Architect and Principal, ZMM Architects & Engineers
Facebook: Adam Krason
Facebook: ZMM
LinkedIn: Adam Krason
Written by Dawn Nolan
Growing up in the Mid-Ohio Valley, Adam Krason had dreams of either being an architect, an engineer or following in his father’s footsteps as a pharmacist. A little guidance from his mother made the decision much easier. “I think my mother always went out of her way to mention what she saw as her children’s strong skills and what jobs might go with those skills,” Krason says. “Because I had an interest in art as well as math and science, she guided me toward architecture.”
In his current role as architect and principal at ZMM Architects & Engineers in Charleston, Krason combines those lifelong interests of art and science into award-winning designs.
As a teen, Krason spent his spare time delivering newspapers for The Marietta Times, serving as a lifeguard at the Parkersburg YMCA and working alongside his dad at Nelson’s Drug Store. After high school, he studied architecture and civil engineering at The Catholic University of America. His first professional job was with ms consultants, inc. in Youngstown, Ohio. There, he met Anthony Hayek, who taught Krason the particulars of the industry that college textbooks could not.
“Mr. Hayek was a good first mentor and gave me plenty of room to both succeed and fail,” he says. “I remember one time we were discussing a detail about a project. He said he knew his opinion was right and that I was wrong but that I could do it my way so I could learn why he was right. He never minded if I made a mistake. He just didn’t want me to repeat that mistake in the future.”
Krason made the move to ZMM in Charleston in 2003. The opportunity has allowed him to be the lead on notable projects like Edgewood Elementary School, the Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council Volunteer Resource Center and the Joint Interagency Training and Education Center, all of which won awards from the state chapter of the American Institute of Architects. “My greatest professional success has been the opportunity to help lead a talented group of design professionals,” he says. “In many cases I get to be out in front of a project, but there is always a team from ZMM supporting the effort.”
Rod Watkins, one of Krason’s mentors at ZMM, passed along something more than industry insight to the young architect: a commitment to the community. Balancing a career with life and volunteer work is an ongoing challenge, but the father of four remains determined to build a better community. Krason is a founding member of Charleston Main Streets, a previous board president for West Side Main Street and a member of Charleston’s Municipal Planning Commission and Historic Landmarks Commission. He sits on the advisory board for the Sustainability Institute at BridgeValley Community and Technical College, and he’s a board member for the Clay Center, the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Habitat for Humanity of Kanawha and Putnam Counties. He is also a graduate of Leadership West Virginia, is active with the Charleston Area Alliance’s Economic Development Committee and Charleston Rotary and still finds time to help coach little league baseball.
“I like to be involved, and I care about my community,” he says. “I think we can make Charleston and West Virginia better, and the only way to do that is to participate. Every organization I support helps make our community a better place either on the individual level or by providing better educational and cultural opportunities for everyone.”
It’s his competitive mindset, positive outlook and urge to push forward that Krason says keeps driving him to achieve his goals, like working toward an accredited learning environment planner credential. “I’m competitive by nature, so that helps keep me motivated,” he says. “I also think we can do better—personally, as a community, as a business, as a state—and that keeps me motivated as well.”
What is your favorite . . . ?
Color – Blue
Food – Tiramisu
Cartoon Character – Kermit the Frog
Ice Cream – Rocky Road
Animal – Elephant
Book – “11/22/63”
App – iTunes
Midnight Snack – Cheese and crackers
TV Show – “Orange is the New Black”
Movie – “A River Runs Through It”
Smell – The beach
Sport Team – Pittsburgh Steelers
Car – I’m not a car guy.
Pet – Flapjack
Place – Tybee Island, GA
Season – Fall
Local Restaurant – Mi Cocina de Amor, Swiftwater Cafe
Era – Now
