Christian Zapatka Architect, PLLC

An architect highly versed in the scholarly traditions of classical architecture and the modernist aesthetic, Christian Zapatka brings his rich understanding of the history of architecture and its power to transform place and space to his practice. After studying American history at Georgetown University, Zapatka earned his master’s degree in architecture from Princeton. He apprenticed with the storied architect Michael Graves and taught architectural design and history for a total of a decade at Princeton, Columbia, University of Michigan and Catholic University before launching his Georgetown-based firm in DC.

Zapatka’s deep foundation in the history and practice of architecture inform his approach to all his work, from historic renovations to contemporary designs. Over the course of two decades, his firm has designed projects ranging from urban interventions to country dwellings, including new builds, renovations and additions, apartment transformations and accessory dwellings.

Zapatka is a Fellow of the American Academy in Rome, having been awarded the Rome Prize for Architecture. His book, The American Landscape, received an AIA International Book Award. He was also a recipient of the AIA Rowhouse of the Future Award. In 2025, he won a John Russell Pope Award for urban design.

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