Notable Residents

Bringing Dream to Life

Award-winning architect Robert Zampolin creates unique spaces for his clients

By Nancy Cohen

Robert Zampolin was one of those kids who always knew what they wanted to be. You might say it was the summer trips to visit family in Italy with its architectural grandeur or his early exposure to construction watching and later helping his father, a tile and terrazzo contractor. Whatever the case may be, his passion for beauty and fine craftsmanship was cemented at an early age only to be complemented by his fascination for drawing.

Fast forward to 1985, the year he opened his own award-winning architecture firm in Westwood, that today employs six talented architects including his two sons. True visionaries, the architects take their clients’ ideas, wish lists, personal style preferences and tastes and transform them into an original structure that is perfect for the way the family lives. “We are in tune to things as specific as who turns off the light switch at bedtime and the desired distance from the bathroom to a bedroom,” says Zampolin, a graduate of New Jersey Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Design. “These small details make a house a home.”

One of Zampolin & Associates most majestic properties, this 24,000 square-foot, French Chateau-style home in Alpine was completed in 2018.

Zampolin & Associates specializes in a broad spectrum of design including residential, commercial, industrial and international projects with a focus on luxury custom built residential homes, townhouses and apartments. Homes from 3,000 square feet to 24,000 square feet in prominent northern New Jersey communities like Alpine, Franklin Lakes, Saddle River and Wood-Ridge showcase the firm’s talent and breathtaking artistry.

“As a frm, we are grateful to be able to support our communities and continue our life's work to bring dreams to life for families during these diffcult times.”—ROBERT ZAMPOLIN

As the firm grew, Zampolin began to win jobs outside of New Jersey and realized the benefit of getting certified in other states. Now licensed in states across the country including New York, California and even Florida, a state that has notoriously been resistant to awarding professional licenses to non-residents, the firm continues to win notable projects nationwide. He finds one of the greatest benefits of his work is in meeting incredible people - clients and colleagues - who have made a positive, lasting impression. “One of those people for sure is Terrie O’Connor,” notes Zampolin. “Our paths crossed at Saddle River Grand, one of my proudest accomplishments and the place where Terrie calls home. She is a big force and a bright spirit.” Every attached grand manor home at Saddle River Grand, one of Zampolin & Associates many New Jersey award-winning projects, is customized for its buyer and conceived with luxury in mind. Wright Place at Wesmont Station in Wood-Ridge is another career highlight for Zampolin & Associates. Named 2017 “Community of the Year” by the New Jersey Builders Association, the luxury townhomes appeal to buyers who value spacious layouts and thoughtful design.

Like most businesses relating to real estate design, construction and sales, COVID has had a big impact on Zampolin & Associates. When the pandemic first hit and there was a lot of uncertainty, the phones were quiet for the firm. But with quarantine in place and a new focus on the home, a lack of work is the least of their issues. “With the exodus from New York City to the suburbs of northern New Jersey, we have been busier than ever. As a firm, we are grateful to be able to support our communities and continue our life’s work to bring dreams to life for families during these difficult times,” continues Zampolin.

Saddle River Grand, one of Zampolin & Associates many New Jersey award-winning projects, is customized for its buyer and conceived with luxury in mind.

Robert and Diana Zampolin

Always looking to the future and making sense of the role of architecture post-pandemic, he is more in tune than ever to the ways that people live and move through their space. “Thirty years ago, people wanted defined walls and hallways,” he explains. “Today, it’s all about open floor plans and the absence of walls.” Formal dining rooms are a thing of the past. Entertaining and day-to-day family living is much more functional without closed doors and walls. But like most things, there is a happy medium as people come to realize that some wall space is necessary to display art or hang a TV. And for Zampolin, it’s all about working closely with clients to create a detailed design of their desired concept and bring it to reality.