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Firm Profile PZS Architects strikes a balance between collaboration and creativity, working with clients to understand their needs and designing solutions to help meet their goals. PZS identifies each project and client as a unique opportunity to provide form to our clients’ aspirations with 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. PZS Architects was founded as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) in 1993. Since then PZS has established a diverse portfolio of educational, 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. The firm was founded in 1993 by partners David Polatnick, AIA, and Mario Zacharjasz, AIA, and with partner Michael Skolnick, AIA, they share practice management responsibilities and lead a staff of design professionals committed both to the highest quality of 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.
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Partnership MARIO ZACHARJASZ, AIA Recognized by many as the face of PZS Architects, Mario Zacharjasz exudes an energy that inspires the firm and its clients. His 25 years of experience include an emphasis on educational, multi-family housing, and civic architecture for clients ranging from the School District of Philadelphia to the Army Corps of Engineers. Born in Cuba, Mario moved to the US when he was three years old and continues to maintain strong ties to his heritage and the local Latin American community. Mario is dedicated to Philadelphia’s non-profit organizations; actively working with groups such as Esperanza, the Salvation Army and Aspira, Inc. Mario is a former President of the AIA, an executive board member and past board president of the Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Mario serves on the Mayor’s Commission for Construction Industry Diversity, and was recently appointed by the Mayor to the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation Board. He serves on the Board of Managers for Moore College of Art and Design and is a former board member with the United Way of South Eastern Pennsylvania.
DAVID POLATNICK, AIA It was David’s entrepreneurial spirit and enthusiasm that started PZS Architects. ce and to clients as a dedicated and sensitive designer with a great eye for details and the ability to take every stakeholder’s needs into consideration. His honest passion for his work has endeared many clients with whom he has made lasting friendships. David’s more than 25 years of professional experience have included the planning and design of large-scale retail shopping centers as well as historic preservation and adaptive reuse projects, where he is particularly adept at breathing new life into old or outdated buildings. David received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Temple University.
MICHAEL SKOLNICK, AIA A partner in PZS Architects since 1998, Michael guides the firm’s design with his critical thinking and organization. Michael’s keen understanding of programming and planning sets the tone for each projects success. Whether working to further refine a design to meet a client’s needs or steering a project to proceed as planned, he is committed to high levels of client service and architectural excellence. His 30+ years of professional experience have included pharmaceutical, institutional, and corporate projects, as well as designs for high-end multifamily residential projects. Michael earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Temple University and is a former president of AIA Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Urban Land Institute and the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, and is a trustee at The Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.
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Frances E. Willard Elementary School Philadelphia, PA Located in North Philadelphia, the Frances E. Willard School is a new construction elementary school serving 850 students in kindergarten through 4th grade. The project site was previously a contaminated brownfield. As part of the construction process, the site was fully remediated to meet federal, state and local standards. PZS Architects worked closely with the teachers and community representatives to develop the Frances E. Willard elementary school. The 2-story 100,000 square foot building accommodates 850 students from kindergarten through fourth grade. The facility includes 62 classrooms with special shared rooms for technical education, family life Management, computer lab, science lab, art studio, music studio, a gymnasium, a 350-seat auditorium and a cafeteria for 380 with a fully equipped commercial kitchen, as well as support spaces
and administrative offices. The Willard School achieved LEED Silver certification u nder the LEED for Schools version 2.0 Rating System. Special attention was given to the building’s acoustics so that teachers and students can communicate effectively. Students were trained to be sustainability tour guides and lead tours for visitors about what it means to be in a green school. LEED SILVER CERTIFIED Awarded “Best of Schools” designation by Delaware Valley Green Building Council
Esperanza Campus Expansion Philadelphia, PA
PZS Architects completed the master plan for Esperanza's campus located at Fifth and Bristol Streets. The 8-acre campus includes three former industrial buildings totaling 210,000 SF of space which houses Esperanza’s headquarters and administrative offices, a technology based high school, and a junior college, a medical practice, Esperanza Academy Charter School, and a workforce development program. PZS is currently working on the design of a 100,000 SF middle school which includes the development of a new 18,000 SF building for performing arts and physical education, that includes a black box theatre, gallery, meeting rooms, and a gymnasium as well as additional parking facilities. The project will also modify site circulation patterns to accommodate vehicular and pedestrian access to the new facilities and to increase parking on site. PZS is also recently completed a 40,000 SF expansion of Esperanza's Junior College, which opened in 2000 as a branch campus of Eastern University, that includes energy-saving design improvements to accommodate students from the sixth grade through junior college, and will also provide office space for social services agencies to serve the community. The campus is located in North Philadelphia’s Hunting Park neighborhood, an area categorized as being “severely distressed” by the New Markets Tax Credit criteria.
Gallery
Reception
Black Box Theater
Grand Salon
Library
Esperanza Junior College Philadelphia, PA
PZS Architects worked with Esperanza designing the expansion of their campus. This project is complex in nature, and included intense coordination and phasing, involving the renovation of 27,000 SF of vacant warehouse space to expand Esperanza College. This project also included energy-saving design improvements to the roof, windows and HVAC system for the benefit of the entire 245,000 SF building. As a result of this work, Esperanza College was able to increase enrollment by approximately 30% and offer its students specialized science coursework and additional campus amenities. The renovations and energy efficient design modifications reduced energy utilization for the entire building by 45%. Esperanza College opened in 2000 as a branch campus of Eastern University. The campus is located in North Philadelphia’s Hunting Park neighborhood, an area categorized as being “severely distressed” by the New Markets Tax Credit criteria. This three-story facility also houses Esperanza’s headquarters, a workforce development program, a medical practice and Esperanza Academy Charter School, a middle school, which PZS designed and is currently under construction.
Loysville Youth Development Center Loysville, PA EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH STATE AGENCIES PZS was commissioned by the State of Pennsylvania Department of General Services to complete the design and development of new multipurpose classroom building on the Loysville Youth Development Center campus, designed to assist and train challenged students. The new 14,000 sf building will be constructed using 2B type construction with a brick exterior and with masonry exterior construction. CLASSROOM AND COMMERCIAL KITCHEN This culinary arts training center contains a classroom and shops for vocational training, administrative offices, a commercial teaching kitchen with display cases, a cafe, small prep kitchens, and a presentation area to support a culinary arts program. Building maintenance and custodial services training is also offered.
The Pathway School Master Plan Jeffersonville, PA
PZS Architects recently worked with The Pathway School to explore expanding its academic footprint by adding several programs to its existing offerings. The Pathway School has identified a need for caring, professional services in the area of pre-school special education as well as increasing services further to meet the needs of young adults over the age of 21. The addition of a summer program will provide a rich basis in academics with recreational and experiential opportunities for both Pathway and non-Pathway students, and a Theatre Arts Program brings focus and strength in Pathway's curriculum, providing creative opportunities for the students as well as a bridge to the community. To help it better align its campus facilities with its existing needs and prepare for the possible expansion of its programs, The Pathway School engaged PZS Architects to evaluate the programmatic, adaptability, aesthetic, sustainability, and way-finding challenges in its existing facilities. The new facilities will better-align Pathway to reach one of its priorities of expanding the enrollment of the Upper and Lower schools to 150 students from its present size of 130. With utilization of the comprehensive Master Plan, Pathway's campus will incorporate structured green spaces and quads and paved outdoor areas for socializing, better defined entrances to buildings from the parking areas and connections between buildings, as well as standard, easy-to-read signage across the campus.
PROJECT CONTACT The Pathway School Mr. David Schultheis, President 162 Egypt Road, Jeffersonville, PA 19403 dschultheis@pathwayschool.org 610 277.0660
The Pathway School is a not-for-profit approved private school founded in 1961 that serves students with neurological impairment, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, psychological disorders, and serious emotional disturbance. The Pathway School’s programs are licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Academic Schools and approved by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Special Education to serve students ages 6-21. The Pathway School's innovative and individually tailored academic, social, and life-skills programs are designed to promote the ongoing success and independence of young people with special needs.
Colonial School District Administrative Building + Offices PZS Architects previously held an open-ended contract with the Colonial School District. Our work included 9,600 SF additions to the Ridge Park Elementary School (shown below) and Whitemarsh Elementary School, reorganization of the school district’s administrative offices, a training room addition, as well as studies for a library expansion and athletic facility including locker rooms and training rooms in conjunction with new athletic fields. Projects under this contract also included the following: Administrative Building The design for renovation of 17,000 SF of administrative offices to existing building. Colonial Middle School Feasibility Study for lobby, administrative offices and classrooms Renovations to add four new classrooms Whitemarsh Elementary School Design of a 9,600 SF addition for kindergarten classrooms
Plymouth Whitemarsh High School Design of a building addition for athletic training facilities Renovation and expansion of the library/media center Feasibility Study for lobby and administrative office renovation Feasibility Study for expansion of athletic fields and locker room
RESIDENTIAL STUDENT HOUSING
Villiger Hall at St. Joseph’s University Philadelphia, PA Completed in 2012 New student residence hall 116,000 SF // $26.5 million 415 student beds
This student residence hall was designed to maximize student interation, containing 116,500 SF, it provides 415 student beds. The facility includes study lounges, social lounges, laundry, kitchen and fitness center. The buildings massing and stone exterior keep in line with the traditional feel of the campus. The building is sited to respect the adjacent chapel and form an open space for student activities. The design combines a granite base and limestone base with a field of coursed ashlar stone blend. Limestone was used at the building’s entrance and to clad the study towers at each end of the building. Limestone bands surrounds the windows, and were also used to break down the 6-story mass of the building. Each floor includes lounges and study areas and common bathroom areas. Positioned at the corner of Cardinal and City Avenues, Villiger Hall serves as the southern gateway to the campus.
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MIXED-USE STUDENT HOUSING + DINING COMPLEX
Morgan Hall Temple University Philadelphia, PA 3 Buildings + Terrace Area 364 units total 300,000 GSF 27-story tower 300,000 GSF 10-story mid-rise 56,000 GSF 3-Story Dining Building 45,000 GSF terrace (plus garage / loading below) 1,285 beds, primarily in 4-bed, 1,000 SF suites
PZS Architects is part of the project team who designed Temple University’s newest residential and dining comple which is comprised of 1,285 student beds organized in several suite configurations. Both the Tower and Midrise lobbies are entered from an elevated Terrace that was constructed over a plaza deck above a parking/service level situated at and below street level. The primary goal of this facility was to house students, but just as important, the University wanted to provide a better sense of community for the students. The facility is one of the largest student residential complexes in the city, and has added to the Philadelphia skyline, while providing a sense of community to the students at Temple University. PZSARCHITECTS.COM
MIXED-USE STUDENT HOUSING + DINING COMPLEX
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Montgomery County Community College STEM and Theater Renovation Blue Bell, PA PZS is currently working on the preliminary design, cost estimate, and phasing of a new STEM educational building and theater. The existing structure is a 132,098 GSF Science Center built in the 1970s that houses science and engineering teaching labs, a large 350 seat theater, a smaller black box theater, music practice rooms, classrooms and lecture halls, an engineering fabrication lab, faculty offices, and various support spaces. The building will remain occupied during construction, and so work will be completed in a phased approach that will include a complete upgrade of all building systems to meet ADA requirements, a number of architectural and mechanical modifications to the existing lab and faculty office space, the removal and replacement of the HVAC and control systems, updated LED lighting throughout along with a completely new theatrical lighting system, replacement of the existing plumbing equipment and piping systems, a new sprinkler system for fire protection. Several alternates are also being designed and priced, such as renovations and/or additions to the lobby area as well as various theatrical improvements,
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Montgomery County Community College Residence Hall Pottstown, PA PZS was engaged to work on a design for a new student residence hall for Montgomery County Community College's Pottstown Campus. Working with Cross Properties as the developer for the project, PZS created preliminary drawings for the building that included suite-style units with kitchens and common living space, a game room, lounge, inviting lobby, and ground-level parking. In addition, multiple sites were explored. The project is currently on hold.
Widener University Student Residence Hall Chester, PA
PZS Architects completed the design of a new student residence hall for Widener University as part of a design competition in 2014. The 72,000 SF, four-story building accommodates 208 beds in a combination of four person suites and two person dorm style rooms. The L-shaped building was strategically positioned on the site to create a hierarchy of spaces ranging from public to private. The private space is further defined as a protected interior courtyard with space for a volley ball court and open green grass areas providing opportunity for student recreation. The entrance is accessed from a covered walkway, which connects the protected exterior green courtyard to the residential plaza. The building also features a street level retail component. The retail space includes a circular outdoor plaza at the corner of the building, helping to redefine the area as an entrance and establish street life. This building was designed to achieve LEED Silver Certification.
Benjamin Franklin High School Philadelphia, PA This project included a $4-million comprehensive renovation of a 250,000 SF high school facility. The scope of work included identifying and then prioritizing items for renovation. PZS also completed all construction documentation. The renovations included the gymnasium, auditorium and classrooms, front entrance facade, and replacement of doors and windows. In order to create new classroom space, a small rooftop building addition was constructed, with the addition of new steel dunnage and air handling units.
Aspira / Eugenio Maria De Hostas Charter School Philadelphia, PA This project included the renovation and conversion of a 26,000 S F vacant factory building into a bi-lingual educational facility serving 200 students in grades 4 through 8. The facility includes 10 classrooms, lunchroom / gymnasium, library, administrative offices, and support spaces, as well as offices for non-profit agencies. The design included cost effective, sustainable design elements with passive energy systems.
Esperanza Academy Charter High School Philadelphia, PA Constructed in 2000, Esperanza Academy Charter High School was designed to be a school in which technology would be an essential part of a student’s education. PZS Architects renovated and converted the 40,000 SF building into a high-tech educational institution, where 450 students have access to Computer, Science, and Radio / Television labs, Art and Music labs, a Gymnasium, as well as a sophisticated kitchen for use by the Culinary classes. Each classroom is a l s o equipped with personal computers with Internet capability.
Luis Munoz Marin Elementary School Philadelphia, PA Built as a vanguard for a neighborhood in need of revitalization, the Luis Munoz Marin Elementary School is a multipurpose facility expressing the vibrant spirit of the community it serves. The 120,000 SF building accommodates students in grades K through 8, as well as faculty and support staff.
The building also houses a community center that provides medical support to neighborhood residents. As Associate Architects, PZS Architects’ responsibility was to design an airy 300-seat cafeteria, full service kitchen, and a gymnasium with support spaces to accommodate students, faculty, and staff.
Philadelphia School Improvement Team PZS Architects has been working with the School District of Philadelphia (SDOP) as Master Architects for the Philadelphia Improvement Team (PSIT). The PSIT was charged with developing and instituting a Program Management Plan for the comprehensive planning and management of a $1.5 billion dollar program to overhaul the SDOP’s educational and athletic facilities. The first phase of the plan included the development of a methodology to assess the condition and sustainability of the district’s 75 schools to meet the educational needs of the students. Specific areas of interest included suitability of educational spaces, condition of building envelope and interior, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, technology infrastructure, hardware and networking requirements, video and media retrieval systems. Working in conjunction with the SDOP’s educational planners, the team developed new educational and space standards to support the district’s new educational programs. The educational standards were translated into templates which served as models for the development of new elementary, middle and high school buildings. In addition to the educational standards, our team developed district wide building standard design guidelines, the PSIT team worked with the SDOP administration to develop a comprehensive plan to renovate existing schools and construction new schools in order to meet the educational needs of the district. The plan included the financial implications as well as a schedule and strategy for implementation. As part of the implementation process, PZS has worked to develop conceptual plans for the new schools and has identified scopes of work for the renovation projects. This process also included planning and test fits for new site acquisition. PZS continues through the design management process to review the work of the Architects of Record to provide continuity and to verify conformance with the educational standards and design guidelines.
PZS Architects, LLC worked with the School District of Philadelphia as Master Architects for the Philadelphia School Improvement Team (PSIT). Using our expertise in school design and rehabilitation, we guided the process of establishing the design criteria, documenting the scope and requirements of each project, selecting the design architect, and overseeing and assisting in the bidding process. PZS Architects has worked on the addition and/or renovation of over 75 schools throughout the city, including: •
G.W. Carver High School of Engineering and Science
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Roxborough High School
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The Shawmont School
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Bache Martin Elementary School
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Bodine High School
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Conwell Elementary School
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Dunbar Elementary School
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Ferguson Elementary School
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Furness School
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High School for the Creative and Performing Arts
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Hopkinson Elementary School
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Houston School
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J.S. Jenks Elementary School
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Kearney School
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Kelly Elementary School
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Kirkbride Elementary School
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Masterman School
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McCall Elementary School
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Prince Hall Elementary School
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Sharswood Elementary School
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Sheppard Elementary School
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Thomas School
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Germantown Settlement Charter School
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Simon Gratz School
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Thomas Miflin School
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Strawberry Mansion High School
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West Philadelphia HIgh School
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Zeigler Elementary School
5312 Ridge Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19128 ph. 215 483.1915 fax. 215 930.0484
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