PORTFOLIO 2026

PORTFOLIO

selected works 2026

gabriela soto sanchez

GABRIELA SOTO SANCHEZ

COMPUTER SKILLS

RHINO ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR PHOTOSHOP INDESIGN REVIT GRASSHOPPER AUTOCAD PREMIERE PRO

EDUCATION

FALL 2025 - PRESENT DAY

FALL 2021 - SPRING 2025

FALL 2017 - SPRING 2021

WORK EXPERIENCE

FALL 2025 - PRESENT DAY

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY (4.0 GPA)

MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE (M.ARCH) 1ST YEAR GRADUATE STUDENT

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY

BACHELOR’S DEGREE OF SCIENCE IN ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES (BSD)

MOON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL (4.0 GPA)

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA

ASU GRADUATE TEACHING ASSITANT

LED STUDIO SECTIONS AND SMALL-GROUP DISCUSSIONS, GUIDING STUDENTS THROUGH DESIGN DEVELOPMENT, ITERATION, AND CRITIQUE WHILE REINFORCING ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPTS. SUPPORT COURSE OBJECTIVES, ASSIST IN LECTURES, AND ALIGN STUDIO INSTRUCTION WITH BROADER CURRICULAR GOALS. PROVIDED ONE-ON-ONE TUTORING AND FEEDBACK. HELPING STUDENTS REFINE DRAWINGS AND MODELS THROUGH CRITICAL DISCUSSION AND PROBLEM-SOLVING. EVALUATED ASSIGNMENTS AND PROJECTS WITH AN EMPHASIS ON DESIGN INTENT, CLARITY, AND TECHNICAL EXECUTION. SERVED AS A KEY POINT OF SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS, FOSTERING AN INCLUSIVE, COLLABORATIVE STUDIO ENVIRONMENT AND ENCOURAGING THOUGHTFUL DESIGN PROCESSES.

2015 - PRESENT DAY

SOTO’S DRYWALL TRANSLATOR AND ONSITE ASSISTANT

FACILITATED CLEAR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SPANISH AND ENGLISH SPEAKING TEAMS. SUPPORTED ON-SITE CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS, GAINING FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE WITH DRYWALL INSTALLATION, MATERIAL HANDLING, AND SEQUENCING OF INTERIOR BUILDOUT WORK. DEVELOPED A PRACTICAL UNDERSTANDING OF CONSTRUCTION PROCESSES ANDTRADE COORDINATION. GAINED DIRECT EXPOSURE TO CONSTRUCTION METHODS AND FIELD CONDITIONS, STRENGTHENING UNDERSTANDING OF HOW DESIGN DECISIONS IMPACT EXECUTION AND LABOR WORKFLOWS.

ACHIEVEMENTS

SPRING 2025

FALL 2024

SPRING 2024

FALL 2022

FALL 2021 - SPRING 2025

LANGUAGES

CERTIFICATIONS

DESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARD

DESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARD

DESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARD

DESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARD

DEAN’S LIST

ENGLISH, SPANISH

OSHA 10 CERTIFICATION

ARCHITECTURE STUDENT AND FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE GRADUATE WITH A STRONG INTEREST IN HOW DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION SHAPE COMMUNITIES AND EVERYDAY LIFE. BRINGS AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT, WITH A FOCUS ON CONNECTING DESIGN INTENT, FUNCTIONALITY, AND COMMUNITY NEEDS. COMMITTED TO THOUGHTFUL, COLLABORATIVE DESIGN PROCESSES AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT IN BOTH TECHNICAL AND CONCEPTUAL WORK.

CONTACT INFORMATION

(602)783-2810

gsoto.architecture@gmail.com

gsotosa1@asu.edu

linkedin.com/in/soto-sanchez-gabriela

CO-HOUSING AT DOWNTOWN PHX

ACADEMIC - 2025 UNDERGRADUATE

PROFESSOR: MARC NEVEU DESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARD RECIPIENT

1

WAREHOUSE DISTRICT HOUSING PROJECT

ACADEMIC - 2025 GRADUATE

PROFESSOR: ELIZABETH MCLEAN

2

ACADEMIC - 2024 UNDERGRADUATE

PROFESSOR: SLADE SHEAFFER

PARTNERS: OLIVIA WEBB KIWANIS NEIGHBORHOOD LIBRARY DESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARD RECIPIENT

3

DWELL UNITY

ACADEMIC - 2024 UNDERGRADUATE

PROFESSOR: DEVAN PORTER

PARTNERS: ATHOUB ALRRAYES, ANH DUONG, DAISY MALDONADO DESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARD RECIPIENT

4

GRAFF REVIVAL PAVILION

ACADEMIC - 2023 UNDERGRADUATE

PROFESSOR: QUIARA CAGUIAT

PARTNER: OLIVIA WEBB

5

CO-HOUSING AT DOWTOWN PHX

817 S 5TH AVE, PHOENIX, AZ 85003

UNDERGRAD STUDIO ARC 402: CEB

SPRING 2025 4TH YEAR STUDIO

PROFESSOR: MARC NEVEU

DESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARD RECIPIENT

TOOLS: RHINO, ILLUSTRATOR, PHOTOSHOP, REVIT, INDESIGN

Co-Housing at Downtown Phoenix is a residential project designed to support single-parent households within the Grant Park neighborhood. Inspired by local and international co-housing precedents, the project prioritizes shared spaces that encourage community connection, mutual support, and resource sharing related to childcare, food security, and daily living.

Conceived as community-oriented housing, the project allows residents to adapt over time. Either remaining longterm or transitioning as their needs change, while maintaining connections through a shared support network. The design emphasizes flexibility, collective ownership, and social resilience at both the individual unit and community scale.

The primary building material is Compressed Earth Block (CEB). An affordable material that is locally available in Arizona and known for its thermal performance. CEB is used throughout the building exterior to enhance durability and passive environmental control. Due to the material’s limitations for integrated services, interior partitions utilize conventional wood framing to accommodate plumbing and electrical systems.

A series of CEB shade walls are strategically placed along the east and west elevations, creating shaded exterior zones that mitigate harsh solar exposure while reinforcing the project’s material and environmental strategy.

The building form is directly informed by programmatic hierarchy and privacy gradients. Private spaces, including bedrooms and bathrooms, are oriented to the north, while semi-private and public spaces progressively open toward the south. Communal areas such as kitchens, dining spaces, and living rooms are positioned to encourage shared use and social interaction, reinforcing the project’s emphasis on collective living.

FLOOR PLAN - 2ND LEVEL

PLAN

In response to extreme heat conditions, the project integrates passive design strategies alongside the use of Compressed Earth Block (CEB). Living units are oriented toward the north, where the majority of glazing is concentrated to reduce solar heat gain. Exterior stairways and CEB shade walls along the east and west elevations act as protective buffers, limiting direct sun exposure. Service spaces such as laundry and utility rooms further reinforce this thermal barrier, protecting primary living areas while supporting efficient building performance.

The design process began with research into diverse family housing models and residential typologies, including row housing and courtyard configurations. The final building form emerged through the strategic blending of these typologies, allowing for a balance between private living units and shared communal spaces. This hybrid approach supports flexibility, adaptability, and long-term community cohesion.

WAREHOUSE DISTRICT HOUSING PROJECT

601 S 3RD ST, PHOENIX, AZ 85003

GRADUATE STUDIO ARC 501: COMMON GORUND

FALL 2025 5TH YEAR STUDIO

PROFESSOR: ELIZABETH MCLEAN

TOOLS: RHINO, ILLUSTRATOR, PHOTOSHOP, INDESIGN

The project addresses the growing demand for housing south of Downtown Phoenix, particularly for individuals and families at risk of housing insecurity. The project proposes a transitional housing development that supports new families, single parents, and residents requiring temporary accommodations.

In response to the studio prompt, the project frames housing as a fundamental human right, while addressing broader challenges related to climate resilience, equity, and inclusivity. Site research revealed a historically significant Hispanic community shaped by discriminatory practices and redlining, informing a design approach rooted in cultural awareness and social responsibility.

The proposal aligns with the City’s long-term goals by prioritizing public transportation access, shaded outdoor spaces, and strong physical and visual connections to Downtown Phoenix while remaining respectful of existing neighborhood conditions. Universal design principles guide the project, with ADA-accessible units on all three floors, a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom units, and a centrally located elevator serving all levels. An accessible ramp doubles as an outdoor seating and gathering space, reinforcing community interaction while supporting inclusive circulation. Indoor and outdoor community spaces, a communal kitchen, and a ground-level retail component introduce mixed-use amenities that activate the site and support neighborhood engagement.

The building follows the CIty of Phoenix and IRC code requirements, utilizing a brick façade to reflect the material character of surrounding structures. The exterior expression is intentionally monolithic, allowing the building and ramp to appear grounded and contextual as if emerging naturally from the fabric of the Warehouse District.

KIWANIS NEIGHBORHOOD

LIBRARY

MILL AVE AND, S ALL AMERICA WAY, TEMPE, AZ 85283

UNDERGRAD STUDIO ARC 302: INFRA-TECTURE

SPRING 2024 3TH YEAR STUDIO

PROFESSOR: SLADE SHEAFFER

PARTNER: OLIVIA WEBB

DESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARD RECIPIENT

TOOLS: RHINO, ILLUSTRATOR, PHOTOSHOP, INDESIGN

The Kiwanis Neighborhood Library explores the intersection of architecture and urban infrastructure, a concept referred to as “infra-tecture.” The building acts as both a literal and figurative hub, integrating functional infrastructure with community benefit. Its form responds to site conditions, park views, and solar orientation, while providing a hybrid space that encourages studying, social interaction, and passive engagement with the surrounding environment. An outdoor ramp bridges the library to Kiwanis Park, serving as a green transition zone and enhancing connections between interior and exterior spaces.

The library’s program is arranged along a vertical hierarchy of public access and privacy.

First floor: Café and dedicated areas for children, teenagers, and young adults.

Second floor: Meeting rooms, offices with direct park views, and additional seating areas.

Third floor: Mix of outdoor terraces and indoor computer and reading spaces.

Fourth floor: Staff areas complemented by additional stackings where staff spaces are not present.

This layering strategy ensures that public spaces remain accessible at street level while private and administrative functions are positioned above, optimizing both user experience and operational efficiency.

*All graphics and drawings in this project are done individually by the author

The chosen site was due to the popularity of Kiwanis park, a central outdoor public space. However, as the site does not have a central indoor public space, this library provides a space the community needs.

DWELL UNITYNORTH CENTRAL ADU

10 ORANGEWOOD AVE, PHOENIX, AZ 85021

UNDERGRAD STUDIO ARC 401: ADU COMPETITION

FALL 2024 4TH YEAR STUDIO

PROFESSOR: DEVAN PORTER

PARTNERS: ATHOUB ALRRAYES, ANH DUONG, DAISY

MALDONADO

DESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARD RECIPIENT

TOOLS: REVIT, ILLUSTRATOR, PHOTOSHOP, INDESIGN

This project is an enhanced submission for the Phoenix 2024 ADU Competition, addressing the city’s housing crisis by providing affordable accessory dwelling units while offering homeowners opportunities for supplemental income. The project is located in Phoenix’s North Central neighborhood, where historic preservation regulations guide design decisions. Compliance includes both standard ADU regulations and additional historic preservation requirements, such as obtaining a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) and Certificate of No Effect (CNE).

The design integrates the Victorian character of the existing building with contemporary architectural strategies to create a fluid circulation system and maintain detailed exterior ornamentation. Influences from both Victorian and “feminine” architectural principles inform spatial layout, circulation, and transitions between private and public areas. The project follows the preservation philosophy of:

Identify, retain, preserve existing elements

Protect and maintain the historic fabric

Repair, replace, and design for missing historic features

This approach ensures that the ADU respects the historic context while providing functional, livable spaces for modern use.

*All graphics and drawings in this project are done individually by the author

A. STRUCTURAL FRAMING COLUMNS 2” x 4” @ 16” O.C.

B. LOAD BEARING STRUCTURAL COLUMNS 2” x 6” @ 16” O.C.

C. 2” x 4” BASE PLATE AND DOUBLE TOP PLATE

D. 4” x 6” HEADERS ON TOP OF WINDOW AND DOORS ON 6” THICK WALLS

E. 6” x 6” HEADERS ON TOP OF WINDOWS AND DOORS ON LOAD BEARING WALLS

F. STRUCTURAL BEAMS ARE 2” x 6” GLULAM BEAMS (GLB) @ 24” O.C.

G. PLYWOOD SHEATHING ON TOP OF ROOF TRUSSES

H. LOAD BEARING WALLS HELP TRANSFER LOAD TO FOUNDATION

I. SOUTHERN YELLOW PINE WOOD USED AS MATERIAL FOR FRAMING

J. BATT INSULATION LOCATED IN INTERIOR WALL FRAMING, SPRAY FOAM INSULATION ON EXTERIOR WALL FRAMING AND ROOF FRAMING

K. BLOCKING WITH 2” x 4” WOOD PLANKS ON BRACING WALLS AND UNDER WINDOWS

L. DIAGONAL BRACING LOCATED ON WEST EXTERIOR WALL

M. RAFTER TIES (HURRICANE TIES) USED ON TRUSSES TO CONNECT TO TOP PLATE

N. FOUNDATION ANCHORS CONNECTING TO WALL FRAMING (ANCHOR BOLTS, HOLD-DOWNS, POST BASES)

O. FOUNDATION TIES TO STRUCTURAL/LOAD BEARING WALLS (JOIST HANGERS)

P. TAIL JOISTS LOCATED ON JOISTS SUPPORTING THE PITCHED CEILING

Q. 2—2” x 4” POSTS ON ENDS OF FRAMING WALLS USING 2” x 4” STUDS AND 2—2” x 6” POSTS ON ENDS OF LOAD BEARING FRAMING WALLS

R. TRUSS TYPE 1 SCISSOR TRUSS SPANS 14’ - 9 1/8” WITH A HEIGHT OF 4’ - 4”, THE VERTICAL AND DIAGONAL WEBS ARE 2”x4” (18 TOTAL)

S. TRUSS TYPE 2 SIMPLE FINK TRUSS SPANS 18’ - 8” WITH A HEIGHT OF 3’ - 10” (2 TOTAL)

T. TRUSS TYPE 3 SIMPLE FINK TRUSS SPANS OF 12’ - 8” WITH A HEIGHT OF 3’ - 1” (7 TOTAL)

U. TRUSS TYPE 4 SIMPLE FINK TRUSS SPANS 7’ - 6” WITH A HEIGHT OF 2’ - 3” (2 TOTAL)

V. TRUSS TOP AND BOTTOM CHORDS ARE 2” x 6”

W. TRUSS VERTICAL AND DIAGONAL WEBS ARE 2” x 4”

A. SLOPES OF THE ROOF VARY BETWEEN 6”/12”, 5”/12”, AND 1”/12”

B. SOLAR PANELS ARE LOCATED ON THE NORTHEAST SECTION OF THE ADU ON TOP OF THE MAIN BEDROOM

C. THERE ARE 16 TOTAL SOLAR PANELS EACH WITH DIMENSIONS OF 30” x 60”AND A DEPTH OF 4”

D. SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION ON MANUFACTURER”S

INSTRUCTIONS

E. VENTIALATION AND HVAC ARE LOCATED ON THE INTERIOR LOADING BEARING WALL

F. CORRUGATED METAL ROOF PANELING FOR THE ENTIRE, INSTALLATION ON MANUFACTURER”S

INSTRUCTIONS

G. CORRUGATED METAL ROOFING CAN HAVE TEXTURE PRINTED ON TO RESEMBLE ROOFING MATERIAL OF EXISTING HOUSE

FRAMING PLAN

A. STRUCTURAL FRAMING COLUMNS 2” x 4” @ 16” O.C.

B. LOAD BEARING STRUCTURAL COLUMNS 2” x 6” @ 16” O.C.

C. 2” x 4” BASE PLATE AND DOUBLE TOP PLATE

D. 4” x 6” HEADERS ON TOP OF WINDOW AND DOORS OF NON-LOAD BEARING WALLS

E. 6” x 6” HEADERS ON TOP OF WINDOWS AND DOORS OF LOAD BEARING WALLS

F. STRUCTURAL BEAMS ARE 2” x 6” GLULAM BEAMS (GLB) @ 24” O.C.

G. PLYWOOD SHEATHING ON TOP OF ROOF TRUSSES

H. LOAD BEARING WALLS HELP TRANSFER LOAD TO FOUNDATION

I. SOUTHERN YELLOW PINE WOOD USED AS MATERIAL FOR FRAMING

J. BATT INSULATION LOCATED IN INTERIOR WALL FRAMING, SPRAY FOAM INSULATION ON EXTERIOR WALL FRAMING AND ROOF FRAMING

K. BLOCKING WITH 2” x 4” WOOD PLANKS ON BRACING WALLS AND UNDER WINDOWS

L. DIAGONAL BRACING LOCATED ON WEST EXTERIOR WALL

M. RAFTER TIES (HURRICANE TIES) USED ON TRUSSES TO CONNECT TO TOP PLATE

N. FOUNDATION ANCHORS CONNECTING TO WALL FRAMING (ANCHOR BOLTS, HOLD-DOWNS, POST BASES)

O. FOUNDATION TIES TO STRUCTURAL/LOAD BEARING WALLS (JOIST

HANGERS)

P. TAIL JOISTS LOCATED ON JOISTS SUPPORTING THE PITCHED CEILING

Q. 2—2” x 4” POSTS ON ENDS OF FRAMING WALLS USING 2” x 4” STUDS AND 2—2” x 6” POSTS ON ENDS OF LOAD BEARING FRAMING WALLS

R. FOR THE STUDY ROOM THE NORTHWEST, WEST, SOUTHWEST, & SOUTH WALLS ARE ALL PREFABRICATED ALUMINMUM AND GLASS STRUCTURE SYSTEM PLACED ON SITE, SEE MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS FOR DETAILS

GRAFF REVIVAL PAVILION

806 W JEFFERSON ST, PHOENIX, AZ 85007

UNDERGRAD STUDIO ARC 301: JUNKSPACE

FALL 2023 3TH YEAR STUDIO

PROFESSOR: QUIARA CAUIGAT

PARTNER: OLIVIA WEBB

TOOLS: RHINO, ILLUSTRATOR, PHOTOSHOP, INDESIGN

Inspired by Rem Koolhaas’s idea of “junkspace”, the leftover urban environments shaped by consumerism and modernization, this project investigates the transformation of underutilized urban areas in Downtown Phoenix. Through research, I defined junkspace as the built environment resulting from a transactional relationship between communities and corporations, where consumer wants dominate over genuine needs.

This project aims to revive a neglected site by creating spaces that combine commerce, community, and creativity, offering opportunities for engagement, self-expression, and social cohesion. It is all tied together with different forms of the arts, physical, visual, and literary.

*All graphics and drawings in this project are done individually by the author

The building integrates four primary functions:

Residential: Located above the main structure, providing private and flexible living spaces.

Food Market: Ground-level market offering diverse food options and connecting directly to a community garden, promoting urban agriculture and healthy living.

Library: A welcoming space for education, computer access, and social interaction, with a second-floor bridge connecting to a café and music center.

Arts & Cultural Spaces: Areas for literary, musical, and visual arts, including walls designated for community graffiti, fostering creative expression and preserving local culture.

This arrangement encourages self-sustaining community activity, integrating housing, commerce, and arts while maintaining safety, privacy, and social engagement.

This portfolio demonstrates my approach to architecture: research-driven, contextually aware, and focused on creating meaningful experiences for communities. Across these projects, I have developed skills in material exploration, spatial organization, programmatic hierarchy, and visual communication. My process emphasizes iteration, collaboration, and critical thinking, ensuring that design decisions are both conceptually rigorous and practically responsive. I aim to carry these skills into professional practice, contributing to projects that engage communities, respond to social and environmental contexts, and challenge the boundaries of architectural design.