ZGF Architects; Most Iconic Works (2025 Review)
ZGF Architects, founded in 1942, has become a leader in sustainable, human-centered design. With over 80 years of experience, the firm has completed numerous innovative projects across the globe, transforming urban spaces, workplaces, and healthcare facilities. Notable achievements include the PAE Living Building, the world’s largest commercial urban Living Building, and Twelve West, a mixed-use building with a focus on sustainability.
ZGF has garnered multiple AIA COTE Top Ten Awards, solidifying its role in reshaping the built environment. The firm’s commitment to biophilic design, adaptive reuse, and cutting-edge technology continues to drive architectural excellence and environmental responsibility.
ZGF Architects’ Legacy in Architecture
ZGF Architects is a renowned design firm known for its commitment to sustainability and human-centered architecture. Since 1942, the firm has shaped urban landscapes, workplaces, and healthcare facilities with forward-thinking designs. Notable projects like the PAE Living Building and Twelve West exemplify its dedication to environmental responsibility.
ZGF integrates biophilic design, adaptive reuse, and advanced technology to enhance user experience. With multiple AIA COTE Top Ten Awards, ZGF continues to push architectural boundaries, ensuring a lasting impact on the built environment through resilience, sustainability, and aesthetic excellence.
ZGF Architects: Design Philosophy & Key Strengths
ZGF Architects is driven by a philosophy that blends sustainability, innovation, and human-centric design. The firm prioritizes environmental responsibility, adaptive reuse, and cutting-edge technology to create spaces that enhance user experience. Key strengths include sustainable architecture, as seen in the PAE Living Building, and urban transformation through projects like Twelve West.
ZGF excels in designing workplaces, healthcare, and educational facilities that integrate natural light, flexibility, and biophilic elements. With numerous AIA COTE Top Ten Awards, the firm remains a leader in crafting resilient, aesthetically refined, and future-ready architecture.
Iconic Projects by ZGF Architects
ZGF Architects has left a lasting mark on the architectural world with numerous iconic projects that blend innovation, sustainability, and functionality. Here are a few standout examples:
1. PAE Living Building, Portland, Oregon
The PAE Living Building is a trailblazer in sustainable design, being the largest commercial urban Living Building in the world. Completed in 2021, it generates 113% of its energy needs through solar panels and captures rainwater for potable use. The building’s use of Red List-free materials further highlights ZGF’s commitment to sustainability. It won the prestigious AIA COTE Top Ten Award for sustainable design.
2. Twelve West, Portland, Oregon
Twelve West is a 23-story mixed-use building that combines office spaces, residential apartments, and street-level retail. The project incorporates four rooftop wind turbines and green roofs, achieving double LEED Platinum certification. Completed in 2009, it represents a harmonious blend of sustainability and urban living, contributing to the revitalization of Portland’s skyline.
3. Expensify Portland Office, Portland, Oregon
ZGF transformed the historic First National Bank Building into a modern and flexible workspace for Expensify. Completed in 2017, the design emphasizes open, unassigned seating and floating conference rooms. It successfully combines historic preservation with modern office design, earning Interior Design’s Best of Year Award in 2018.
4. The Assembly, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
A bold repurposing of a former Ford Motor Company assembly plant, The Assembly serves as a dynamic research hub. ZGF preserved industrial elements such as crane sheds and columns while integrating modern design to create flexible, collaborative spaces for students and faculty.
These projects reflect ZGF’s continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of architecture while emphasizing sustainability, innovation, and user-focused design.
Resources: aaup | Architectural Digest | ArchDaily | Dezeen | World Architecture News