Jim Zack

Jim Zack

Founding Principal

Zack/de Vito

San Francisco

Jim Zack is a California native and the founding principal of Zack/de Vito Architecture + Construction. He has been practicing architecture since 1991 and building since 1977.

His professional experience covers a diverse range of project types with an emphasis on modern residences and restaurants. Prior to studying architecture Jim Zack was a journeyman carpenter and contractor in his hometown of Carmel, designing and building his first residential development when he was 23. The current emphasis of his firm is on completing well crafted, design focused design/build projects.

Jim received both a Bachelors and Masters degree in Architecture from UC Berkeley and is a California licensed architect and contractor. He lives in San Francisco with his wife and partner, Lise de Vito, and their two kids. When not designing and building, you can often find him on two wheels – cycling or racing motorcycles.

About Zack/de Vito:

“Zack | de Vito’s philosophy is to design buildings with attention and detail, while maintaining discipline, thoroughness and big picture overview. We provide you with a high level of client service, culminating in exquisitely designed and crafted buildings – combining the art of creativity and the art of “getting-it-done”.

We possess the highly dynamic set of skills required to successfully complete site-specific Architecture, Full-Service Architect-Led Design|Build commission as well as Residential Developement.

We have been extensively featured in publications, books and exhibitions and are honored to have received national and local awards for many varying project types.”

Articles featuring Jim Zack

Steelhouse – Two Unit Property Designed, Developed and Built by Zack/de Vito

Welcome to our projects series where we present benchmarks of urban living – self developed by architects and creative city makers. This week we want to present to you Steelhouse 1+2, designed, developed and built in-house by San Francisco based Zack/de Vito. We recently spoke with Jim Zack, founder of Zack/de Vito Architecture + Construction, an expert in […]

Design/Build as a Business Model – with Architect Developer Jim Zack

Welcome back to Archipreneur Insights, the interview series with leaders who are responsible for some of the world’s most exciting and creatively disarming architecture. The series largely follows those who have an architectural degree but have since followed an entrepreneurial or alternative career path but also interviews other key players in the building and development […]

Products featuring Jim Zack

Report #04

Architect and Developer:
A Case Study Handbook to Getting Started

In our Architect and Developer report you can read 10 interviews of practicing Architect and Developers who share their stories and how they got started with the first projects. Learn from their first-hand experiences and be inspired to start with your own project.

Quotes from Jim Zack

  • "All architects know how to manage a project, so making the leap to managing everything is not that hard."
  • "As far as starting out on your own – do it when you are young and can afford to lose, or wait to know the ropes and can cultivate clients."
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