About us
THE OWNER
With over ten years of experience in the industry, we have successfully tackled projects of varying sizes and complexity.
A bilingual, Latina-owned architecture firm designing environments for wellness and belonging, for the people who inhabit them and the communities they serve.
At Rooted Architecture Studio, we design environments that support wellness, harmony, and belonging. We approach every project through human-centered design, sensory awareness, and integration with nature, spanning mental health practices and medical offices to movement studios and wellness-focused homes.
Our commitment to authentic, client-centric designs extends to creating healing architecture that promotes health and wellness, while integrating environmentally conscious practices to harmonize spaces with nature, acknowledging the profound connection between humans and the natural world. While also being committed to nurture a deeper understanding of the design and construction process.
Personalized approach
Every project begins with truly listening. We take time to understand each client's story, goals, and community, so that every environment we design reflects the people who inhabit it.
That's why we take a personalized approach to every project, working closely with our clients to understand their needs and wants and creating spaces that are more than just aesthetically pleasing but have meaning and purpose.
Founder + Principal Architect
Katherine Serrano Sosa
Environments designed
Katherine is an Award-winning Latina architect, licensed in NY & NJ, and the visionary founder of Rooted Architecture Studio PLLC. With a steadfast commitment to designing client-centered spaces, Katherine brings a deep passion for inclusive and wellness-focused design, tailored to her clients' unique stories and needs.
Katherine was born in El Salvador and immigrated to the United States at age seven; she has overcome numerous challenges while pursuing her dream of becoming an architect. Her family’s past work in construction inspired Katherine's curiosity, and by age 11, she had set her sights on architecture. Graduating in the top three of her high school class, she earned a full scholarship to the Macaulay Honors College at City College of New York. In June 2016, Katherine graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s in Architecture.
By 2019, she achieved licensure as an architect, a notable accomplishment given that she is among the mere 2.5% of Latina licensed architects in the U.S. This milestone fuels her dedication to mentoring and empowering other Latinas in the field through organizations like Arquitina.
In July 2021, Katherine launched Rooted Architecture Studio, with a mission to design environments for wellness and belonging. She has spoken at Harvard and Princeton University, at the AIA National Convention and in other venues on topics like starting her own firm, sensory-friendly architecture, and inclusive accessible design.
Katherine is involved in several professional and community organizations. She is an Advisory Board Member for Girls Inc Long Island, and participates in AIA Long Island’s Women in Architecture Committee. Katherine also dedicates time to educating the public on architecture through social media, webinars, and live events, while offering merchandise that celebrates architecture and her Latina heritage.
Rooted Architecture Studio’s and Katherine’s reputation continues to grow, marked by the following accolades thus far: Top 3 in Best Architects on Long Island in 2024, Top 50 Women in Business by Long Island Business News in 2024, AIA NYS Young Architect Award recipient in 2025, Small Businesswoman of the Year by the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2025, Rising Star in Architecture by Long Island Business News in 2025 and 40 under 40 recipient by Long Island Business News in 2025.
our team
Architectural Staff/Permit Coordinator
Julia Riggs
Julia earned her Bachelor of Architecture degree from the New York Institute of Technology in 2023. She began her career at an expeditor’s office, where she developed a strong foundation in the pre-design process, specializing in zoning analysis, feasibility studies, and navigating municipal approvals. This early experience gave her a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory framework that shapes thoughtful and successful projects.
Julia joined Rooted Architecture Studio in January 2026, drawn to the firm’s commitment to wellness-driven and inclusive design. She is passionate about creating spaces that are not only functional and beautiful, but that also promote well-being, accessibility, and a meaningful connection to the people who use them. At Rooted, she is excited to contribute to projects that prioritize community, sustainability, and intentional design.
Architectural Staff/BIM Coordinator
Katie Vasquez Alvarez
Katie Vásquez, is a licensed Colombian architect with seven years of professional experience and a strong focus on construction documentation and BIM coordination. She has been working with U.S.-based clients for the past five years, contributing to luxury residential, commercial, retail, and warehouse projects.
At Rooted, she develops coordinated Revit models and detailed construction documents that support efficient project delivery. Katie is passionate about BIM, collaboration, and delivering high-quality, buildable design solutions. Katie enjoys being part of a collaborative team environment and contributing to projects that create thoughtful and well-executed spaces.
Fractional Executive Assistant/Operations Manager
Karen Montes de Oca
Karen is a dynamic Operations Manager with over a decade of experience leading cross-functional teams, optimizing workflows, and building efficient systems that support business growth. Born and raised in Mexico City, she began her career in 2010 working as a liaison between the Mexican and U.S. federal governments, an experience that shaped her strengths in coordination, communication, and high-level relationship management.
Karen specializes in operational leadership within service-based organizations, where she oversees team performance, implements streamlined processes, and drives accountability across departments. She is known for creating structure in fast-paced environments, improving internal systems, and aligning operations with long-term strategic goals. With a strong ability to balance big-picture vision and detailed execution, Karen brings clarity, organization, and collaborative energy to every project.
OUR BLOG
An Insight to Katherine’s Thoughts
