Born and raised in Irvington, New Jersey, on the outskirts of the New York City metropolitan area, Peter Skirbst learned early the values of honesty, trust and hard work. As one of seven children, he quickly understood the importance of teamwork.
Skirbst discovered a passion for architecture during his freshman year in high school. That calling and the work ethic instilled by his parents led him to earn a Bachelor of Architecture from the New Jersey Institute of Technology in 1982.
At the time, the country was emerging from a recession, and opportunities in the field were limited. He spent four months painting houses, then joined a friend on a trip to Europe, holding fast to his dream of becoming a practicing architect. That chance arrived when he joined a small architectural firm in northwest New Jersey, and he spent the next 13 years honing his design skills before relocating to the South with his wife, Kathy, and their three children.
Skirbst interviewed with David Engdahl at Haskell’s headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida. After 30 years dedicated to architectural and design excellence, Skirbst now serves as Vice President of Integrated Design.
In February 2024, Skirbst faced a life-altering challenge when doctors discovered a brain tumor occupying an entire quadrant of his brain. Days later, he underwent surgery to have it removed. Unsure of what recovery would bring, Skirbst took two months off and returned to work feeling better than he had in years.
Upon his return, he joined Haskell Sketchers, a weekly creative session led by Chris Flagg, VP and AE Operations Principal. Each Friday, team members spend an hour sketching, exploring the art of observation and deepening their connection to design culture.
“Even though I’ve been practicing architecture for over 40 years, sketching site plans, floor plans and building elevations, I never really sketched buildings until Chris encouraged me to join the weekly call,” Skirbst said. “Since then, I’ve become somewhat obsessed with sketching, and I’ve been covering the walls and columns in my office.”
Haskell.com sat down with Skirbst to learn more about his story, his inspirations and what being a Haskell team member means to him:
What drew you to architecture?
My father was a history teacher, so many of our family vacations included visiting historical sites and buildings. I developed a fascination with buildings and the built environment and ultimately decided that a career in architecture might be right for me.
What is your favorite travel destination?
I have been to many places that could be considered my favorite, so it’s hard to pick one. Perhaps it will be the next place I visit. I enjoy natural beauty as well as beautiful buildings, so a place that combines both would be at the top of my list.
Complete this sentence: I couldn’t make it through the week without …
Spending time with my family and doing a few sketches.
Who is your role model and how have they influenced you?
My first role model was my father, who instilled strong values of honesty, trust, hard work and the importance of faith and family. He once told me, after I chose a career in architecture, that he had once wanted to be an architect, so perhaps there was a subliminal influence on my decision.
What does being a Haskell team member mean to you?
My Haskell career has been wonderful. I have been fortunate to work with so many talented teammates on fun, challenging and interesting projects. I’ve also had the opportunity to travel to many parts of the world and across the country in pursuit and completion of those projects.
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