From a young age James Pietrzykowski {Peach/-er-cow-ski} aspired to become an architect. His father was a union carpenter and his mother was a talented painter, teaching him the fundamentals of both art and construction. James studied art and technical drafting at Alexander Central High School from 1997/98 - 2001. He started to take advanced art courses at Genesee Community College in the summer of 1999 throughout high school. After graduating in 2001, he studied architectural drafting and art at Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua, New York. In 2003 James transferred to The State University of New York at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning. It was at this University that he was taught the discipline of architecture; programming, schematic design, and the importance of design phases.

After graduation James moved to Westchester County, New York. He took an internship in a high-end residential office under two designers. He learned the dynamics of how an architectural office was ran. He gained experience in field measurements and documentation working on small additions and renovations. In August 2007 James was offered a job in a high-end residential firm in Southport, Connecticut. David Scott Parker Architects, LLC, a well known architectural firm transformed James. It opened his eyes to the world of architecture. He worked on projects for Massachusetts Estates, Shore Side Houses in Connecticut, Museums, Pent Houses in Manhattan, and Estates in the Hamptons. He worked under a Project Manager who taught him how to use time management to meet deadlines, correct field measurements, site documentation, and interior elevations.  James also worked directly with the interiors department drafting their furniture layouts and editing furniture styles in Photoshop. He also worked under the Assistant Principal designing high-end furniture and building mock-up marble bathrooms. In this short year, he gained a vast amount of information and skills to help him become a stronger designer.

In September 2008 James relocated to Manhattan, New York working as a Project Manager in a Commercial Architecture Firm. At Studio JS2 Architect, P.C., James worked on Apartment Buildings, Heath Care Facilities, Office Fit-Outs, Fashion Showrooms, Medical Centers, Small Restaurants, Zoning and Code Analysiss, and even an Urban Winery. James used the knowledge previously taught and showcased it at this office. His Photoshop skills helped with marketing new offices. His high-end experience gave him fuel to design a fashion showroom. And the discipline taught in design studio helped him be productive and organized as a Project Manager.  At this office James worked directly with the clients, sketched their visions, and programmed their offices. He started with their ideas, and worked with them finishing the project and signing it off.

James has been described as dedicated, organized, motivated, positive, creative, talented, professional, goal oriented, and reliable. He has the ability to be a team leader where he always gets the job done on time. With the past internships and professional projects James has gained a wide variety of skills. He has the determination to become a great designer and architect.