Jose Murguido, AIA, ALEP, NCARB is a firm Partner and Vice President of Zyscovich Architects, responsible for leading the firm’s Education Studio as well as the Institutional and Governmental practice groups. He is a recognized leader in educational facility planning and design and has been the Principal-in-Charge of over 450 educational facility planning and design projects in his 37 years of experience. His designs are recognized internationally for their innovation and cutting-edge ideas, and he has an innate understanding of how to integrate teaching modalities into the design of a building to create a facility that not only achieves the educational goals of the institution but presents opportunities for new ones. A graduate of the Pratt Institute, with an MBA with a Specialization in Real Estate Development from Florida International University, Jose is an Accredited Learning Environment Planner, a member of the American Institute of Architects, the Florida Educational Facilities Planners’ Association, and the Association for Learning Environments.

Jose is particularly sensitive to the importance of architecture that understands the significance of innovative learning environments and how this relates to the 7 Cs for the 21st century learner. His motivation is to create flexible learning environments that will morph as learning theories evolve so that the graduates of the future are prepared to invent the answers of tomorrow. He has designed a number of award-winning, 21st century learning facilities that integrate 21st century technology with high-performance green design strategies to address educational and operational issues that foster academic achievement, social development, and environmental responsibility.

Jose’s approach to educational facility planning and design is highly integrated with the administration, teachers and other key stakeholders. His process also involves a study of the curriculum and the delivery of the learning theory to determine the appropriate environment, furniture and the instructional aides. While his designs focus on flexibility, operational efficiency and compatibility with school objectives, Jose also possesses a strong understanding of educational evaluation metrics and various international and state requirements, and his designs incorporate these considerations. Jose’s specialized experience includes the creation of educational programs, educational specifications and educational facility master plans for a variety of teaching institutions and includes sustainable design, educational prototype development, the survey and analysis of existing facilities, determining appropriate locations of future buildings, analyzing current and future space needs, and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance. He continually studies the evolution of pedagogy and is committed to preparing students for the future. He has also developed a program to inform educators and administrators on how to leverage 21st century design features to achieve the most innovative and successful results.