Zach Felder, AIA

Zach Felder is old school. He’s a fan of historic architecture and hand drawings, and is a reluctant latecomer to social media.

Hailing from East Aurora, New York, only child Zach spent his formative years outside making up games. His creative spirit was nurtured at the Aurora Waldorf School where he communed with nature. Soon after, golf became a passion as he followed in his father’s footsteps, who once lost a bet to Phil Mickelson. Matriculating at Hobart and William Smith College, Zach packed up his clubs and focused on earning his Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies. His hard work paid off with Honors in Urban Design.

Before heading to the Yale School of Architecture for his Masters, Zach had a two-year stint as a community planner and contractor. Swinging a hammer for two days a week, and planning active transportation, green infrastructure, and park projects the other three, he satisfied his hands-on proclivities while gaining experience in the design field.

At Yale, Zach explored vernacular architecture with Elihu Rubin, his mentor and an associate professor of urbanism. He balanced his course load while serving as a Teaching Fellow for courses on American building typologies and landscapes. Seeking a path distinct from his peers, Zach wrote about rural architecture, craft, and music. Along the way, he compiled a spreadsheet of his favorite buildings, which was sprinkled with several designed by Centerbrook.

A travel buff, Zach has studied urban design in Denmark, traditional furniture in Japan, and architecture in Italy. He has visited 44 states, taken two epic cross-country road trips, and visited artist communities in Appalachia supported by the J.M. Hoppin Dean’s Award. Not surprisingly, Zach’s favorite book is “Blue Highways” by travel writer William Least Heat-Moon.

When not practicing or studying architecture, Zach plays the guitar, particularly country music. He also enjoys ultimate frisbee, disc golf, and basketball.