Sophia Zaita





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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
03.               

Cornell University
Fall 2025i. Ripple

In Collaboration with 
Katie Lee + Colleen Zeugin
ARCH5613, Structural Systems

Led by
Mark  R. Cruvellier
Based on Takatoku Nishi’s Ripple Installation
December 2020, University of Tokyo

Modeled in Mark Cruvellier’s Structures II Course, emphasizing our understanding on this particular structural system highlighting all details through our construction methods and material choice.

The structure is made of a series of rigid frames, arranged in a tapered profile, and covered in individually fabricated, tapering wooden panels. These panels provide both enclosure and lateral stability through their repeated joints and attachment logic while supporting integrated tubular skylights that reflect and diffuse light. The plastered floor is laid over a rigid substrate to ensure durability. Together, these elements create a lightweight but stable system that combines structural function with spatial effect.

The skylights create a “ripple” effect on the floor with their collaboration with sun and wind. This shifting play of light is intensified by the surrounding darkness of the linear space. In seeking to translate this experience into our model, we show the moving light through a flipbook that reveals the ripples as they emerge, made visible through the construction of the skylights and a direct flashlight.






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