Sophia Zaita





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05.
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The Cherry Farm
Movement as Healing
Regeneration
Not Quite
Among the Trees

Professional Work
Learning on the Line
GrowNYC’s Entryway
Additional

Additional Projects
Ripple
Aging Lamps
Discreet Dryer
Broken Ritual
Sph(dere)

The Archive
Sketches
Watercolor
Photography

SZ
About
Contact
CV
Recognition
    Copyright © 2026 Sophia Zaita
01.              

Parsons
Fall 2023 ii. Movement as Healing

PUAD4010, Design Studio 5

Led by
David Gissen
 
Site Location: Ridgewood, Queens, NY, USA

“The Heumann Community Campus of New York City,” named after disability activist and New Yorker, Judith Heumann. The Campus is reimagining urban planning in order to ease the daily struggles of the disabled population and provide new infrastructure for active disability organizations and existing neighborhood businesses to occupy.

Movement as Healing
In collaboration with Hazel Kim

The proposed sites for the campus are in an almost continuous line acress four narrow lots between four city blocks, lined by residential, commercial, and educational facilities.
Roof Plan
Main Plan
Full Scale Tactile Model

Within the bike repair shop and bike storage, there are five large and one small sliding garage door to provide a direct connection between the interior and exterior spaces. Interior glazing and wooden 2x4s were used in the construction of these horizontal doors. Every door’s handle is positioned to accommodate both the average height of a person standing (3’-0” from the ground) and a person who uses a wheelchair (2’-4” from the ground). The front and side facade of the handle element is wrapped with a fur like texture for those with sight blindness to easily locate the entry handle through touch.
Bike Storage Street Entry
Exiting the Bike Storage
Along the Bike Path

Each building’s roofscape and geometrical carving are carefully designed to allow height fluctuation, generating comfortable areas suitable for individuals with varying heights. When people are riding, running, or strolling through the area, the tactile elements - such as the gradient bike route and the green areas in the lot courtyard - help them navigate.
The Huemann Gallery
Overall View






Info.


SZ is a Master of Architecture Candidate at Cornell University, anticipated graudation in Fall 2027.

She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architectural Design from Parsons School of Design in Spring 2024, graduating summa cum laude and received the Honors Award at graduation for her contributions to the School of Constructed Environments.

Her interests are focused on sustainable design with the use of healthier materials, reflecting a deep interest in shaping the future of architecture both locally and globally.

Zaita was born and raised in Queens, New York. Now living in New Jersey + working in the NYC area.

Sophia Zaita
sophiazaita246@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/sophia-zaita
CV.

Education.










Work.

Cornell University
Master of Architecture


Parsons School of Design
BFA Architectural Design

Graduated with Honors and Departmental Honors


Teaching Assistant
Cornell University,
ARCH 1612/5612 Structural Concepts - Mark R. Cruvellier

Graduate Research Assistant
Cornell University, Cat Wilmes

Tutor
Parsons School of Design

Architecture Intern
Space4Architecture

Co-Designer/Construction Crew
Parsons Design Workshop


Ithaca, NY
December 2027


New York, NY
May 2024





Ithaca, NY
Jan-May 2026



Ithaca, NY
Jan-June 2025

New York, NY
Jan-May 2024

New York, NY
May-Sept 2023

New York, NY
Jun-Aug 2022


Skills.

Rhino
AutoCAD
Sketchup
Enscape
Vray
Grasshopper
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe InDesign

Phys. Modeling
Carpentry
3D Printing
Laser Cutting
Book Binding






  open pdf


Competitons.




Recognition.









Archived Projects.
Parsons School of Design




The Healthy Materials Lab, December 2022 Newsletter.




The Healthy Materials Lab, January 2024 Vermont Housing Project.

Shortlisted Competition Project
“Learning on the Line”
Led by Catherine Wilmes


Recieved the Honors Award at graduation - Awarded to a student for their outstanding contributions to the SCE community.

Dean’s List
Parsons School of Design


The Tilt
Veiled Sound
E.W.R.
Movement as Healing



E.W.R.

https://healthymaterialslab.org/blog/parsons-ad-students



Among the Trees

https://healthymaterialslab.org/projects/smokey-house-vermont

Summer 2025




Spring 2024





Fall 2020 -Spring 2024


Fall 2021
Spring 2022
Fall 2022
Fall 2023



Fall 2022






Spring 2024