Headquartered in Philadelphia, with an expanded presence in New York City and Washington, D.C., the practice draws on enduring principles of tradition, context, innovation, beauty, craft, and sustainability to create architecture that responds thoughtfully to place and people.

VMA’s work spans cultural, academic, and civic institutions, with a particular focus on the renewal of historic buildings as well as new architecture that responds sensitively to its historic and architectural context. The firm’s recent projects include the revitalization of Vail Hall and the transformation of Cresson Hall into a living-learning community at Lincoln University, and the construction of Anthony House, the center for alumni relations and development at Millbrook School.

In New York City and Philadelphia, VMA has also been selected to lead the transformation of two historic Art Deco theaters into vibrant cultural venues. On Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the firm is overseeing the conversion of the Metro Theater into a five-screen cinema and community hub for art-house film and classic screenings. In Philadelphia’s Mt. Airy neighborhood, the 1928 Sedgwick Theater is being renovated and expanded to a 250-seat capacity as the permanent home of the Quintessence Theatre Group.

Across these projects, VMA’s approach to restoration and adaptive reuse balances contemporary performance needs with respect for historic character. Their creative design solutions address modern operational challenges while preserving the architectural identity of each building in relation to its urban and cultural context.

The award will be presented at the 45th Annual Arthur Ross Awards ceremony on May 11, 2026, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.