Ricardo Zurita, A.I.A., LEED AP

Principal

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Founder of the firm, Ricardo Zurita's body of work has focused on projects that require a multidisciplinary approach where planning, landscape and architectural design issues intersect. He has been widely recognized for his ability to blend regional materials and technologies to conceive innovative designs with contextual sensitivity; and to utilize the unique limitations of each project to create a concept-driven design. He is well regarded for his success in navigating projects through the process of public review; with extensive experience with municipal agencies, planning & design review boards, and advocacy & community groups.

Education:
Bachelor of Architecture
College of Architecture, Art and Planning
CORNELL UNIVERSITY, Ithaca, NY, 1984

Registration:
New York, 1989
New Jersey, 1998

Rafael Montes

Sr. Associate

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After ten years of experience in Spain, Mr. Montes joined RZAPS in 2012 to continue developing his passion for architecture in a new and enriching professional context.
An important part of his work has been devoted to social and institutional projects, which are especially appealing to Mr. Montes for the opportunity they offer to resolve community needs through architectural design.
His interest in design encompasses very different scales, which provides him with the flexibility to work on a wide range of projects, from master planning to building details.
Mr. Montes is involved in the entire design process of the office's projects, taking part in the initial concept, further development and completion.

Education:
Master of Architecture
ETSA OF SEVILLE, SPAIN, 2002

Registration:
Spain, 2003

Ana Pereira

Senior Designer

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Having worked in Europe and Asia, Ana brings a global interest in design to RZAPS. Her experience includes projects in hospitality and office interiors; rehabilitation of historic buildings and the design of public use and civic buildings. While in Spain, she was a designer for the Euskalduna Palace in Bilbao. In China she was a designer for the Hyatt Honquiao. Ana's keen interest in design trends and her design abilities make her a valuable asset for RZAPS.

Education:
Master of Architecture
FACOLTA DI ARCHITETTURA ROMA TRE, ITALY, 2007

Bachelor of Architecture
FAUP-FACULDADE ARQUITECTURA UNIVERSIDADE PORTO, PORTUGAL, 2006

Zhuo Guo

Designer

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Zhuo examines architecture as art by and for quotidian human needs. It is about presenting questions daily by challenging existing perceptions and elaborate boundaries. Before joining RZAPS, he has worked as a research assistant for Columbia GSAPP Death Lab and as an intern architect for LMA Design, Kengo Kuma and Associates, and Junya Ishigami and Associates.

Education:
Master of Architecture
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, 2018

Bachelor of Engineering in digital media technology
ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY, CHINA, 2014

Jessica Soares

Communications Director

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Originally from Brazil, Jessica is an architect and urban designer who is passionate about storytelling and graphic design.
Fascinated by how design can help improve everyday life, she joined RZAPS in 2019 to contribute to the firm's interdisciplinary character with her background in communication design and architecture.

Education:
Bachelor of Architecture & Urban Design, PONTHIFICAL UNIVERSITY OF GOIAS, BRAZIL, 2018

Architectural and Urban Design Program
PARSONS THE NEW SCHOOL FOR DESIGN, 2015

Zhen Meng

Designer

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Before joining RZAPS in 2020, Zhen worked as an intern at Atelier Li Xinggang, China Architecture Design & Research Group and !melk urbandesign. She gained strong conceptual design skills and
advanced graphic representation skills as well as solid architecture knowledge.
Zhen is good at delivering projects that combine traditional stylistic approaches of architecture with complex geometry.

Education:
Master of Science in Design, Advanced Architectural Design (MSD-AAD)
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, 2019
Bachelor of Engineering, Major in Architecture
SHANDONG UNIVERSITY, CHINA, 2018

Jacob Garcia

Designer

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With a background in building and construction work, Jacob is interested in hands-on design representation and fabrication that goes beyond the two dimensional. Drawn to RZAPS' focus on public spaces, Jacob wishes to minimize the gap between architectural discourse and the public understanding of architecture through representational methods catered to a broad audience.

Education:
Bachelor of Architecture, Syracuse University, 2020

Denise Galon

Chief Administrator

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Ms. Galon's company has been providing administrative services for RZAPS since 2004. She has also worked in a similar capacity with special event design and planning company, McNabb Roick Events; Lawfirm, Tonachel & Lewis, P.C.; Non-Profit school, Singers Forum Foundation; Banking Business Specialist, Citibank; and creatively in theatrical costume & clothing design with the Fabric Alternative.

Education:
B.A., De Sales University, Center Valley, PA, 1976

PhD, Metaphysical ULC, Modesto, CA, 2002