Team

Pedro Melis

Architect

Pedro is a native of Caracas, Venezuela, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Architecture. He moved to the US to pursue a Master’s degree from the University of Michigan and soon after graduation, he relocated to Chicago where he spent more than a decade practicing Architecture. While there, he worked with the offices of Perkins + Will on large scale mixed use projects, both domestic and international. Destiny (and weather) brought him to Los Angeles where he worked with KFA Architecture and Gensler on high profile developments before joining JZA Architecture. He is a Licensed Architect in California and Illinois.

Azusa Kotsu

Designer

Azusa attended graduate school at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona where she received a Masters of Architecture and graduated with a design award. Prior to joining JZA, Azusa worked for several distinguished architects including Frank Gehry.

Emmanuel Sandoval

Designer

Iced vanilla lattes no matter the time of year, cookie connoisseur, never said no to a mezcal margarita w/ a tajin rim, always exploring, are just a few ways to describe this native Angeleno. Working in this profession for over 10+ years I’ve had the opportunity to learn from mentors, peers, and some very talented contractors. However, the thing I’m most proud of is being able to drive around LA and look to the various projects I’ve contributed to and say that I left a mark on this city of angels I love so much.

Oscar Gutierrez

Designer

As a first-generation immigrant growing up in the Central Coast of California, Oscar dreamt of attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s architecture program as he drove past the school’s exit during his annual summer jobs. Upon achieving his goal and graduating in 2012, he took the 180-mile trip down the 101 freeway to move to Los Angeles. In the 10+ years since, Oscar has contributed to and completed a wide variety of projects all over Los Angeles ranging from multi-family housing, single-family residential, and prefab modular housing in San Diego. Oscar loves living in Los Angeles because of its eclectic collection of architecture along with its amazing art, food and culture. When not cooking at home or teaching his pet bird new words, you can find Oscar walking his two poodles around the neighborhood.

Ti Zhou

Designer

Ti is from China, she earned her bachelor degree after five years studies and moved to Los Angeles two years ago to gain the master degree in UCLA attractive by the sunlight and music in west coast. She learned AR and VR, done a bunch of conceptual competitions, video games and virtual environments. Since she graduated, Ti is interested in how building is carried out till it’s been constructed in the physical world, at the same time JZA Architecture focuses on residential industry. In 2023, Ti joined the wonderful team and started her lessons about how to be a licensed architect.

Christina Hackett

Designer

Christina Hackett is originally from California’s Central Valley, nestled at the base of the Sequoia National Forest. She graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and has called LA home for over 12 years.

Christina is inspired by the city’s historic Spanish-style and Craftsman homes, valuing their intricate detailing and timeless charm. She is passionate about blending thoughtful design with creative problem-solving, skillfully working with building and zoning codes to maximize density while creating beautiful, functional spaces.

In her free time, she loves exploring Los Angeles and beyond with her two poodles, often taking them on road trips to discover new places.

Daniel Diazgranados

Designer

Daniel is a Colombian architect with over a decade of experience crafting beautiful multifamily and single-family residences. He recently made the move to Los Angeles in 2021, eager to continue his architectural journey in new surroundings. Beyond his architectural skills, Daniel is a passionate cook and entrepreneur. Back in Colombia, he owned a thriving ramen restaurant that satisfied the taste buds of many. When he’s not busy designing, you’ll find Daniel exploring the vibrant culinary scene of Los Angeles, traveling to new destinations, and seeking out inspiring places to fuel his creativity.

Yining Wang

Yining Wang is a Senior Designer with over ten years of professional experience in architecture. She has worked across a wide range of building typologies, taking on diverse roles in various stages of design and construction. Prior to joining JZA, Yining was a Project Manager at the award-winning architecture firm Morphosis, where she led operations for projects in China, managing the design and delivery of over 2,000,000 square feet of built space. In early 2024, Yining transitioned to JZA, where she is now focused on local architectural practice, applying her design expertise to community and neighborhood-level projects.