ZIGER/SNEAD - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Lecture Series Committee, Co - Chair, 2018 - 2022 / Equity Committee, Member, 2018 - 2020
For Chris, inspiration is drawn from the marriage of technology and research. With a strong background and personal interest in academia and interdisciplinary research, he brings innovative technical, fabrication, and theoretical applications to his projects and the studio. Chris pushes boundaries, working simultaneously between different mediums to find the right technology, tools, and approach to a design problem. His professional work includes design, documentation, and construction administration of residential, institutional, commercial, and recreational facilities.
Education
The Catholic University of America
Claire is a passionate architect who loves solving complex design problems with beautiful solutions. Diligient and reliable, she's known for delivering exceptional results by working efficiently and focusing on high-quality details while collaborating with multifaceted teams. She has a deep understanding of ambitious design concepts and the commitment required to bring those concepts to fruition, navigating the balance between design goals, technical requirements, and project constraints. Claire's ability to connect with clients and understand their vision sets her apart, and results in exceeded expectations all around.
Education
The University of Texas at Austin
Initially interested in architecture through his love of drawing, Cyrus quickly became fascinated with the ‘why' behind the practice. His international education and experience has provided him with varied perspectives on architecture and an appreciation for its influence throughout history and everyday life. The role art and architecture play in influencing culture informs his approach to design, always looking to stretch and refine the boundaries of user experience.
Education
University of Bath
MArch(Hons) Architecture, 2018
BSc(Hons) Architecture, 2016
Doug has helped lead the studio for two decades, becoming Partner in 2015. His work has been an integral part of the firm's growth in the educational, cultural, and residential markets. Doug's approach to design is rooted in a deep appreciation of art, architectural history, and construction. He is devoted to building and nurturing strong client, consultant and contractor relationships and works diligently to synthesize the program into a clear concept that informs each step of the process. His designs are stabilizing in their simplicity and celebrate the natural beauty of materials. His residential work has received multiple design awards and appeared in Dwell Magazine and Wallpaper, among others. He is currently serving on the board of the Friends of the Jones Falls Valley and has been adjunct faculty at the Maryland Institute of College of Art and a visiting critic at the University of Maryland, the Catholic University of America, and Morgan State University.
Geoff is a natural leader with over two decades of experience in designing and managing educational and institutional projects. Prior to joining Z|S in 2024, he served as a National Market Leader, significantly contributing to the growth of his former firm's expertise in Independent Education. Geoff's approach to project leadership is marked by a genuine desire for connection, adept mission-driven decision-making, and a keen sense of fiduciary responsibility. His personal touch in managing projects ensures smooth operations and instills confidence in clients. Geoff excels as a clear communicator, demonstrating success in process management. As a thoughtful planner and designer, he prioritizes the positive impact of campus fabric on the student experience. Geoff is not just a skilled project manager but also a trusted client advisor and internal leader. His dedication to mentoring and supporting the professional development of his team reflects his commitment to both architectural excellence and collaborative success.
Jamie's more than 30 years of leadership as Managing Partner significantly contributed to the firm's reputation and recognized body of work. His appreciation for keeping things simple and logical set the foundation for sustainable business practices. It is also the reason clients trust him to design their private homes. Before beginning his career in architecture Jamie spent time as both a carpenter and painter, giving him a perspective that values craft, attention to every detail, and the importance of clear documentation and communication. This focus on details, communication, and relationships, results in exceptional design and effective construction. He has a reputation for understanding what a client wants and delivering more. In 2019 he became a partner emeritus at Ziger|Snead Architects where he continues to work on selected projects and support the studio as an advisor and mentor.
Jeremy has a deep appreciation for the value of craft and hands-on making of things. This passion informs his design and construction administration approach, from furniture to complex institutional buildings. He is skilled in visual communication to engage deeply with clients and the communities they serve, advancing the design process and building consensus. He's committed to delivering results that everyone can be proud of, all while staying on budget and on time.
Education
University of Virginia
Well organized, analytical, and thoughtful, Jonathan maintains quality for documentation and delivery of most of the firm's most complex projects. With more 25 years of experience, Jonathan is a technical expert for construction detailing and an invaluable internal resource for building materials, code analysis, and document standards. Jonathan's experience and passion for design are coupled with skillful listening and interpretation of the clients' needs. He has coordinated teams for numerous complex projects and is a skilled orchestrator of communication and information amongst all parties involved. His vast experience working within historic preservation and redevelopment projects makes his particularly adept at navigating technical requirements of historic adaptive reuse projects within regulatory constraints. With admirable humility, Jonathan works with clients on a day-to-day basis to create meaningful and successful facilities at all scales.
Education
University of Virginia
Job Titles:
- Montgomery College Student Affairs and Science Building
Named a Partner in 2018, Katelin wears many hats and is a confident voice for progress. She leads firm operations, project initiation, business development and marketing efforts. She is passionate about aligning business practices with purposeful strategy to elevate the efforts of our studio and fulfill our mission that great design can have a positive social impact. Her varied experience informs a collaborative and detailed approach to establishing project expectations and negotiating with our partners to prepare a project for the best success internally and externally.
Kelly is selflessly dedicated to social impact and sustainable design. Growing up with an ever-present issue of vacancy in Baltimore inspired Kelly to contribute to a solution through architecture. She brings a unique perspective to projects after completing a voluntary year of service in AmeriCorps working for Habitat for Humanity on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. She leverages her experience and technical abilities to ensure social, environmental, and economic project goals are met. Kelly's unwavering heart for Baltimore is shown through her work, community involvement, and the restoration of her very own vacated rowhouse.
Education
Columbia University GSAPP, Master of Architecture, 2012
Catholic University of America School of Architecture and Planning, Bachelor of Science, Architecture, 2007
Accreditation
LEED AP BD+C, 2009
Mark joined Z|S early in his career before venturing to South Africa for over a decade. With extensive experience in the industry, he returned to the firm in 2022, bringing a fresh perspective and passion for quality design. Mark's global experience in cultural, residential, and hospitality projects has allowed him to develop a unique perspective on architecture and design. He has a unique ability to conceptualize and communicate complex design ideas at a variety of scales, from master planning to building details, emphasizing the importance of functionality, sustainability, and beauty in every project. Mark's leadership and management skills were honed during his time in South Africa, where he served as a director at a prominent architecture firm.
Education
University of Cincinnati
Bachelor of Architecture, 1995
Michael's interest in space, culture, and history allow him to view architecture as a way to combine interests and expression in a practice that is intrinsically optimistic. He believes that creating good architecture is an act of optimism and has the ability to see the opportunities in the built environment to influence communities around him. He marries vision and execution by building strong relationships with clients and consultant teams, and thrives in the iterative process to find a best possible design solution within parameters given. Michael brings balance and a cohesion to find the unique story behind each project and best articulate the ideas and goals of the design approach.
Education
College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning
University of Cincinnati
Mike initially became interested in architecture because of his extensive family background in construction. During his time at The Catholic University of America he explored architecture's ability to mediate our relationship with the world, a tradition rooted in many aspects of art and design. He is experienced in a large range of projects from small scale residential to large scale institutional work. Honoring architecture's relationship with construction, Mike is focused on selection and appropriate use of materials to create durable and evocative buildings.
Education
The Catholic University of America
Job Titles:
- Chestertown Public Arts Master Plan / Friends School of Baltimore Little Friends / American Can Company
When you hear Steve laugh you won't be able to help but laugh with him. His joy is not his only contagious quality. His life-long passion for design excellence, appreciation of art, and commitment to the community inspire the studio and our clients. His humility, integrity, and insight make him a skilled consensus builder, focusing a broad team toward a unified and distilled design vision for each project. He is a hands-on Design Partner, ever present during the entire evolution of a project. There is a unique expression for each of Steve's projects, yet together they can be read as a life's oeuvre to improve the quality of life in his beloved Baltimore. His commitment to design excellence contributed to his elevation to the AIA College of Fellows in 2018. Today, Steve dedicates a large percentage of his time serving on philanthropic boards, school boards, and boards for community and arts organizations. Through this service, he shares with contagion his optimism for the future and hope for the next generation.