BOSTON — Perkins&Will has appointed Jeff Zynda as its new firmwide science and technology practice leader, positioning the global architecture and design firm to expand its portfolio of high-tech research environments as worldwide demand for advanced laboratory and innovation spaces continues to grow.
Zynda succeeds Ed Cordes, who led the practice for 11 years. In his new role, Zynda will collaborate with teams across Perkins&Will’s 32 studios worldwide to set strategic direction, expand into emerging markets, and drive innovation across the firm’s science and technology work.
“We’re building on a strong foundation while embracing changes in the market from a global perspective,” Zynda said. “By sharing insights across studios, we can give our clients adaptable frameworks to facilitate discoveries that may not emerge for decades—spaces where high technology and high design intersect.”
Zynda joined Perkins&Will in 2015 and most recently served as the firm’s Northeast regional science and technology practice leader. During that time, he led the planning and design of complex laboratory environments for leading academic and corporate institutions, including Harvard University, MIT, and the National Center for Atmospheric Research, integrating design excellence with advanced research requirements.
As firmwide practice leader, Zynda will support design teams globally as the industry increasingly shifts toward applied sciences and engineering, including robotics and automation, energy systems and storage, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and machine learning. He will also continue to advance innovation within more traditional research and life sciences environments.
“My goal is to ensure we engage in the design of agile, future-ready spaces that anticipate evolving research needs for our clients,” Zynda said. “Our role is to act as a translator—turning ideas into environments that enable discovery and innovation. It’s not just about authoring design; it’s a true collaboration that reflects our clients’ aspirations.”
Zynda’s leadership has resulted in the successful delivery of major science and research facilities across North America and Europe. Notable projects include the Helen Edwards Engineering Research Center at Fermilab; the Roy and Diana Vagelos Science Center at Barnard College; multiple laboratory developments for MITIMCo, including SoMa Site 3; the Biosciences Research Building at the National University of Ireland Galway; biocontainment laboratories at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; and science and innovation cluster master plans for Columbia University, Northeastern University, and Trinity College Dublin.
Zynda earned a Bachelor of Architecture, magna cum laude, from Syracuse University and is Living Future Accredited. He serves as a contributing committee member to the National Institutes of Health Design Requirements Manual, is a regularly published author, and frequently speaks on topics related to laboratory design.
“Jeff’s approach combines deep technical expertise with a client-first, team-focused mindset,” said Phil Harrison, CEO of Perkins&Will. “We are confident that Perkins&Will’s position as an industry leader in science and technology will continue to strengthen under his leadership.”
