About Us

Man with glasses, wearing a black t-shirt with North Standard printed on it, standing in workshop with metal equipment and tools, smiling, with a yellow wristwatch on his left wrist.

Ken Schapira

For more than two decades, Ken Schapira has built a reputation as the person you call when the design problem is unusual, ambitious, or seemingly impossible. As the owner of North Standard Fabrication and Construction LLC, he blends deep technical skill with a designer’s eye, creating work that is both functional and expressive.

Ken’s portfolio spans some of Philadelphia’s most celebrated restaurants—Provenance (holder of a Michelin star), Lucky Duck, Fleur’s, and many others—and extends into the arts world through collaborations with Icebox Project Space and the Museum for Art in Wood. His projects often sit at the intersection of architecture, craft, and engineering.

Before launching North Standard in 2019, Ken led Red Oak Development, a residential building and development company known for distinctive, detail‑driven work. North Standard now focuses on custom metal and wood fabrication, furniture, fixtures, signage, and structural steel for clients who value originality, durability, and thoughtful design.

Five men standing in front of a large machine in a workshop with brick walls and shelves filled with labeled plastic bins.
Group of nine people standing in front of a black brick wall with a large logo that says "North Standard Fabrication & Construction" and a red gear icon.