Daniela Holt Voith

FAIA, LEED AP BD+C, IIDA, ASID

Founding Partner and Director of Design

Daniela Holt Voith, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C, IIDA, ASID, is a founding principal of Voith & Mactavish Architects and our director of design. Holding degrees from Yale University School of Architecture and Bryn Mawr College, Daniela has dedicated her career to promoting the advancement of design for educational environments. Her client-focused practice supports leading edge pedagogical thought and encourages mindful ways of living and learning. Daniela has developed a method of practice that moves fluidly from planning initiatives to building design. Her many long-term relationships with educational institutions result in designs that carefully suit her clients’ missions, reflect their architectural identities, and assist in achieving their strategic goals. She is also consistently looking for ways for her projects to be sustainable in innovative ways. Her work has received numerous national and local accolades. 

Daniela is also an educator. Since the early 1980’s she has taught at Yale University as a TA, University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University, and has developed and taught Bryn Mawr College’s design studio program. She often serves on juries for professional awards in architectural design and construction quality, as well as serving on academic reviews.

Daniela has consistently sought out opportunities to make a positive impact in her community. Mayor Michael Nutter appointed her to serve on the city’s award-winning 2008 Zoning Code Commission, which revised the city’s 50-year-old code. Daniela is currently President of the Institute for Classical Architecture & Art – Philadelphia Chapter; Director of the Carpenter’s Company of Philadelphia; and Board Member of the Design Leadership Foundation, whose mission is to ensure a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the fields of architecture and design. 

Daniela loves to travel, bike, and ride trains. This is facilitated by her ability to speak French and German. This love for exploration – so far having visited over fifty countries and territories – is physically expressed in her collection of early 20th century lithograph train posters. Other joys in Daniela’s life include her family, basketball, cooking and playing the recorder.

John H. Cluver

AIA, LEED AP

Partner & Director of Historic Preservation

John H. Cluver, AIA, LEED AP, began at VMA in 1994. As director of the firm’s preservation studio, he has worked as architect and preservation consultant on a wide range of projects for educational, commercial, and cultural institutions, including award-winning work at Drexel University, the Bryn Mawr Film Institute, and Philadelphia’s renowned Academy of Music, a National Historic Landmark. 

After receiving his professional degree in architecture from the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture, John received a Certificate in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania School of Design. He currently serves on the City of Philadelphia’s Historical Commission Architectural Advisory Committee and is active in groups like the Philadelphia Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. In 2006, he volunteered with the National Trust for Historic Preservation in New Orleans to complete urgent conditions assessments in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The American Institute of Architects Philadelphia Chapter honored John in 2008 as Young Architect of the Year. 

John is passionate about supporting an approach to preservation that also incorporates sustainable design: his published articles include “Saving Energy in Historic Buildings” in the Association for Preservation Technology Bulletin and he has also shared his expertise on the topic through presentations for the Preservation League of New York, the Society for College & University Planning (SCUP), and the Association of Physical Plant Administrators (APPA).

Outside the office, John is engaged in the long-term rehabilitation of his 1926 Foursquare house, which he affectionately calls “his hobby” in order to justify the time and money he spends on it.  His interest in leadership, service, and education, in addition to a long-standing enjoyment of camping and related activities, led him to a position as Scoutmaster before he was made member of the Board of the BSA Cradle of Liberty Council and the Chair of the Constellation District Committee. John will take any opportunity to tap into his inner travel agent and help family, friends, or complete strangers plan trips to Italy, which he counts as his favorite place on Earth for its unique combination of culture, geography, architecture, and food (and by food, he really means gelato).

Sennah L. Loftus

LEED AP BD+C

Associate Principal

Sennah Loftus, LEED AP BD+C, has been with VMA since 2000. She holds a Master of Architecture degree from Syracuse University School of Architecture and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics from Bryn Mawr College, where she frequently returns as a studio juror. In addition to her overall leadership as Associate Principal, Sennah’s underlying interest in detail and materials has led to her executive oversight of VMA’S interior design studio.

Sennah is an innovator, always looking for “both/and” solutions, and she particularly excels at creating advanced teaching spaces for colleges, universities, and independent schools. Her experience includes the first fully immersive classrooms at Rutgers University as well as award-winning classrooms at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School that sensitively balanced large LED arrays with ornate historic plasterwork. She has shared her approach with others through presentations for NeoCon, APPA, and other national organizations.

An athlete since very early on in life, Sennah has a healthy dose of a competitiveness in her nature. She is the star second baseman for the VMA softball team and is always willing to join in for a pick-up game of basketball. She swam for both her high school and her college and still enjoys swimming laps. Sennah and her family are inveterate travelers and consistently visit new places, drawing inspiration from examples of the built environment.

Robert A. Douglass

AIA, LEED AP BD+C, CPHD

Senior Associate

Robert A. Douglass, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, CPHD, has been with VMA since 2005. He was the 2010 Henry Adams Medal recipient for his Master of Architecture coursework at University of Miami. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Cities from Haverford College and has studied in Rome, Istanbul, and Tokyo. Rob recently became VMA’s first Certified Passive House Designer, in keeping with his personal commitment to sustainability and his role as Senior Associate in leading our firm-wide sustainable design standards.

Rob is driven to design campus environments that positively shape student outcomes, especially for young children, and brings a deep knowledge of different pedagogical models and their expression through architecture. He has also developed a deep appreciation for historic buildings, and he has worked with Yale University, Lincoln University, St. George’s School (RI), and others to make their older buildings both more sustainable and more responsive to contemporary student needs.

Rob and his wife, an independent school educator, often take their two young boys biking or hiking in addition to regular trips to their sustainably designed Vermont cabin.

Robert P. Duke

AIA

Senior Associate

Robert Duke, AIA, joined VMA in 2015 after working as a residential design architect in New York. He received his Bachelor of Arts in History from The Catholic University of America and his Master of Architecture from the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture. As one of the firm’s Senior Associates, Rob provided leadership in establishing and maintaining quality control standards for our design documentation.

Leveraging his strong personal passion for traditional design, Rob has become an expert at documenting technically-complex traditional details on larger institutional projects as well as working with construction partners to see those details built appropriately. Projects like The Commons at Villanova University, an 1,100-bed student housing complex inspired by historic campus architecture, are the perfect example of Rob’s expertise.

In his free time, Robert enjoys working on his 1932 “Booker Built” Brick Colonial home and getting outside to explore Delaware’s parks.

J. Scott O'Barr

AIA

Senior Associate

J. Scott O’Barr, AIA, graduated cum laude from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Architecture. He joined VMA in 2019 bringing experience with traditional design and preservation, especially for residential commissions, some of which have been published in New Old House, Period Homes, and Architectural Digest.

Scott leads our residential practice as a Senior Associate, working on projects ranging from small but complex kitchen renovations to the complete renovation of historic estates. He has served in leadership roles for AIA Philadelphia and AIA Pennsylvania and actively volunteers with the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art Philadelphia Chapter.

Kimberly Wajda

Director of Business & Human Resources

Kim has been with Voith & Mactavish Architects since 1998 and is integral to the firm’s operations. She is responsible for contract management, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and the overall financial management of the firm. She is also the human resources manager, overseeing our hiring process, and the benefits coordinator. 

Kim graduated Magna Cum Laude from Peirce College in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She has an interest in early and elementary education and has been a volunteer religious education teacher since 2009.  Outside of work, she loves spending time with her family, especially her two college-aged kids, and all things Disney.

Meaghan M. Finney

Director of Communications

Meaghan joined VMA in early 2017. In addition to meeting with prospective clients and working with staff as the firm’s business development lead, she oversees the firm’s marketing initiatives as well as other internal and external communications.

Meaghan graduated with honors from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in the History of Art & Architecture and a certificate in Historic Preservation before earning her Master of Science in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania School of Design. At Penn, she was a member of the Penn Museum Graduate Advisory Board and has continued volunteering throughout her career – especially in Philadelphia’s preservation community. She is a former co-chair of the award-winning Young Friends of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia steering committee, former member of AIA Pennsylvania’s Historic Preservation Task Force, and currently co-chairs the AIA Philadelphia Chapter Historic Preservation Committee. She also serves on both the Society for College & University Planning (SCUP) Mid-Atlantic Regional Council and the board of the Association of Physical Plant Administrators (APPA) Delaware Valley Chapter, working with both organizations to produce meaningful professional development opportunities for higher education facilities professionals.

When she is not working or volunteering, her favorite activities are working in her ever-growing garden and exploring new cuisines through cooking.

David Fante

AIA, LEED AP

Senior Project Manager

David Fante, AIA, LEED AP, joined VMA in October 2022 as a seasoned Senior Project Manager. He brings twenty years of experience working for some of the area’s largest firms, with a particular specialty for technically complex renovations. David worked extensively with museums and other mission-driven non-profit institutions in addition to experience working in high-end single-family residential design. He is currently managing two VMA projects involving surgical renovations and restoration to historically significant campus buildings. David is one of many avid soccer fans in our office and, a decade ago, he helped found a club for Philadelphia fans of his favorite team, AC Milan.

Andrew Lipschutz

Senior Project Manager

When Andrew Lipschutz joined VMA in early 2012, he brought experience in educational design as well as transportation infrastructure like train stations and airports. He received his Bachelor of Arts in the History of Architecture from the University of Maryland, and his Master of Architecture from Syracuse University. Andrew has been actively involved in the PACTS program (Partnerships for Achieving Careers in Technology and Science) at The Franklin Institute for over nine years, using his skills to expose young minds to the science behind design. When he travels, Andrew especially enjoys exploring different cities and cultures, a highlight of which has been running with bulls in Pamplona!

Luca Segato

LEED Green Assoc.

Senior Project Manager

Luca Segato, LEED Green Assoc., joined VMA in August 2022 after practicing for almost twenty years in both the United States and Italy, where he received his graduate degree in architecture from Venice’s Università Iuav di Venezia. His varied portfolio includes a range of governmental, civic, hospitality, and multi-family residential projects. Currently, he is applying his skill for managing significant renovations for projects like the phased renovation of an independent school in the Northeast and the reconfiguration and modest expansion of a mid-century university building. Like several VMA staff, he is passionate about soccer and has volunteered as a coach with the Swarthmore Recreational Association since 2017.

Isabella Bartenstein

Associate AIA

Project Manager

Isabella Bartenstein, Associate AIA, rejoined VMA as a Project Manager, having earned her Master’s Degree in Architecture from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation in 2021. She joined the firm in 2014 as a draftsperson after receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Growth and Structure of Cities from Bryn Mawr College. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, painting oil landscapes, and attempting to teach her husband Spanish. 

Michele Borgia

Office Manager

Michele Borgia has been our Office Manager since 2014 and is the smiling face that greets all our visitors. She received her Associates Degree in Applied Science from the Community College of Philadelphia as part of the Medical Assistant/Office Management Program and, prior to joining VMA, worked as a Certified Medical Assistant for a dental practice. Michele enjoys collecting Wizard of Oz items and can usually be found spending time with her three children.

Clifton Fordham

RA, IFMA, LEED AP

Affiliate Architect

Clifton Fordham is an Assistant Professor at the Temple University Tyler School of Art & Architecture and the Howard University College of Engineering & Architecture. He was a member of our team earlier in his career and returned to VMA as an affiliate in 2020. Clifton received his Master of Architecture from Yale University, and his Bachelor of Architecture from Howard University. He is an active member of the Passyunk Square Civic Association, and in his free time he enjoys reading, exploring cities by foot, and working on his self-designed home.

Nathaniel Gotcher

AIA

Architect

Nathaniel Gotcher, AIA, practiced primarily high-end residential design before following his love of traditional architecture to VMA. He received his Bachelor of Architecture from University of Notre Dame School of Architecture. Nate spends time playing the mandolin, guitar and piano; reading; discussing political philosophy, and playing the Legend of Zelda video game series. He also collects vinyl records, both vintage and new.

Maggie Holsinger

AIA

Project Manager

Maggie Holsinger, AIA, returned to VMA in late 2022 in our New York office, following a previous three-year tenure in our Philadelphia office that ended in 2021. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture. Her portfolio includes a varied mix of high-end single-family residential projects, educational projects for both higher ed and independent schools, and K-12 campus planning. She has also worked with historically significant buildings, like the renovation and restoration of classrooms in Silverman Hall at the University of Pennsylvania which were originally designed by Cope & Stewardson. She has volunteered with New York Cares for years and is a dedicated runner.

Adam Hoover

Designer

Adam Hoover joined VMA in September 2022, bringing with him three years of experience working on primarily preservation-related projects. He has an undergraduate degree in architecture, with a minor in historic preservation, from Thomas Jefferson University. Adam was a community service coordinator at Jefferson and helped arrange student projects through Habitat for Humanity. He stays active by engaging in activities like rock climbing and hiking, and helps organize an annual field day with his friends that includes trophies and digital “trading cards” for participants. He also loves to cook and organizes weekly dinner parties with his roommates scheduled around their favorite show.

Ricky Jimenez DelValle

Designer

Ricky Jimenez DelValle joined VMA in 2021 after working on urban planning, multi-family residential, and adaptive re-use projects. He graduated magna cum laude with his Bachelor of Architecture, Historic Preservation concentration, from the University of Notre Dame. Ricky speaks Spanish fluently. He enjoys playing, watching, and discussing sports, especially soccer, as well as experiencing food through cooking and trying new restaurants.

Alison Kass

AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Architect

Alison Kass, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, joined VMA in 2020 after working on mixed-use projects and private residences in New York. She graduated magna cum laude from Tulane University with a Master of Architecture and a minor in Urban Studies. Alison has used her strong understanding of residential architecture and built a house from the foundation up as part of a public service driven semester during college. Since arriving in Philadelphia, she has been particularly struck by the city’s murals and has very much enjoyed exploring them. Alison’s free time includes activities like running, yoga, and cooking in addition to traveling all over the world.

Kevin King, Jr.

Associate AIA

Designer

Kevin King, Jr., Associate AIA, developed a portfolio of hospitality, cultural and educational design work before joining VMA. He received his Bachelor of Architecture from Philadelphia University (now Thomas Jefferson University) and graduated summa cum laude as a Distinguished Honors Scholar, with a Minor in Historic Preservation, and a Concentration in Global Portfolio. Kevin received the Henry Adams Medal & Certificate which is awarded annually by the American Institute of Architects to the nation’s top graduates. Today, Kevin actively volunteers time as a Board member of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia (PAGP) and enjoys traveling and exploring. When not outside, he can be found in the kitchen, meal-prepping for the week, cooking for friends and family, or trying a new baking recipe. He also spends time reading and writing books!

Jonathan Krumrine

RA

Affiliate Designer

Jonathan Krumrine, RA, has been with VMA since 2000. His love of architecture bloomed when he designed his parents’ home while working towards his Bachelor of Architecture degree at Drexel University and watched it grow from concept to reality. Jonathan’s passion for growing things has driven him to own and tend to his own farm in New Windsor, Maryland, where he regularly volunteers with The New Windsor Fire Company on fundraisers and events.

Jeff Lewis

AIA

Architect

Jeff Lewis, AIA, joined VMA in 2021 and brings with him experience working on a wide range of projects, from contemporary high-end residential to more traditional institutional and hospitality projects. He earned his Bachelor of Architecture from Rice University. Jeff is a big fan of post-modern architecture and, when he is at home, loves tending to his plants and watching Disney vlogs.

Dora Yu Kei Lo

Designer

Dora Yui Kei Lo joined VMA in October 2022 after spending two years working on multi-family and mixed-use residential projects. She received her undergraduate architecture degree from Syracuse University and her graduate degree in Advanced Architectural Design from Cornell University. Dora loves spending time on the water kayaking or dinghy sailing but also loves trail running, hiking, and biking. She grew up in Hong Kong and speaks fluent Cantonese.

Tarin Martinez

Intern

Tarin Martinez joined VMA in 2021 and is pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree through the Growth and Structure of Cities program at Bryn Mawr College. Her interest in architecture stems from her family’s aerospace design/building manufacturing company, where she has assisted in a variety of roles. Tarin is a debate team veteran and volunteers now as a tournament judge. She loves road tripping, thrifting vintage fashion or records, and reading – especially books about World War II.

Matthew McCarty

Allied ASID

Designer

Matthew McCarty, Allied ASID, joined VMA in 2021 after working at the intersection of interior design and historic preservation, especially adaptive re-use projects. His experience includes high-end residential as well as civic, institutional, and hospitality projects. Matthew graduated from Roger Williams University with a Master of Science in Historic Preservation, and from North Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design. He has lived/worked in nine states and has driven across America three times! He is also a seven-year veteran of the horticultural industry and still very much enjoys gardening. He also loves writing letters and has custom stationary and wax seals; he jumps at the opportunity to send a “thank you” card or hand-written note.

Kaetlin McGee

EIT, LEED AP BD+C

Sustainability Coordinator

Kaetlin McGee, EIT, LEED AP BD+C, joined VMA in June 2021 as coordinator for our sustainable design initiatives, ranging from managing LEED certifications to assisting with research on emerging methodologies. She graduated from SUNY Buffalo with a degree in mechanical engineering and has worked as both an engineer and as technical support for a power plant, focused on their engineering software. Kaetlin is a member of the local Association of Women in Science (AWIS). In addition, she volunteers regularly with Bethesda Project, an organization that supports and provides emergency shelter for Philadelphians experiencing homelessness, and takes Muay Thai classes in her free time. Some of her favorite memories are the month-long European tour she took with friends after college and the time she won tickets to see Saturday Night Live in 2017.

Mariam Mshvidobadze

Interiors Sustainability Coordinator

Mariam Mshvidobadze joined the VMA interiors studio in July 2022 shortly after graduating from Bryn Mawr College with an undergraduate degree in environmental studies, focusing on urban design and sustainability. She has a passion for historic architecture and was one of ten students selected to attend the Society of Architectural Historians Annual Conference with a Student Diversity Fellowship in 2021. Mariam, a native of Georgia, spent years volunteering with the American Friends of Georgia and used to sing in an ensemble group that specialized in Georgian folk singing. She speaks Georgian and Russian fluently.

Elizabeth Anthony Nestor

LEED AP BD+C

Project Manager

Elizabeth Anthony Nestor, LEED AP BD+C, brings the perspective of both an owner’s representative and a university capital planning & facilities professional to our higher education project management. She holds a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania Weitzman School of Design as well as a Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Practices from Jefferson University and an MBA from Babson College. Elizabeth describes herself as a serial home renovator, but is currently spending time with her two border collies. Her earliest architectural memory is seeing the Geisel Library perched on a hill in LaJolla, “looking for all the world like a huge diamond solitaire.”

Maria Niedziejko

Designer

Maria Niedziejko joined VMA after graduating with her Master of Architecture from The Catholic University of America, where she also studied as an undergraduate. She served as President of the school’s AIA Student chapter and worked as both a Teaching Assistant, leading introductory-level courses on hand drawing and conceptual development, and as an assistant in the Fabrication Lab. Maria, who fenced sabre in high school, devotes her free time to a wide range of creative interests that include baking, origami, and knitting.

Beatriz Orozco

Project Designer

Beatriz Orozco joined VMA in early 2022, bringing architectural and interior design experience in high-end residential, hospitality, and corporate. A Spanish native, Bea graduated from Madrid Polytechnic Institute with Masters of Architecture and holds an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering from Miguel de Cervantes European University. She remains a licensed professional engineer and architect in Spain.

Bea enjoys the artistic act of constructing architectural models as well as drawing, painting, and other creative pursuits. She has travelled extensively, including visiting seven countries on her honeymoon shortly before the pandemic.

Mónica Ortiz-Cortés

Associate AIA

Preservation Specialist

Mónica Ortiz-Cortés, Associate AIA, joined the VMA preservation studio in Fall 2021. She earned her Bachelor of Architecture from the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico and Master of Science in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania. Her academic career included several accolades: she was a member documentation teams that won third place in the 2017 Charles E. Peterson Prize and first place in the 2016 Holland B. Leicester Prize, both administered by the Library of Congress’s Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) program, and was awarded a Mildred Colodny Diversity Scholarship from the National Trust of Historic Preservation. Mónica currently volunteers with the Royal Institute of British Architects – USA chapter (RIBA-USA) and has recently begun learning to make pottery.

Jordan Schrad

Associate AIA, LEED GA

Designer

Jordan Schrad, Associate AIA, LEED GA, joined VMA after graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture from University of Notre Dame School of Architecture, seeking to expand on his interest in institutional and academic design. He loves watching, playing, and discussing basketball and is a PIAA Basketball Official, an Official for Philly Sports Leagues/Heyday Athletic, and is a member of the Notre Dame Club of Philadelphia. Like many on the VMA staff, Jordan also enjoys traveling and has spent time backpacking in Europe which featured stops in Marrakesh, Morocco, and Budapest, Hungary.

Eric Spaeth

Affiliate Designer

Eric Spaeth, our resident scholar and renaissance man, recently returned to VMA as an affiliate after working with us for more than a decade before founding his own practice. He received his Master of Architecture from Yale University after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Jurisprudence from Oxford University and a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Civilization from Yale. Eric is the co-founder and co-manager of Squirrel Island Community Garden in Maine, an organic garden which focuses on produce. Along with the garden’s volunteers, he builds and maintains the garden’s fencing, raised planting beds, and shed using lumber leftover from storms on the island. He also enjoys baking and cooking, foraging, painting with watercolor and oils, cold-water swimming, and playing ukulele.

Derek Supinsky

AIA

Designer

Derek Supinsky, AIA, joined VMA after gaining experience on residential projects, particularly supportive housing design and modular housing systems. He graduated from Syracuse University with a Masters of Architecture, and SUNY Buffalo with a Bachelors of Science in Design. When he is not designing, Derek enjoys sketching, taking photographs, playing guitar, and camping. He has traveled all over the United States and has lived in several states, including Florida, New York, and Arizona.

Jennifer Trzaska

Designer

Jennifer Trzaska joined VMA in September 2022 after graduating with her undergraduate degree in architecture from the University of Notre Dame. She credits Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic Fallingwater as the building that sparked her desire to be an architect. Jenny was an active volunteer at Notre Dame and is exploring different service organizations in Philadelphia, but currently spends her time practicing furniture design and woodworking.

Nina Voith

Designer

Nina Voith started working with VMA while in college. After graduating from Haverford and working for a year for a prestigious architect in NYC, she joined us full time in 2015. Currently she is in the graduate program in architecture at the University of Miami, while still lending an occasional hand. She has a strong interest in hospitality and in interior design. She worked on her own with a hotelier in El Salvador to design a series of villas which opened for rental in 2019.

Nina is an All American basketball player, holding her college record for scoring. Her deep knowledge of the game helped her with the schematic designs for VMA’s Philadelphia Youth Basketball Center project. 

Nina has traveled to six continents and over fifty countries, and loves experiencing both the architecture and the vast variety of cuisines. When at home she also explores and tries her hand at recreating her most memorable dishes. 

Elie Zeinoun

Associate AIA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP

Designer

Elie Zeinoun, Associate AIA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, joined VMA in 2021 after graduating from Columbia University with his Master of Architecture. He previously earned his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the American University of Beirut, and practiced landscape architecture in the Middle East before returning to school. Elie served as a Program Council representative at both AUB and Columbia, and often organized “6on6” social events at Columbia as well. His role as a teaching assistant and, ultimately, leader of Columbia’s Introduction to Architecture course in Summer 2021 has given him a passion for design pedagogy. He speaks six languages, including Arabic, French, and Italian, and loves to play soccer and tennis.