PZS Architects

PZS Architects PZS Architects provides a complete range of architectural, interior design and planning services. The partners maintain a hands-on involvement in every project.

PZS Architects strikes a balance between the creativity of architecture and an understanding of our clients’ goals. Every project is a chance to give form to our clients’ aspirations and to bring together our fresh perspective and flexible approach to achieve projects that exceed expectations and deliver elegant results. We engage our clients with ongoing and open dialogue so that every project is

grounded in a realistic understanding of the project’s purpose and the client’s parameters. Through this collaboration, we strive to create architecture that enriches people’s lives and elevates the human spirit. Since its founding, PZS Architects has established a diverse portfolio of Education, Corporate, Commercial, and Residential work. Approaching every project as a unique challenge, and allowing its uniqueness to present opportunities, has earned us commissions varying in size and scope. Each reflects our design team’s shared attention to detail and commitment to involving all of a project’s stakeholders. Partners David Polatnick, AIA, and Mario Zacharjasz, AIA, established the firm in 1993 as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) with the City of Philadelphia and the State of Pennsylvania. Michael Skolnick, AIA, joined them as a partner five years later. Together, they share practice management responsibilities and lead a staff of 25 design professionals committed both to the highest quality design and to our clients. The firm’s collaborative approach ensures that everyone is motivated and energized by the design process. We measure project success by the relationships we develop with clients, and the way architecture enhances our clients’ lives and businesses. Our clients often share with us their repeat projects – and their friendship – for just this reason. PZS Architects’ community involvement emphasizes the importance of connecting with others and relating our experiences as designers and people. From working with nonprofit organization clients to our staff’s involvement in community activities, we never lose sight of the values and issues around us. We understand the impact our projects and our actions have on the real world and we work each day to make that impact positive.

Mario and Julian from PZS were in attendance for the ribbon-cutting of most recent project for The Pathway School- the r...
10/05/2023

Mario and Julian from PZS were in attendance for the ribbon-cutting of most recent project for The Pathway School- the renovation of the Anthony Wayne and Valley Forge buildings. These buildings look great and we appreciate the opportunity to improve the experience for the students, teachers, and staff at this exceptional school.

Our partnership with The Pathway School is very important to us. We have been working with them for many years on various projects, from master planning to renovations of all different sizes.

The ribbon-cutting for our important new project at 8th & Berks- Camino de Oro was a great event! Mayor Jim Kenney, Phil...
02/15/2023

The ribbon-cutting for our important new project at 8th & Berks- Camino de Oro was a great event!

Mayor Jim Kenney, Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke, Philadelphia City Council Member Jim Harrity, and numerous other dignitaries were on hand to celebrate with PZS Architects, APM, PACDC, and Elon Affordable Housing.

Camino De Oro is a 44-unit Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) affordable Senior Housing Facility that will link all ages through intergenerational activities. The community room will host workshops and events for the residents and members of the community. A partnership with the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, Temple University School of Medicine, and the Senior Center will offer exercise programs, nutrition workshops, gardening, and other activities.

We are proud of this project and its utilization of innovative green practices which led the building to be certified as a Passive Senior Housing. Camino De Oro continues the legacy of Paseo Verde, APM’s LEED Platinum mixed-use development.

Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations - PACDC Mayor Jim Kenney Darrell L. Clarke Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha - APM Councilmember Jim Harrity

Here's a great write-up about our big project at Temple University- the re-imagining of Paley Library into the new home ...
12/06/2022

Here's a great write-up about our big project at Temple University- the re-imagining of Paley Library into the new home of Temple's College of Public Health. Check it out!

If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the importance of public health. For more than two years, the entire public health community worked tirelessly to ensure that the nation—and world—made it through the pandemic. Due to these recent events, the need for high-quality, compassi...

PZS Architects is proud of our new affordable senior housing development at 8th and Berks. We were there today for the g...
01/25/2022

PZS Architects is proud of our new affordable senior housing development at 8th and Berks. We were there today for the groundbreaking of Camino de Oro with APM and our other project partners. Check out the news clip:

It will have 44 apartments for residents 65 and older with incomes at or below 60% of the median area income.

11/18/2021

PZS is looking for talented, energetic architects to join our growing firm! You can contact us directly or see our ads on Indeed or the AIA Philadelphia Job Board.

A great day for a great event!
05/19/2021

A great day for a great event!

This is one of our current historic renovation projects, currently under construction in West Chester. We are looking fo...
05/19/2021

This is one of our current historic renovation projects, currently under construction in West Chester. We are looking forward to seeing this one when it is finished!

Jim Long of is helping us bring the historic Spence Building in the heart of West Chester, PA back to life. The Spence was built by African-American entrepreneur James Spence following the Civil War is being remodeled and restored under the guidance of PZS Architects. Watch as this historic property comes to life for the next century.

Our award-winning The Goddard School project was featured on PHL17 today! This project won a 2021 Grand Jury Award from ...
05/12/2021

Our award-winning The Goddard School project was featured on PHL17 today! This project won a 2021 Grand Jury Award from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia and will be honored at the awards ceremony on Wednesday June 9th. Our own Mario Zacharjasz was interviewed for this special segment about historic preservation in and around Philadelphia. Special thanks to Amanda VanAllen for taking the time to visit the School and speak with Mario and Jillie. Our favorite quote from the segment has to be “I love what they’re doing. All over the city, all over the greater Philadelphia area- it’s just amazing, and I’m so glad these folks are being honored.” https://phl17.com/phl17-morning-news/greater-philadelphia-preservation-alliance-recognizes-effort-to-restore-old-buildings-in-the-city/

Huge thanks to the Corbett Experience Center and Esperanza's Jeana Davis, Jelissa Gonzalez, and Alicia Mojica for a grea...
04/22/2021

Huge thanks to the Corbett Experience Center and Esperanza's Jeana Davis, Jelissa Gonzalez, and Alicia Mojica for a great tour today! We’re collaborating with Esperanza Academy Elementary Charter School to create flexible learning spaces with mobile furniture that students and teachers can reconfigure throughout the day. We were given a tour today (in-person!) and were able to see all the different options- furniture for active learning scenarios, comfy lounge furniture for small-group learning, meeting room configurations, and everything else you can think of.

PZS is proud to continue our work in the health care sector with St. Luke's University Health Network. We have been work...
02/17/2021

PZS is proud to continue our work in the health care sector with St. Luke's University Health Network. We have been working together for more than 5 years, bringing a broad range of health care services to areas in and around Carbon and Lehigh Counties. Together, we are bringing primary care, urgent care, and specialty service centers to residents of PA where options for health care have been sorely lacking.

Please check out our blog post about the health care Renaissance that is happening in Pennsylvania:

A health care Renaissance is underway in Pennsylvania. For more than five years, PZS Architects and St. Luke’s University Health Network have been working together to bring quality outpatient services and specialty care to the communities around Bethlehem, Easton, and Allentown. PZS recently compl...

01/22/2021

PZS congratulates our friend Chris Díaz! Mr. Díaz was chosen by President Biden to serve as acting chief of staff, White House liaison, Office of the Secretary. He has sat on numerous boards in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, helping to shape the future of the region. For leading these efforts, Mr. Díaz has received national recognition earning the SXSW Community Service Award, Aspen Ideas Fellowship and prestigious Pat Tillman scholarship.

Chris Diaz is founder and former executive director of the Veteran-led non-profit, Action Tank, whose mission tackles the toughest challenges facing the community. Diaz is an entrepreneur whose company, Performa, supported clients focused on implementing positive lifestyle changes, increasing their capacity for self-awareness and actualization.

CONGRATULATIONS!

https://www.stripes.com/news/us/biden-names-nine-members-of-new-va-leadership-1.659192

PZS Architects is pleased to announce that Shawn Plum; AIA, LEED AP has joined our team as a Project Manager. With over ...
11/20/2020

PZS Architects is pleased to announce that Shawn Plum; AIA, LEED AP has joined our team as a Project Manager. With over 23 years of experience, Shawn combines creative talent and in-depth practical experience to seamlessly bridge all project phases and provide leadership on some of our emerging opportunities. Shawn has worked with higher education institutions from small liberal arts colleges to large universities and has managed teams through the programming, planning, interior design, and construction of a wide range of project types. With her strong leadership and problem-solving abilities, technical expertise, and her commitment to design excellence, Shawn will be a valuable asset to PZS Architects.

After graduating from The Pennsylvania State University, Shawn started her architectural career in New York City, designing corporate and retail spaces for L’Oreal USA. Since moving to Philadelphia in 2007, she has focused on higher education work-- designing student-centered facilities for higher ed clients all over the country.

Address

4141 Station Street Suite 107B
Philadelphia, PA
19127

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

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