding an idea through from concept to reality. He believes it is the job of the architect to create well designed buildings that enhance everyday life, with spaces that reflect the needs of the community, while enhancing and shaping its future.

Matthew has practiced in a diversity of locations, including Peru and South Florida. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) (‘10), and a Bachelor of Science from Roger Williams University (‘01). He represented FAU at the 2010 Florida AIA Annual Conference, where he presented his award winning thesis project. He draws his greatest inspiration from his family who motivate him to grow in his profession and build upon his years of expertise and experience.

Meghan Bell  AIA

Meghan finds inspiration for design particularly when she travels. She loves seeing how different communities solve problems like sea level rise, city congestion, safety, providing green spaces, and developing new housing systems and options, through innovative design. She enjoys finding new ways to connect people by designing housing communities that integrate gathering spaces and outdoor spaces to encourage interaction between community members. She thinks the most successful designs find unique ways to address the needs of its users and are achieved by holistic approaches that integrate structure, systems, and aesthetics.

Meghan has spent the past 5 years working on affordable multifamily housing and placemaking in a disadvantaged neighborhood in Boston, and loves being able to make a positive impact locally. When she is not at PCA, she enjoys exploring new countries by bike with her partner, as well as going to the theater and seeing live music.

Meng Zhang

With a strong background in designing urban mixed-use residential spaces, Meng is motivated most by his client’s vision and the ability to be on a creative team who tackles realistic challenges. He loves solving the nitty-gritty issues, such as parking garage slope/stalls calculations, building circulation problems and code-related design details. His favorite new trends lie in building materials innovations and structural systems that can change conventional thought. For Meng, a strong community is synonymous with strong shared interests – places that become memorialized over time through such bonds.

Outside of PCA, Meng enjoys taking in a soccer game or reading a book.

Michelle Granick  AIA, LEED AP

Inspired by a passion for design, Michelle loves watching the transformation of an underutilized space into a purposeful one. She enjoys tackling problems where there are many possible solutions, and where the critical factor is understanding the needs and desires of the ultimate users of a space. These needs make each project unique and foster a sense of place and the feeling that design really does impact lives. Michelle also embraces new trends in green/sustainable design; the recognition of its importance to the built environment as well as its role in the well-being of the planet. She is also very proud of the substantial work she’s done over the years on multi-family housing, particularly affordable housing, which included new construction, renovation and historical renovation.

Michelle has been a volunteer through Horizons for Homeless Children at the YWCA in Cambridge for nearly 8 years, as a Playspace Activity Leader (PAL). She enjoys arts and crafts, baking, and traveling, with the belief that seeing global architecture makes for a more complete designer.

Nidhi John  AIA, LEED AP

Nidhi’s role includes the development and implementation of design for a range of clients in housing and higher-education, particularly historic restoration/adaptive reuse projects. What inspires Nidhi the most are the challenges involved in meeting the needs and desires of diverse communities. She likes to solve spatial problems using schematic/conceptual sketching. Not enamored of trends, Nidhi does find however that social media, TED talks, and Pinterest can often inspire new conversations and ideas.

At PCA she values the creativity, diversity and variety of colleagues in the studio. Nidhi is among PCA’s most ardent volunteers, working at soup kitchens and involved with her local church group to address charitable needs in India. Nidhi is an accomplished artist who also enjoys the outdoor life and sharing experiences with her sons, who constantly inspire her to look at things differently. Nidhi received her Master of Architecture from Kent State University and her B.A. from the University of Mumbai, India.

Phil Tomlinson  LEED AP BD+C

Using his previous experience working with major clients such as Pfizer, Brigham and Women’s, Dana Farber, Suffolk University, Converse and more, people and social interactions drive Phil to create. His motivation lies in thinking about how people will fully use the space and appreciate small gestures meant for them that will enhance their everyday experience. To Phil, community means identity. Every community has its own style, and it’s the designer’s job to express that style and identity to make a community feel like a space belongs to them.

When Phil is not busy at PCA, he loves to dance — anywhere and everywhere there is music and people. He is a leader of his dance company, Tribe; a non-profit dance company that performs about 40-50 gigs a year through the Boston area, many of which are volunteer/pro-bono gigs such as the Walk for Hunger, Strides Against Breast Cancer, and the Drug Enforcement Agency Youth Dance Program. He also loves riding his scooter and doing custom-work to his car.

Robert Krauszer

Since earning his Master’s in Architecture from Wentworth Institute of Technology in 2010, Rob has been inspired to create built environments that promote community – inviting places and spaces that engage people in their neighborhoods, encouraging them to gather and interact at home and at work. He likes the complicated projects with zoning challenges and tight site constraints – in short, the “impossible” projects.  Rob also keeps tabs on trends in sustainable design and advances in building technology.  He frequently enjoys the outdoors, engaging in a wide variety of activities like road cycling, hiking and camping for a chance to recharge and change up the scenery.

Robert Leyen

As a visual artist and designer, Robert loves working with rhythm and modules, contemporary takes on traditional ideas and forms, and spatial efficiency. He considers how to use design to encourage human interaction and community, knitting together the urban fabric and revitalizing neglected spaces to create neighborhoods and vibrant places where people will want to gather.

When not sampling the local culinary fare, Robert engages in visual art across a variety of media. A licensed Massachusetts teacher in Visual Arts (5-12) and Design and Visual Communications (9-14), he was a co-presenter on museum education at the Association of Academic Museums & Galleries and is currently on the Design and Visual Communications Advisory Committee for the Boston Arts Academy, designing and implementing a new career and technical program (CTE) for Design and Visual Communications. Robert earned his B.Arch. from the University of Arizona (’05) and his Teaching Certificate from the Massachusetts College of Art & Design in 2012.

Sarah Edwards

Scott McMillen  AIA

With experience in mixed-use multi-family housing, restaurant/hospitality, and renovation, Scott enjoys working closely with people from all different professions – learning about how they do their work, how they live their lives, and finding ways to create better spaces for them. He likes weaving existing patterns of the built environment into design concepts, believing that the cohesiveness between the two is the mark of a great project. Scott enjoys learning about new building technologies; a designer’s toolbox is always expanding, and knowing what’s out there and when to utilize it can help the industry progress.

A community, to Scott, is a group of people with a common interest or goal, often represented or served by a physical space – but in our world of ever-expanding online space, he is interested in the ways in which we might take advantage of increased connectivity in the built environment as well. When he is not at PCA, he is either snowboarding in the wintertime and on the beach during the summer.

Scott Wyatt

Scott was inspired to pursue a career in architecture at a very young age when he did a school presentation on Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Intrigued by all the unique and personal touches included in the design, Scott realized as a designer one could make any building concept into a reality if one could figure out how to do it. This can-do problem-solving ideology is what he finds most gratifying about the profession. Scott likes a flexible approach to design, working collaboratively with the entire team striving for the greater good of the project.

When he has time, Scott enjoys various arts and crafts-oriented hobbies as well as sports. On weekends he often volunteers at the Scandinavian Living Center, in Newton, connecting with his Swedish heritage.

Shannon Epstein

A recent graduate of the New York School of Interior Design, Shannon is constantly growing in search of new ideas. She feels that a space should feel comfortable and make sense – the best design finds a balance between aesthetic and function. She enjoys incorporating aspects of nature into her design aesthetic through the use of natural light, interior planters, airy spaces and big windows. Shannon believes that interior design should be incorporated early in space planning, to maximize functionality and circulation for the end user.

Though she is a Bostonian at heart, Shannon loved her time spent at school in New York – being at the center of new trends and ideas. In her spare time she can be found at one of Massachusetts many beaches, enjoying the sun and beauty of nature.

Shaun Hallissey  CPHC, LEED AP Homes

As a designer, Shaun enjoys solving puzzles, balancing aesthetics, structure, building code, and user needs to realize a client’s vision. With a specialty degree in Design and Energy Conservation, he is a co-leader of PCA’s Sustainability Group, helping PCA to incorporate technological advances as well as time-proven sustainable strategies to create integrated design solutions. An avid hiker, camper and curler, Shaun also contributed considerable energy and enthusiasm to PCA’s award-winning CANstruction team.

Sheamus O’Sullivan

Sheamus defines a community as a collective that functions from interactions with one another. He believes that the goal for engaging a community with design is to make quality connections between people, ideas and objects — to do this, you have to “walk the streets” to understand how to celebrate its particular characteristics. He aims for clarity in his own work and finds satisfaction in attacking complex, meaningful problems. He is especially interested in advancing technologies that assist in making designs more flexible, communicative and serving core human needs.

When he’s not at PCA or studying for his Master’s at the BAC, Sheamus can be found seeking inspiration from running while listening to music, discovering public lectures and going on solo trips to the museum. He and his family also participate in charity fundraising for Neuroblastoma research and awareness through the non-profit organization Beat Nb.

Steve Banning  AIA, LEED AP BD+C

With a Master’s in Architecture from Wentworth Institute of Technology, Steve has been designing since 2008, involved in the planning, documentation and construction administration of a range of projects from multifamily housing to retail and higher education. He draws inspiration from working with our clients and tenants to solve complex design problems, leveraging his passion for computer technology to create photo realistic renderings that translate early conceptual napkin sketches into a snapshot of what the end user will experience. Outside PCA, Steve loves the outdoor life, competing in basketball leagues and local 5K and bike races.

Steve Bryson

A student at the Boston Architectural College, Steve is inspired by historical context – respecting and revitalizing the existing environment to create dynamic new spaces. With a B.A. in Architectural History from Boston University, he sees and enjoys the influence of trends from the past acting on the designs of today.  A problem solver and strong collaborator, he seeks to design places that support and engage community. A background in residential construction has also inspired and influenced how he approaches design problems at the start of his architectural career. When not involved in the visual world, Steve enjoys listening to and playing music with his band.

Steven Le  AIA

Steven’s many years of experience designing retail and lifestyle centers has fueled his belief that larger communities first evolve from small, individual contributions. It is finding the harmony between small and large, individual and community that inspires him to create stimulating social spaces. In his work he enjoys simplifying complicated processes and embracing a more reflective, meditative approach to developing surrounding environments. He feels that the architect can change the lifestyle of the consumer by mixing together the typical uses of traditional Main Street, creating spaces where people can work, live, and play.

Tracy Dupont  NCIDQ, IIDA, LEED AP

An accomplished interior designer with more than 20 years of experience, Tracy has created spaces for a wide variety of users. Whether designing a college dining hall or corporate headquarters, her goal is to create environments that function well for people. An Associate at PCA, Tracy combines her refined aesthetic with practicality, designing nuanced environments that foster new ideas and relationships. For Tracy, the true measure of success is the extent to which an interior space allows its users to thrive.

A LEED accredited, NCIDQ certified Interior Designer, Tracy maintains an active membership with the International Interior Design Association (IIDA). She holds a Bachelor of Fine Art from the University of Massachusetts, and was a lecturer at the Boston Architectural College. She has led seminars and presentations at the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) and the National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS). In the little free time she has, she enjoys gardening flowers and herbs, mixing together beauty and utility.

Wendy Prellwitz  AIA

As founding partner and former Director, Wendy’s vision and contributions are central to PCA’s philosophy. She combines an artistic approach with a commitment to create meaningful places that communicate intended messages. During her career – incubated with Benjamin Thompson –  she has applied her hand to retail, residential, and restaurant projects with a specialty in Interior Architecture. Notably, Wendy was named one of the top 10 woman architects in Boston by the Boston Herald in 2008 and 2009.

Wendy is a practicing painter and printmaker with regular exhibitions of her work. (www.wendyprellwitz.com).

Zulie Choi  EDAC, LEED GA

Zulie feels that the best answer to a design problem is emulating designs and ideas from nature. For example, allowing in daylight without glare issues, choosing sophisticated and geographically-appropriate textures and soothing colors for interior finishes, and repeating biomimicry patterns as a design point which echo those found in organic molecules. By creating a space inspired by introducing natural themes into an indoor space, designers can create greener and more efficient processes for our environment and lives.

During her graduate study, Zulie developed an assessment tool that evaluated the indoor environmental quality of public space in a healthcare setting and identified some strengths and weaknesses via case study. Using that data, she had the opportunity to share the framework and result of the study at an interior design educator’s conference.

Holding an M.S. in Building Construction Management and an MFA in Interior Design from Purdue University, Zulie is always looking for better design approaches in order to improve occupants’ experience, ease maintenance, and identify an ideal aesthetic and branding approach while bringing in the beautiful outdoors, indoors.