Zach Kern

Zach joined COOKFOX in 2022 and has worked on several projects across New York City and the Northeast, primarily focusing on educational initiatives. His first project at COOKFOX was the redesign of the Marymount School, a historic, all-girls Catholic high school located on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Joining while the facility was still under construction, Zach helped oversee this LEED Gold building come to fruition during the remaining two years of construction. 

Currently Zach is project architect for Mundo Verde Calle Ocho, a bilingual public charter school in Washington DC. Zach was integral to every stage of the process, from conceptual design through substantial completion. The LEED Platinum, Net Zero ground up building is slated to open for the 2026 school year.

Previously, Zach spent six years as an architect and designer at RSP Architects in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Focused on retail and hospitality, Zach contributed to dozens of restaurant, hotel, and casino projects across the Twin Cities area, involved with projects such as Bayshore Town Center and Treasure Island Resort and Casino. While at RSP, Zach developed an interest in sustainable design credentials, becoming involved with LEED and WELL. 

At COOKFOX, Zach continues to expand his technical knowledge and has deepened his involvement with organizations focused on sustainable design by being an active member in Urban Green Council. He’s also participated in mentorship programs outside the studio including ACE and LEAGUE, counseling high school and early-career architects and designers.