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New Work, June 2012
PZS was awarded several new projects, including the Loysville Youth Development Center, pictured to the left. The new building will have two stories and contain vo-tech classrooms for commercial painting, masonry, construction, emergency medical instruction, and building trades. Also included in the program are dining areas, staff offices, and traditional classrooms. This project is a contract with the PA Department of General Services.
Also, in association with Vitetta, PZS has been awarded Phase 1 of the Capitol Rehabilitation and Improvements Program for the Harrisburg Capitol Complex. This will include installation of a green roof and removal of an existing roof, in addition to various interior renovations and repairs.
The Sugar Estates Senior Development project is located in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. The new housing building will have 81 units, and 95,700 sf. PZS/Schwam Architects are working with WRT Architects in Philadelphia and Springline Architects in St. Thomas.
Outdoor patio of existing complex
Esperanza Academy Expansion
Last month the Philadelphia School Reform Commission approved the Esperanza Academy Charter High School to expand to include 6-8th Grades. PZS performed the original renovations of both the existing high school and the junior college located in the Hunting Park section of Philadelphia, and is also completing the middle school expansion.The expansion will allow the Academy to serve a total of over 1400 students in grades 6-12, and will include classrooms, a gym, and a blackbox performance center.
Recently Completed-Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center
This new 20,000 square foot building incorporates the latest technology into a state of the art facility to provide emergency medical and surgical services which will accommodate a staff of surgeons, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, emergency care doctors and an acupuncturist. The facility includes generous reception/waiting spaces, workspaces and support space for 25 doctors and staff along with 12 exam rooms. The technical spaces include 2 surgical suites, a radiology room, a CT room, an MRI/Specialty Procedures room, a Linear Accelerator room, 2 laboratories with medical gasses as well as intensive care wards. An additional VSEC location is under construction in the Pennsport neighborhood of South Philadelphia. For more info, including a feature on the innovative Dri-Design building material used to clad the building, click the following links.
http://www.dri-design.com/portfolio-v3/vsec
http://nakedphilly.com/pennsport/new-vet-hospital-is-coming-to-pennsport/
St. Joseph’s University Villiger Hall Under Construction
Villiger Hall is slated for completion in August 2012.
The Salvation Army Kroc Community Center Earns AIA Citation of Merit
This month, PZS was honored with a Citation of Merit from the AIA Pennsylvania for The Salvation Army Kroc Community Center in Philadelphia. Completed in association with MGA Partners, the center serves as a hub of community activity in what was formerly a blighted urban landscape. According to the AIA Jurors, the building “appears to devote all its energy to creating a great experience for the kids who use it”. The 130,000 square foot building contains sports and recreation facilities, including a world class aquatic center; in addition to worship, meeting, and job training spaces. It is one of 27 new centers built or under construction.
The School District of Philadelphia hosts THE LEED SILVER PLAQUE CEREMONY for the Willard Elementary School
Joe Healy and Leroy Nunery present the plaque to Principal Riley.
PZS Architects worked closely with teachers and community representatives to develop this new elementary school. This school has achieved a LEED Silver certification. On Wednesday, November 23, 2011, The School District of Philadelphia (SDOP) hosted the The LEED Silver Plaque Ceremony for the Francis E. Willard Elementary School in Philadelphia. This event was held at the school’s auditorium and featured remarks from Alex Dews, LEED, AP, of the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office, Evelyn Sample Oates, SDOP Deputy Chief of Communications, and Acting Superintendent, Dr. Leroy Nunery II. Joe Healy, Chairman of the Delaware Valley Green Building Council (DVGBC) presented the LEED Plaque to Willard School Principal, Ron Riley. PZS Partner and project Principal, Michael Skolnick, AIA attended the event. The event also featured a performance by the Third Grade Willard Choir and a school tour. 
The Francis E. Willard Elementary School has made the DVGBC Best of 2011 List.
PZS Architects is ranked among the Philadelphia Business Journal’s Top 25
PZS Architects is ranked among the Philadelphia Business Journal Top 25 Minority owned businesses for 2011.
http://www.philadelphiabusinessjournal.com
Mario Zacharjasz Presents at the 2011 AIA Middle PA Symposium
PZS founding Partner, Mario Zacharjasz led an interactive discussion on Creative Management Strategies at the 2011 Trends & Innovations – Strategies for 2012 and Beyond Symposium hosted by the Middle Pennsylvania AIA on October 20, 2011 at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center in downtown Johnstown, PA. The discussion focused on how Volunteerism and “Coopetition” (cooperating with your competition) can help firms succeed in a tough economy.