Emerging as a pillar of his local and professional communities, architect Joshua Zinder, AIA, LEED AP, frequently lends his talents for design innovation, leadership and mentorship — however he can do the greatest amount of good. Now, his commitments to supporting his professional community have resulted in new honors and a key leadership position.

Earlier this month, Zinder – managing partner of JZA+D, the integrated design firm he founded in Princeton, New Jersey, in 2006 – was honored by AIA New Jersey, the state chapter of the country’s leading organization of design professionals, with a Distinguished Service Award. Zinder was recognized in-person at AIA-NJ’s 2024 Annual Board Installation and Awards Gala, which took place Jan. 13 at Clarks Landing Yacht Club in Point Pleasant, New Jersey.

According to the chapter website, the Distinguished Service Award recognizes Zinder for demonstrating “exceptional leadership by leveraging his passion for architecture in service to his core communities: profession, civic and faith,” as well as for significant contributions that include “championing peers, mentoring practitioners, inspiring business leaders and aiding nonprofits.”

Recently, Zinder’s service to the profession has expanded yet again, with an appointment to serve as a committee member for the AIA Interfaith Design Knowledge Community, which “encourages and supports excellence in the design of worship spaces” and provides a forum for discussion and exchange of ideas among architects working in worship-related typologies nationwide.

As noted in the Service Award, one of Zinder’s focus areas is faith; not only is he a partner in boutique firm Landau Zinder Architecture, which focuses on the design of Jewish worship and gathering spaces, but he also created and co-organized Sukkah Village 2021, a sprawling multi-day event celebrating faith and design as platforms for addressing pressing social issues. For that event, JZA+D designed an innovative sukkah called Illuminated Origami, which was also singled out at the AIA-NJ gala for a Merit Award for Excellence in Architecture honor.

Zinder’s appointment to the Interfaith Design Knowledge Community is just the latest of his professional service efforts. In addition to serving as a member of the Executive Board of, and as New Jersey’s representative to, the AIA Small Firm Exchange — a national-level effort to advance the mutual interests of architects practicing in small firms — Zinder has also served on the AIA-NJ Executive Committee for several years, including a term as 2021 President of the chapter.