2026

  • Seven people stand indoors, smiling at the camera. One man in a dark suit holds a framed certificate. All wear business attire and conference lanyards. Light walls and curtains are in the background, suggesting a formal event or award ceremony.

    Preservation PA Awards

    A large component of the VMA team attended the 2026 Preservation PA Awards with not one but two projects winning awards at the event. The awards included a Leadership Award in Public Impact for The Alan Horwitz “Sixth Man” Center for Philadelphia Youth Basketball, and a Construction Award in Rehabilitation for Cresson Hall at Lincoln University. [Photo by Emily Rund]

  • A group of about 30 smiling people, adults and kids, pose outdoors under large trees. Most wear matching gray T-shirts with a logo. Some kneel or sit in front; a few hold children or a dog. Cars and grass are visible in the background.

    Summer Softball

    VMA spends its Wednesday evenings in the summer competing in the Architect’s Softball League, a slow pitch softball league for the building and construction industries throughout Philadelphia. While some teams are more serious than others, VMA stresses fun and inclusion, and regularly has participation from employees, family, and friends alike. Games are played in nearby Fairmount Park and provide a great time outdoors and community building amongst the firm for both players and spectators. 

  • A three-story brick building features arched windows, dormer windows, and a central domed roof. Trees and grass line the walkway, with one person walking near the entrance under a clear blue sky.

    Cresson Hall Wins Preservation Alliance Award

    On Wednesday, June 3rd, VMA had the honor of attending the Preservation Alliance Awards alongside our client, Lincoln University, where we proudly accepted the Grand Jury Award for the restoration and rehabilitation of Cresson Hall. This recognition celebrates the collaborative effort to preserve one of the University’s most significant historic buildings while preparing it to serve future generations. We are grateful to Lincoln University for their partnership and to everyone whose dedication helped make this project a success.

     

  • A house with a red roof, white and gray wood siding, two red brick chimneys, several windows with black shutters, and a clear blue sky in the background.

    2026 Traditional Building Conference

    Alison Kass and Elie Zeinoun headed down the shore to attend the 2026 Traditional Building Conference in Cape May, New Jersey and had a wonderful time enjoying and learning about the city’s historic Victorian architecture. Tours included Painted Ladies, Porches, and More Walking Tour, and the Combination Mansions by the Sea Trolley Tour & Physick Estate House Tour, hosted by Cape May MAC.

  • A smiling man in a tuxedo and a woman in a black dress with a silver necklace sit close together at a formal event, surrounded by gold chairs and other guests. Glasses and a roll are visible on the orange-topped table before them.

    Arthur Ross Awards

    VMA was thrilled to receive the 2026 Arthur Ross Award in Architecture from the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, and was joined by clients, colleagues, friends, and family to accept the award at the May 11th awards ceremony. Dubbed the Academy Awards of the design world, the honor reflects the firm’s 38 years of practice that includes houses, schools, universities, and theaters. [Photo by Jared Siskin / Patrick McMullan via Getty Images]

  • A smiling man in glasses wears a black robe, maroon-and-white medallion, and patterned tie. He stands before a white wall engraved with “WHERE WORDS SPEAKS.” The setting appears formal, suggesting an academic or ceremonial event.

    2026 AIA Conference Fellows Investiture

    VMA would like to congratulate John Cluver, Senior Partner & Director of Preservation, for being appointed to the AIA’s College of Fellows, its highest membership honor. John was thrilled to attend the Fellows Investiture at the AIA26 Conference on Architecture & Design in San Diego in person to receive his medal!

  • A group of people play basketball on an indoor court with wooden floors and high ceilings. One player jumps toward the hoop with the ball, while others watch or get ready to move. The setting is spacious, with large industrial windows and exposed beams.

    Philadelphia Youth Basketball Photoshoot

    It was a great joy to photograph our completed project at Philadelphia Youth Basketball’s Sixth Man Center – whose mission is to empower disadvantaged youth through teaching leadership, financial literacy, academic skills, and basketball. They also offer counseling, mindfulness, and on the job training. We think there will be some future March Madness stars starting here!

  • Spacious indoor basketball court with polished wooden floor, red and white markings, and a red wall. Large windows line the upper walls, letting in natural light. White ceiling beams and basketball hoops are visible, with trees seen through the windows.

    March Madness

    Continuing a much-beloved yearly office tradition, VMA’ers filled out their brackets for an office-wide bracket challenge. Good luck to all!

  • Two women collaborate in a bright office. One is seated, writing on papers, while the other stands, holding blueprints. A detailed architectural model with trees is on the table. Large windows provide natural light in the modern workspace.

    Women's History Month

    The office has been celebrating women making history in March: Daniela Holt Voith & Sennah Loftus are the majority partners of VMA and lead the longest continuously operating women owned architecture firm in Philadelphia (and possibly Pennsylvania). The full leadership team includes more women as well: Kim Wajda, Isabella Bartenstein, and Nina Voith!

  • A white egret stands at the edge of a calm pond, surrounded by grass and reeds. The water reflects palm trees and the bird’s silhouette. Sunlight illuminates the scene, creating bright and shaded areas on the ground and water.

    NBOA: Business Leadership Orlando

    Members of the VMA team traveled down to Orlando, Florida to attend the 2026 meeting of the National Business Officers Association. It was great to see independent school business friends and colleagues and attend various deep dive presentations into topics like sustainable campus facility upgrades and expanding a school campus through acquisition or merger with another educational institution.

  • A busy trade show floor with many people walking and talking among various display booths. The space has a high, industrial ceiling with bright lights. Red carpet marks the main walkways, and informational banners and signs hang above exhibitors’ booths.

    New York Build

    VMA NYC attended the New York Build 2026 Expo at the Javits Center and got the chance to learn about new building materials, innovative technologies, and upcoming regulatory updates.

2025

  • A group of people in business attire stand indoors near large windows. Many hold drinks, including one man in front raising his glass. Most appear to be listening intently, suggesting a toast or speech at a professional event.

    Montclair Kimberley Academy Inquiry & Innovation Center Dedication

    Elie Zeinoun from the VMA team joined the Montclair Kimberley Academy Community for the dedication of the brand-new Inquiry & Innovation Center. It was great to see the community finally enjoying and seeing the recently completed spaces.

  • Five smiling people pose indoors behind a large roasted pig garnished with greens on a table. One person wears a white toga, while the others wear black formal attire. Large windows reveal a night cityscape with illuminated buildings and water outside.

    Office Party

    Thanks to all our friends, family, and colleagues who joined us for a great evening celebrating VMA’s 37th anniversary as Philadelphia’s longest-running woman-owned architecture firm. If you missed the pig, come join us next year!

  • A large group of people in formal attire mingles in an elegant, marble-pillared hall with tall windows and ornate decor. Some guests hold drinks or snacks, and a few servers are present. Warm lighting fills the space, and a digital screen stands at one end.

    Uptown Film Center Name Unveiling

    VMA was thrilled to join The Upper West Side Cinema Center, Inc. and fellow supporters of the Uptown Film Center at Villa Albertine for the announcement of the new name for the cinema on the Upper West Side, formally The Metro Theater.

  • Spacious, modern two-story dining hall with large windows letting in natural light; central open area with lounge seating below, cafeteria tables above, and pendant lights hanging from the high ceiling. Outside, trees show autumn colors.

    Berkshire Campus Center Dedication

    Members of the VMA team attended the dedication of the new Berkshire School Campus Center we recently completed. It was wonderful evening and great to see the spaces now finished and enjoyed!

  • Three women stand smiling together in front of a large, colorful wall mural depicting a vibrant, scenic landscape with trees, mountains, and flowers. They are indoors, near a roped-off fountain, and dressed in casual, neutral-colored clothing.

    Welcome Summer Interns

    VMA has been joined for the summer by an outstanding trio of summer interns: Mirna Obeid, Gina Princivalle and Shabrea Davis. Mirna, Gina and Shabrea will be shadowing the VMA team, joining site visits and assisting with ongoing projects.

     

  • Two women smiling take a selfie outside on a green lawn with the historic Governor’s Palace, a large brick colonial building with white trim and a cupola, in the background. Other visitors and leafy trees are visible under a partly cloudy sky.

    Traditional Building Conference

    Maggie Holsinger & Elena Ezzo attended the Traditional Building Conference in Williamsburg, VA in June. They appreciated learning about the latest in paint analysis technology, networking with fellow historic building lovers, and exploring the town of Williamsburg on foot. It was exciting to see how the traditional trades come together to aid in the restoration and maintenance of the 1770s era buildings that make up the heart of Williamsburg. They were particularly piqued by the pit saw!

  • A group of people stands on a street corner, some facing a crosswalk. Across the street are historic red-brick, Victorian-style buildings with steep roofs and chimneys. Traffic lights, cars, and a tall apartment building appear in the background under a blue sky.

    Wellness Week

    Wellness Week is a dedicated time for health and well-being at VMA. As part of the firm’s ongoing commitment to wellness and sustainability in the workplace, the 2025 program offered staff a range of optional activities throughout the week focused on physical & mental health, social connection, and enjoyment. The week kicked off with an historical architecture walking tour down Walnut Street, led by Partner Scott O’Barr, looking at notable buildings like the Coronado Condominiums designed by Milligan and Webber (1910), and Lenfest Hall at the Institute of Music by VSBA (2011).

  • A woman wearing a gray shirt, black pants, and a glove stands at a baseball diamond, holding a yellow softball, ready to throw. Three people in pink shirts and hats stand behind the chain-link fence; trees and grass are in the background.

    First Game, First Win!

    A great summer of softball kicked off with a game against Turner Construction at Fairmount Park. VMA family and friends joined in to bring home the first win of the season.

  • Two people stand on a stage, smiling and shaking hands during an award ceremony. Each holds an award plaque. The background features a table with trophies, flower arrangements, and palm plants, with warm lighting enhancing the formal setting.

    Three Awards in One Night

    VMA joined the Philadelphia and Ohio & Lake Erie Chapters of the Insititute of Classical Architecture & Art on March 10th for the presentation of the 2025 Trumbauer Awards at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. VMA was thrilled to receive awards for three projects – Silverman Hall at The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School won the renovation/sympathetic addition award, Pulling House at Millbrook School won the residential interior design award, and Anthony House Alumni & Development Office at Millbrook School won the non-residential small architecture award! It was a great honor to celebrate the amazing amount of passion, hard work, and perseverance that went into each of the three award winning projects along with all those who contributed to the projects.

     

     

  • A person wearing glasses, a blue cap, and a white shirt stands smiling in front of a colorful geometric background featuring a large black oval with the white letters AIA on it. The person has a conference badge and a black shoulder bag.

    Eric Wang Attends 2025 AIA Conference

    Eric Wang attended the 2025 AIA Conference on Architecture & Design, held this year in Boston. The annual gathering brought together leading architects, designers, educators, and industry exports to explore current trends, innovative practices, and future-shaping technologies in the built environment. VMA’s participation reflects our ongoing commitment to professional development and the event provided valuable opportunities to gain insight into sustainable design strategies, and evolving codes and standards. Eric also enjoyed attending the Commitee on the Environment (COTE) Open Forum, and tour of Autodesk’s Technology Center in Boston’s Seaport District.

  • A large red-brick building with a red roof stands surrounded by trees and green lawn. A modern gray stone sculpture is on the grass in the foreground. The sky is overcast, and the scene is peaceful and lush.

    VMA Attends SCUP Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference

    VMA’s John Cluver and Elena Ezzo attended the Society of College and University Planners (SCUP) Mid-Atlantic Conference at Penn State University in May. The campus was an excellent venue to learn about higher-education projects in the region through sessions, walking tours, and networking events. VMA enjoyed making new connections and catching up with planning colleagues and old friends.

2024 Sustainability Recap

  • Two people work together at a desk with architectural plans, papers, and a scale model. Behind them are large printed renderings of building interiors and floor plans pinned to a blackboard. The setting appears to be a modern office or studio.

    2024 Sustainability Recap: INTEGRATIVE PROCESS

    An important part of our role as designers is to help our clients make informed decisions. We have reinforced the integration of sustainability in our process to engage our clients in discussions about their project’s ecological impact.

    – Our biggest success this year was in implementing a new format for our sustainability charettes participants and continuing that process with an internal analysis of passive strategies. This simple two-step process underpins all our projects, regardless of the client’s scope, timeline, budget, or sustainability goals. The primary goal here is to get clients to think beyond the normal bounds of green building certifications and consider the root of what they care about. We’ve discovered a main concern is choosing durable and healthy materials; things that relate to the occupant’s experience.

    – This leads to informal but structured discussions on where/how we might push the project to be greener. We try to discover what types of initiatives will engage the client, and finally, discuss potential roadblocks based on the unique needs of the project and client. For example, at House Rowland (a rowhome renovation in Philadelphia, PA) the Architect team met several times to discuss energy efficient window and door selections, as well as insulation types and locations. Some of the discussions were about addressing the owner’s fears and working to bring the contractor on-side with the plan.

    – We are moving the needle in terms of in-house energy modeling. Right now, a model is only complete if it is a LEED or Department of General Services project, processes that leave little room for modeling the “what if” scenarios that come up along a project’s schedule. VMA’s Sustainability team has been working alleviate this problem by leaning and implementing a software called WUFI (a German acronym). Mainly used for Passive House certification, WUFI simulates the movement of heat and moisture through walls or roofs, so one can predict how different materials will perform under various climate conditions over time.

    Chemistry is all around us, and materials are literally the building blocks that let us create masterpiece projects. Another major accomplishment was signing the A & D Materials Pledge! This is like the AIA 2030 Commitment but focuses specifically on materials instead of energy. In 2025, just as we report our building’s energy usage to AIA, we will now report on our material choices. Partner and Sustainability Program Director, Rob Douglass, has been working with a new client, the School in Rose Valley (Rose Valley, PA) to pilot some of these new ideas.

  • A collage of three buildings: on the left, a modern gray building with large windows; in the center, a historic stone building under renovation with scaffolding and construction equipment in snowy weather; on the right, a classic brick building with large windows and a gabled roof.

    2024 Sustainability Recap: WORK IN PROGRESS

    With a more structured internal approach to sustainable design, we look forward to seeing the results in some of our upcoming projects.

    Middlebury College First-Year Residence Hall (Middlebury, VT): This project is targeting LEED Gold, and while its status as a standalone building makes it somewhat conventional for us as a LEED effort, the use of both private and public renewable energy has made it an interesting case study for VMA.

    Sometimes it’s difficult to capture energy utility nuances in the LEED rating system. Or – perhaps these energy nuances are captured, but the LEED calculation sheet is complex and locked on some tabs, leaving the Architect team unfulfilled when it comes to following both dollars and electrons from source to site. Vermont’s renewable resources have provided nearly 100% of in-state electricity generation since 2023. Yet, it has been difficult to find a way to capture this in LEED points. It’s frustrating that maximizing LEED points disincentivizes the proposed design to maximize energy efficiency. So, while the MEP and architect teams have worked hard to maximize the level of sustainability on the project, the owner can’t see that benefit directly in their LEED certification.

    Montclair Kimberley Academy Upper School STEM Addition (Montclair, NJ): This project is targeting LEED Gold using the BD+C: Schools rating system. One difference worth highlighting is the ESA Phase 1 assessment, a perquisite for Schools. The purpose is to protect the health of vulnerable populations by ensuring that the site is assessed for environmental contamination and that any environmental contamination has been remediated. Because the site already holds the school’s main building, luckily, we didn’t uncover any problems.

    Due to the school’s proximity to New York City, there were certain design considerations that impacted which LEED points were targeted. The Architect team used a reliable public online mapping tool, EJScreen. For example, the map shows risk zones for weather events like extreme heat, wildfire, or flood; health disparities like heart disease or cancer; and critical service gaps such as food deserts and broadband gaps. One concern this analysis identified was air pollution, as the Newark Liberty International Airport is a mere seven miles away as the crow flies. Therefore, we strategized to maximize the LEED indoor air quality points.

    Muhlenberg College Seegers Student Union Expansion (Bethlehem, PA): This project is targeting LEED Gold. Muhlenberg College is also helping us with our materials initiatives. The LEED sourcing of raw materials credit is dependent on a percent-cost value, and can be worth one or two points. We estimated the total project cost and the material costs for the “bulk” materials – concrete, steel/metal framing, cast stone, brick, carpet, metal roofing, gypsum board, insulation, glass, ceramic tile, and acoustic ceiling tile. Starting with our go-to manufacturers, we narrowed our selection options to only those manufacturers that support the LEED credit.

  • Two people’s hands sorting through a variety of green, gold, and brown fabric swatches and samples on a table. Some swatches have labels or cards attached, and fabric textures range from smooth to woven patterns.

    2024 Sustainability Recap: CLEAN SLATE

    Another major feat this year has been the continuation of our interior design material library clean-out effort, which makes room for new and innovative materials. By working to make a product’s green qualities more apparent, the library will better benefit our interiors staff while encouraging others to explore the world of materials. We quickly realized that although we do not prefer vinyl flooring, it was still very much spread throughout the library samples. But not anymore!

    Maintaining a more organized office led to an uptick in waste. In response to this and other waste management concerns from staff have led to the creation of a new, more robust in-office recycling center. Now we can better sort and process sample waste, electronic waste, and plastic products. To make this happen, we’ve partnered with a small Philadelphia business called Rabbit Recycling.

  • Four people in matching blue VMA shirts pose in an office. Three stand—one woman holds a softball, one man holds a glove, another holds a bat and backpack. One woman kneels by open sports bags with equipment. A glass door and modern interior are in the background.

    2024 Sustainability Recap: STAFF DEVELOPMENT & SUPPORT

    At year-end, over 50% of VMA staff have some type of green accreditation – a critical short-term goal in our Sustainability Action Plan. We value this not only for the commitment it demonstrates to our clients, but also for the personal professional development of our staff.

    This year also formalized an internal committee we dubbed the “Wellness Warriors,” tasked with coordinating efforts to support staff wellness. They are responsible for hosting our annual Wellness Week as well as providing resources and events that support the staff’s physical, mental, and emotional health. As part of this effort, we now have a reference page dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace that includes links with some online resources on these topics.

  • Modern office scene with glass walls; three people sit around a table in a meeting room, while another person works at a desk outside. Large windows provide natural light, indoor plants are present, and architectural photos decorate the back wall.

    2024 Sustainability Recap: FUTURE THINKING

    What motivates us to grow in 2025 is pride in what we have accomplished thus far. In addition to strengthening the efforts outlined here, we specifically aim to work more aggressively towards our goals that intersect preservation and sustainability.

    As AIA 2030 Commitment signatories, our 2024 projects were targeting an 80% energy reduction from the baseline operational energy usage. Now in 2025, we will target 90%. This seems intense, but 2030 is not so far away. We look forward to another year of hard work in improving sustainability at VMA!

Special Edition: Celebrating Leadership

  • Eight professionally dressed adults pose in an office with large windows. Three men and one woman stand behind a brown couch, where one woman sits and one man sits on the armrest. Two more people stand at each end, all smiling in a bright, modern space.

    Celebrating Leadership

    VMA is proud to announce that Sennah L. Loftus, Robert A. Douglass, and J. Scott O’Barr became Partners, in January 2024. This is the first time since 2008 that the firm has expanded its partnership and only the second time since its foundation in 1988. As part of the collaborative succession model that welcomes VMA architects to step up to new executive positions, the firm will steer towards sustainable expansion and strategic growth in the coming future.

    Following VMA’s completion of 35 successful years in delivering educational, cultural, and residential projects as well as building a niche in environmental stewardship and historic preservation, the three new partners join Daniela Holt Voith, Founding Partner, and John H. Cluver, now Senior Partner, to bear leadership responsibilities. In addition to this role, Sennah L. Loftus will be named Director of Interior Design; Robert A. Douglass the Director of Sustainability; and J. Scott O’Barr the Director of Residential Design.

    “As I look forward to the future of VMA, I also look back. Our new partners Sennah Loftus and Rob Douglass have helped build the firm to what is today as they have been involved in every aspect of our practice, while Scott has built up the residential practice in recent years,” says Daniela Voith. “This expansion of ownership acknowledges that VMA would not be where it is without this strong leadership team and I am excited to see how VMA grows in its breadth and depth of our work to serve our clients and community.”

    Closely supporting the new five-partner management and the firm’s creative efforts is the next generation of leaders: Robert P. Duke, Associate Principal; Isabella Bartenstein, Associate and Director of New York Office; and Nina T. Voith, Associate & Associate Director of Interior Design, and Meaghan M. Finney, Associate & Director of Communications,

    As VMA embarks on this exciting journey to grow and further our contribution to the world with high-quality design, the team remains true to our core value of sustainable beauty and underlining response to context, tradition, and history. We are the longest running woman owned architecture firm in Pennsylvania, we are now JUST certified and we have signed the AIA 2030 commitment.