VALENTINA SANZ
ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO
vs349@cornell.edu | (305) 439 2268 | Cornell
VALENTINA SANZ
EDUCATION
Cornell University; College of Architecture, Art & Planning (AAP); Ithaca, NY
Bachelor of Architecture | Minor in Business Administration
GPA: 4.03 / 4.00 | Expected Graduation Date: May 2025
WORK EXPERIENCE
Bogle Architects; Prague, Czech Republic Architectural Intern
BRIC Architecture; Portland, OR
Architectural Intern
John Lum Architecture; San Francisco, CA
Architectural Intern
Selman Arquitectos; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Architectural Intern
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & LEADERSHIP
Cornell AAP Career Development; Ithaca, NY
Peer Career Advisor
Cornell’s National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) Chapter; Ithaca, NY Design Team Co-lead
Cornell University Sustainable Design (CUSD); Ithaca, NY
Ithaca Carbon Neutrality 2030 Team Co-lead
RECOGNITION
First Place | Barbara G. Laurie 2023 NOMA Student Competition
Dean’s Honor List
PLATE Publication
June 2023 - Aug 2023
June 2022 - Aug 2022
June 2021 - July 2021
Sept 2024 - Present
June 2023 - Oct 2023
Jan 2022 - May 2023 2023
2021-2024 2020
SKILLS Aug2020 - Present July 2024 - Aug 2024
Software | Rhino 3D, Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp, Grasshopper, Enscape, Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office
Languages | English (advanced), Spanish (native), Italian (beginner)
Interests | Travel journal sketches; Team soccer and volleyball; Long-distance half/full marathon running
01 02 03 04 05
CASCADING LIGHT FLOWS
Net-Zero Climate Resiliency Education Center | Phoenix, AZ
Fall 2024 | Prof. Christiana Moss & Margaret Krik
RECLAIMING ALBINA’S LEGACY
Barbara G. Laurie Student Competition | Portland, OR
Fall 2023 | Prof. Imani Day & Suzanne Lettieri
INVERTING THE DINING EXPERIENCE
Culinary Experience | Rome, Italy
Spring 2024 | Prof. Martin Miller
INTERWEAVING CULTURES
Thresholds and Fabrication in San Juan Hill | New York City, NY
Fall 2022 | Prof. Sydney Maubert
SELECTED EVENTS AND WORKS
Conferences, Thesis Research, & Professional Experience
Work from 2023 - 2025
CASCADING LIGHT FLOWS
PROF. CHRISTIANA MOSS & MAGGIE KIRK | FALL 2024
NET-ZERO CLIMATE EDUCATION CENTER | PHOENIX, AZ
Individual project. All design, drawings, and visual materials were independently created by me.
Inspired by the vertical growth and solar orientation of the prickly pear cactus, the project serves as a beacon on the site, the Tres Rios Wetlands, with a sculptural exhibition space that extends vertically. The space is designed to orient toward the most consistent light source while folding strategically to minimize glare. Supporting education programs flow outward from the exhibition space, transitioning from public to private and borrowing light from the exhibition to reduce direct solar heat gain. The goal is to seamlessly integrate natural elements into the building to enhance comfort, achieve net-zero energy use, and strengthen the connection with the site.
Externally, the rammed earth envelope gives the building a sense of weight and permanence, while the interior contrasts with light, airy materiality. Elements like the biomes, water features, and passive strategies contribute to aligning with the project’s net-zero goals. By focusing on education, sustainability, and connection, the center offers an engaging exploration of water systems while fostering a deep relationship with the natural world.
Perpendicular Section
Cascading Light Flows | Fall 2024
Ground Floor Plan
Exhibition Sculpting towards Sunlight
Circulation within the exhibition expands to the exterior
WINDOWS
Window to Wall Ratio: Its lower towards the south, reducing direct solar heat gain.
Shading: Thickness of rammed earth acts as a shading device for the window openings.
EXTERIOR BIOME
TRES RIOS WETLANDS
Cooling : Wetland proximity cools the building.
Water Source : The wetland’s water supports the biome and building use.
CANTILEVER PLATFORMS
Self Shading : The overhang is wider towards the west to account for the harsher sunlight.
Reuse of Material : The structure is composed of the framework used to cast the rammed earth.
PV PANELS
Net Positive : PV panels collect solar energy and fully offset the building’s energy use.
Cooling : The biome cools the building through evaporation. Located towards the southwest where the sun is more intense. Native Plants : Plants like the prickly pear and agave support the biome.
RAMMED EARTH ENVELOPE
High Thermal Performance : The thermal mass regulates indoor temperatures, reducing heating and cooling loads.
Low Embodied Carbon : Material is durable and locally sourced.
BUILDING ORIENTATION
Natural Ventilation : The building takes advantage of the strong wind directions following the south-east to north-west axis through cross
CLT MASS TIMBER STRUCTURE
Low Embodied Carbon : Timber sequesters carbon and its production emits less CO2 than other materials.
High Thermal Performance : CLT has great natural insulation properties.
EXHIBITION SPACES SELF-SHADING
Folding Geometry : The geometries self shade to reduce disturbing glare while having evenly distributed sunlight. Skylights :The spaces are rotating and reaching towards the southern sun to provide necessary [indirect] sunlight.
WATER STORAGE & USAGE
Storage: The wetland’s water is stored and pumped into the building using efficient mechanical systems.
Usage: Some of the water is recycled to the wetlands (from the platform), some becomes potable, and the rest is used for the biome, bathrooms, and support areas.
CONSTRUCTION DETAIL
Flashing
Counter-flashing
Rammed Earth
Vert. Reinforcement
Cork Insulation [R 25 ci]
Vapor Barrier
CLT Panels
Glulam Beam
Glulam Column Beyond
Double Pane IGU
Flashing
Rammed Earth
Cork Insulation
Vapor Barrier
Wood Planks
Water Pipes
Thermally Broken
Steal Connection
Steel Girder
Welded Connections
Rammed Earth
Cork Insulation
Vapor Barrier
Glulam Column Beyond
Wood Planks
Metal Shoe Beyond
Thermally Broken
Steal Connection
Steel Girder
Welded Connections
Wood Floor Finish
Plywood Sheathing
Concrete Slab
Cork Insulation
Sand Bed
Gravel Bed
Pipe
Concrete
Foundation
Pile
Foundation
Slope to Drain
Concept Study Model | Drawing Inspiration from Cacti
Massing Study Models
I. Entrance Path to the Exhibition
II. Exhibition Space Opening Up to the Exterior
III. Final View of the Center upon Exit Route
RECLAIMING ALBINA’S LEGACY
NOMAS COMPETITION | PROF. IMANI DAY | FALL 2023
HOUSING, RETAIL, & PUBLIC SPACES | PORTLAND, OR
Won 1st place at the 2023 Barbara G. Laurie NOMA Competition. As a design co-lead with Alejandra Siguenza and Omar Leon, conceptualized the design of the project and oversaw the responsibilities of the Cornell NOMAS Chapter members.
In order to heal Albina’s fractured history, the design weaves a new tapestry into the landscape, into the site that used to be the commercial center of the community, into the Hill Block. Five healing pillars serve as the foundation of the design: medical health emerges in community spaces and building facades, healthy lifestyles are promoted through green roofs, resilient environmental systems, and rainwater collection systems, and vibrant residences engage with businesses. Communal niches are strategically carved out of the site: one in the land, mapping lot lines memories, and the other in the buildings’ voids, echoing the demolished heritage of past housing. Reciprocal relationships are made as a means of healing and mending past events -- although people’s homes might have been taken away, their sense of culture and community will remain.
Rental Units
101,400 sq ft
For-Sale Homes
32,400 sq ft
Business Incubators
30,000 sq ft
Retail & Community
20,000 sq ft
Program Distribution
MEDICAL CARE
Medical brigade pop-ups and permanent stores within the site make help easily accessible.
COMMUNAL SPACE ACTIVATION
Carved niches across the units acknowledge Albina’s deep history and celebrate its rich culture.
HOME AND RETAIL CONNECTION
Home units connected with a retail component at ground level allow for economic mobility.
Natural Light
Open Events Space Green Roof
HEALTHY LIVING
Gardens maintained by residents promote the use of fresh ingredients and clean practices.
RAIN WATER COLLECTION
Rain water harvesting systems make possible for water conservation and gardening.
Sewerage
Filtration Pipe
Gardening
Roof Garden
Roof Water Collection
BOOKSTORY
Microcosm publishing storefront adjacent to the site. They are an independent book and zine publishing community company.
RESIDENTIAL
House in the community demonstrating Portland’s vibrancy and use of color as a form of identity.
SITE
FORMATION STRATEGY
i. Current Site Lot. It used to be the Hill Block, the commercial center of Albina, demolished in 1960.
CHURCH
URBAN LEAGUE OF PORTLAND
Community organization that aims the community to attain equality employment, health, and quality of life.
ii. The pre-1960 Lot Line Map of the Hill Block was used to organize the building units and exterior circulation.
HILL BLOCK
Historic building that was demolished for the hospital expansion. It was the center of the business district in Albina.
BASKETBALL COURT
to empower in education, life.
iii. The building units are then raised as a continuous topography fractured by the violent historic conditions.
LEGACY EMANUEL HOSPITAL
In 1972, the hospital expanded, and hundreds of homes and businesses of the community were demolished. The expansion never happened.
RESIDENTIAL
Historic house in Portland. Pitched roofs are common around the area along with playful facades.
iv. At a smaller scale, communal niches are carved to respect Albina’s history and celebrate it’s rich culture.
PORTLAND BANK
Flexible partitions to protect the community from typically rainy conditions.
Carved niches and steps to activate the center with art, music, and people.
Vibrant coffee shops to attract residents and promote economic mobility.
THE VIEWING PLATFORM CONN
STRUCTURAL MODEL | PROF. CRUVELLIER | FALL 2021
PRECEDENT STUDY | FILMS MOUNTAIN, SWITZERLAND
Team Project. The team divided tasks evenly among members, including finding the rock for the site, calculating the angle at which materials met, using the metal shop to cut the pieces, and assembling the model.
Anchoring at the outermost edge of the Flims Mountain in Switzerland, the Viewing Platform Conn presents a 180-degree panoramic view of the Ruinaulta gorge. The intervention integrates into its surroundings through carefully selected materials and its distinct shape. Key structural concepts of the building include the lateral loadresisting systems and building materials. The structure resists lateral loads generated by wind and earthquakes through a braced frame system, allowing all forces to be in pure tension and compression. The diagonally braced frames connect to the A-frame and wooden platform for stability. Regarding materials, steel exhibits excellent material strength, easily withstanding high-stress levels, while wood efficiently performs under compression.
INVERTING THE DINING EXPERIENCE
PROF. MARTIN MILLER | SPRING 2024
CULINARY EXPERIENCE | ROME, ITALY
Team project. The team worked in unison on design phases and project conceptualization. Between the three members, we evenly divided the final drawings, overseen by all.
Inverting Relationships re-imagines the dining experience by fostering social interaction among diners and inviting them to dine with strangers. It inverts the traditional food service process, prompting diners to move towards each course of the menu rather than to remain stationary. Moreover, each dining room has its distinct character, with architectural and atmospheric qualities that complement the food being served at that given course. After each course, guests transition through a cleansing period, walking towards the next room without knowing what awaits them or who they will meet next. Rhythms of movement and conversation therefore change throughout the experience, guided by the menu and cleansing transitions. All of these elements are integrated within an architectural framework that balances solid and void, transitory and stationary relations.
2nd Course
Appetizer
ELEMENTS & SEQUENCE OF THE DINING EXPERIENCE
Transitory Spaces (A) Dining Areas (B)
Uscita
Pulizia
Secondi Piatti
Dolce
(A) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C)
Pulizia
Pulizia (C) [Cleansing & Coming Together Spaces]
Entrata
Aperitivi
Primi Piatti
(C) (B) (A) (B)
Unrolled Section (Right to Left)
Aperitivi: Focaccia with Tomatoes
Grilled Artichoke
Pulizia: Red Wine Pasapalos
Secondi Piatti: Veal in Tuna Sauce Aqua Pazza
INTERWEAVING CULTURES
THRESHOLDS & FABRICATION | PROF. MAUBERT | FALL 2022
CULTURAL
MARKET & MUSEUM | NEW YORK CITY, NY
Individual project. All design, drawings, and visual materials were independently created by me.
The project aims to create a space of performance and gathering for the displaced communities of San Juan Hill. Recognizing the central role of food in cultural expression and community, the design incorporates a museum and local food market to showcase the art and practices of these marginalized communities.
Essentially, the project brings a private act from the domestic space into the public realm for diverse cultures to enjoy. Derived from a study analyzing domesticity in a Latin American home, the concept of the project is deeply rooted in performance and its relation to the human scale. For instance, typical Latin American homes feature two rooms with the same program: one for private use and the other for public gatherings. Despite mirroring each other, these spaces serve distinct purposes and exhibit different materialities.
CONCEPT SKETCH | CULTURAL MARKET
Transitive, Interactive, and to the Human Scale
Market Tables Weaving through the Site
Cultural Market leading to the Museum
Longitudinal Section
Home and Culture | Handmade textile 16” x 12”
SELECTED EVENTS & PROFESSIONAL WORK CONFERENCES, PROFESSIONAL WORK, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT | WORK FROM 2023 - 2024
This section of events and works highlights a curated collection of experiences and skills developed both within and beyond my time at Cornell. From participating in conferences and panel events to engaging with communities, each reflects my growth as a designer and collaborator. These experiences have not only honed my technical abilities but also strengthened my leadership, teamwork, communication, and storytelling skills.
BARBARA G. LAURIE 2023 STUDENT COMPETITION
NOMAS CORNELL CHAPTER | FALL 2023
As Design Co-lead for Cornell’s NOMAS team, I presented the design during two competitive rounds at the NOMA 2023 Conference, engaging with a panel of jurors to articulate the project’s narrative, research, and conceptual approach. Our team was awarded 1st place among 38 participating architecture schools nationwide.
A CANDID CONVERSATION
AAP CAREER DEVELOPMENT | FALL
As a Peer Career Advisor at Cornell conversation with Dave Johnson from 20 students in a discussion about navigating It focused on demystifying the profession, look for in candidates and how to transition
WITH DAVE JOHNSON
FALL
2024
Cornell AAP, I organized and facilitated a from BRIC Architecture, engaging over navigating career paths in architecture. profession, offering insights into what firms transition from academia to practice.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
LISTENNG AND LEARNING AT BRIC INTERNSHIP | SUMMER 2023
As an intern at BRIC Architecture, I volunteered alongside fellow interns to collaborate with the local community in building a stage set for Portland’s annual Pickathon event. The project emphasized handson teamwork and community engagement, resulting in a creative and sustainable structure for the festival.
37:1
= typical student to teacher ratio
13.6 ft² (1.26 m²) per student
“It is recommended to use modulation in designing the components physical structure by creating a modular design grid based module. This grid should be used ... to reduce the variety the production of standardized elements.”
Law 66 - 97; General Law
EL AULA, LA ESCUELA, LA COMUNIDAD
THESIS PROJECT | PROF. SILVERBLATT | SPRING 2025
PUBLIC SCHOOLS | DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
This thesis examines the Dominican Republic’s public school system and how very specific spatial conditions impact student learning, engagement, and well-being. Current research involves speaking to the different actors that play a role within the system. Through historical analysis, data collection, and community engagement, it explores issues of equity, accessibility, and adaptability in educational spaces.
Thesis Question: Can we reimagine and develop a new educational model for the Dominican Republic’s public school system through an experiential and qualitative design process—one that actively involves multiple stakeholders, especially the underrepresented voices, to redefine the identity of public schools and how they materialize in their built environment?
of Education [Article 16]
components of a school’s based on multiples of a basic variety of units and simplifying
Schools Visited
Public Schools in the DR
DAVID DOUGLAS HIGH SCHOOL
BRIC
ARCHITECTURE INTERNSHIP
| SUMMER 2023
PROGRAMMATIC ITERATIONS | PORTLAND, OR
During my internship at BRIC Architecture, I worked on multiple iterations of programming studies for the David Douglas Career Technical School. I developed and refined the Revit model, using Enscape to visualize spatial relationships and enhance the user experience. A key aspect of the design was integrating learning stairs and flexible spaces that promote visibility without direct or authoritative supervision, allowing students a sense of freedom while maintaining a safe and supportive environment. The project emphasized equity in educational spaces, ensuring that classrooms, collaboration areas, and workshop spaces provided opportunities for all students and teachers to cater each lesson based on different learning preferences.
2nd Floor Plan
Ground Floor Plan
