Ziger|Snead Architects announces the retirement of founding partner Steve Ziger, FAIA.

BALTIMORE, September 29, 2025 — Steve Ziger, FAIA, has retired from Ziger|Snead Architects after more than four decades of practice. He co-founded the Baltimore-based firm in 1984 with Craig Hoopes and Jamie Snead and has led its evolution into a nationally recognized studio known for cultural, institutional, civic, and residential work. Under his leadership, the firm has received more than 250 awards for design excellence and historic preservation from local, national, and international programs. Through design clarity, collaborative process, and a belief in the power of architecture to drive community change, Ziger leaves a legacy that extends well beyond individual projects. This mission has been realized in transformative projects for nonprofits and institutions in Baltimore and the region, like the Frederick Douglass–Isaac Myers Maritime Park and Museum, Maryland Institute College of Art Brown Center designed with Charles Brickbauer, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Maryland Historical Society Gallery and Link Addition, Baltimore Design School, multiple projects at Friends School of Baltimore and Gilman School, The Center for Parks & People, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Parkway Theater, and the C&O National Historic Park Headquarters, among others. Elevated to the AIA College of Fellows in 2018 for Design, Ziger is recognized for advancing civic architecture through refined design that is rooted in place, inspires optimism, and enhances community engagement. His civic contributions include serving as a founding trustee of the Baltimore Design School, past president of AIA Baltimore, Maryland Public Art Commissioner, board chair of The Contemporary Museum, and a two-decade tenure on the State of Maryland Architectural Design Review Board. He has also served on the Board of Trustees and held leadership roles with the Baltimore Community Foundation, the Parks & People Foundation, the William G. Baker Fund, the Silber Foundation, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. ” Steve’s passion for his work is boundless, and his insights into each design problem are second to none,” said Partner Douglas Bothner at Steve’s retirement celebration,” He is truly a Master Architect – his ability to cut to the heart of a challenge and unlock opportunities to make a project that much better is extraordinary.” Following his retirement, Ziger assumes the title of Partner Emeritus, offering counsel as the studio’s established leadership under Partners Douglas Bothner and Katelin Etoh continues to advance civic, cultural, and institutional work with the rigor and community impact that have defined the practice