We're a team of unique individuals, built on a foundation of service, respect, and diversity.

 

David Polatnick AIA

Partner

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Contact David

dpolatnick@pzsarchitects.com

 
It was David’s entrepreneurial spirit and enthusiasm that started PZS Architects. Early in his career he developed a network of contacts and a reputation for responsibility and consistency. It was natural that he would leverage this spirit into his own practice, teaming with Mario Zacharjasz to found the firm in 1993. David is known to the office 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as historic preservation and adaptive reuse projects, where he is particularly adept at breathing new life into old or outdated buildings.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.
 

Mario Zacharjasz AIA

Partner

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mario@pzsarchitects.com

Recognized by many as the face of PZS Architects, Mario Zacharjasz exudes an energy that inspires the firm and its clients. His passion for architecture and caring for others is evident in his thoughtful designs and extensive community and professional involvement. 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 3 and continues to maintain strong ties to his heritage and the local Latin American community.
Mario is committed to serving the Latino community in the region. He supports many non-profit organizations, and currently serves on the boards of The Kimmel Center, The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation and The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia. He is also on the Advisory Council for the Salvation Army Kroc Corps Community Center of Philadelphia. In each of these capacities, Mario focuses his energy on community sustainability, encouraging his partners, staff, and colleagues to do the same.
Mario also served as President of the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and was Chairman of the Board for the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, where he oversaw the creation of the first ever The State of Hispanic Business Report for the Greater Philadelphia region.  Mario holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Temple University. Mario has also completed post baccalaureate Business Executive Program at Dartmouth College's Tuck School of Business  and is a Goldman Sachs 10k Small Business Graduate.

Michael Skolnick, AIA

Partner

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mskolnick@pzsarchitects.com

 A partner in PZS Architects since 1998, Michael guides the firm’s design philosophy. He quietly and efficiently encourages the office and its projects with his critical thinking and penchant for organization. His keen understanding of programming and planning gets every project off to a strong start. 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. No matter how big or small a design challenge, Michael recognizes the need to understand the details, and he instills the same careful thought in the entire staff. His 25+ years of professional experience have included pharmaceutical, institutional, and corporate projects, as well as designs for high-end multi-family residential projects. Michael earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Temple University and is a member of the Urban Land Institute and the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia.

Mike Silberman, AIA

Project Manager

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msilberman@pzsarchitects.com

Mike brings an eclectic background to his practice of architecture. He has been a teacher, an archivist, and a builder. His experiences inform his interest in construction. Mike enjoys building furniture, and restoring his new (very old) Arts and Crafts style home in Mt. Airy. It's a true labor of love. As a true outdoorsman, Mike likes to ride his bike and paddle his handmade canoe on the Schuylkill and Wissahickon. 

Shawn Plum; AIA, LEED AP

Project Manager

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splum@pzsarchitects.com

Shawn’s architectural education and design experience inform her placemaking strategies. She approaches each project with an understanding of the impact of design on user experience. Shawn even applies her placemaking strategies when working on her 1905 Manayunk twin-home -- her friends describe it as a “cozy, antiquarian paradise”. When she is not in the office, Shawn enjoys hunting for treasures at flea markets, spending time in the garden with her husband, and planning for new travel adventures. 

Robert Wong, RA, LEED AP

Project Manager

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rwong@pzsarchitects.com

Rob comes to PZS with over 24 years of experience in different market sectors, ranging from multi-family residential, to higher education, and hospitality. He has worked all over the country from Atlanta to Las Vegas but has made Philadelphia his home for almost 20 years. Rob takes a highly collaborative approach to each design issue, often stating that problems are just opportunities to explore. He believes that sustainable practices should be included in every phase of design, and that documentation and construction are natural extensions of that design process. When not in the office, Rob enjoys spending time with his wife Kelly and their 5 children. Rob and his family travel to Vermont every year to unplug and unwind.  He likes watching zombie movies and going on walks with his mini-schnauzer, Pepper.

Stan Tang, AIA

Project Manager

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stang@pzsarchitects.com

 

Stan is a skilled and knowledgeable architect with broad experience in all aspects of professional design practice. Attending both undergraduate college and graduate architecture school at the University of Pennsylvania, he has since worked for Philadelphia architectural firms his entire career. In that time, he has held a wide range of roles and positions from Principal to Project Manager, Project Designer, and Project Architect. As such his responsibilities have included a full spectrum of practice activities encompassing project feasibility and planning, design and documentation, technical detailing and specifications, QA review and constructability assessment, as well as extensive construction administration.

When not at the office Stan, along with his wife, is busy raising and launching four children and engaging in never-ending renovation of his homestead which was formerly a church. Otherwise, he enjoys classical music, reading history, and a simple meal. 

Kim Hahn; AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Project Manager

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khahn@pzsarchitects.com

If the devil is in the details, than Kim is the angel of our office. She knows the IBC code like the back of her hand. When she's not in the office perfecting her Revit model or developing a more efficient workflow, you can find her hunting for her next-best local flea-market find or shopping for a new pair of shoes. Kim is a card-carrying member of the Free Library of Philadelphia, and as an avid reader she still checks books out. Kim moved to Philadelphia for college after growing up in rural PA. She graduated from Philadelphia University and has made the city her home ever since. Kim resides in Rittenhouse Square, and loves spending time in her garden. (Her tomatoes are delicious, and lucky for us, she is kind enough to share them with the rest of the office.)

Vahe Ashodian

Project Architect

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vashodian@pzsarchitects.com

Vahe worked at PZS Architects a decade ago and rejoined the firm in 2023. He is a Temple University Bachelor of Architecture School Graduate and has continued his studies in the arts with classes at the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts and The University of the Arts. Vahe's 25+ years of experience with several Philly architectural and engineering firms reaffirmed a niche for him between art and architecture. Vahe has skills in technical detailing CD’s and always strives to bring art back to architecture. His color palette borrows both from the rich architectural history of Philadelphia where he has lived since 1979, to his culture and heritage in the Middle East and Armenia. Vahe has a love for classical music, painting, and graphic design, and never tires of exploring the mixed cultural fabric of the city of Philadelphia.

Steven Jacovic, RA, LEED GA

Project Architect

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sjacovic@pzsarchitects.com

 Originally from Philadelphia, raised around a construction and a restaurant background, Steven quickly understood the importance of focusing on fine details. He holds a master’s in advanced studies in collective housing from the Polytechnic University of Madrid and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich. He obtained his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Temple University and has worked professionally in the Philadelphia market for most of his career. He believes that the social and cultural aspects of design impact the users involved and should be a driver for design whenever possible. When not in the office, Steven is active in the martial arts community in Philadelphia, and is also often looking for other dojos to train or compete at in the cities he visits.

Jed Morganstein

Architectural Designer

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Contact Jed

jmorganstein@pzsarchitects.com

Jed comes from a comprehensive background in the fields of art, design, and architecture. Born and raised in the Philadelphia area, he returned to the city a few years ago after living and working in first New York and then Chicago. When he isn’t in the office, he can usually be found drawing, painting, or seeking out classic pinball tables around the city.

Cristina Napoli

Architectural Designer

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cnapoli@pzsarchitects.com

Cristina obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design from Universita’ degli Studi di Napoli in Naples, Italy. Upon graduating, she started her career in Italy focusing on residential interior renovations and adaptive reuse. In 2017, Cristina moved to Philadelphia where she earned her Master’s Degree in Architecture from Temple University. When she’s not in the office, Cristina enjoys playing tennis, spending time with her dog, and taking long walks exploring the city.

Julian Espina

Architectural Designer

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Contact Julian

jespina@pzsarchitects.com

Julian grew up in the suburbs but has made a home for himself in Philadelphia. He worked at PZS while completing his studies in Drexel University’s 2+4 Architecture program and is now a full-time Architectural Designer. Julian’s schedule keeps him busy, but in those precious moments of free time he enjoys experiencing live music with friends, as well as exploring the city in search of a new and interesting places to eat. His food adventures have taken him to an ever-growing list of interesting neighborhoods throughout the great city of Philadelphia and he looks forward to finding that next great little spot.

Glenn Giddings

Marketing Director

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ggiddings@pzsarchitects.com

With a degree in Architecture and wide-ranging experience in the A/E/C Industry, Glenn leads the firm's marketing efforts with a high level of expertise and enthusiasm. In his spare time you might find Glenn with his toolbelt strapped on, working on another renovation project to his old house, watching the world go by from his front porch with one of his rescue dogs, or playing a mostly friendly game of tennis with friends. 

Courtney Zaborowski

Office Manager

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Contact Courtney

czaborowski@pzsarchitects.com

When not bending data in one of her expert excel spreadsheets, you can find Courtney, a fan of good music, at live shows throughout the city or trying a new restaurant. Courtney also enjoys running and exploring new places; she counts Prague and Alaska as two of her favorite destinations. The next stamps on her passport will be South Africa, Japan, and Iceland. Courtney is a Montgomery County native, and a graduate of West Chester University.