by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Long before he graduated from Rice University in 1973, John Zona knew he would make a career out of designing buildings. His father was a building contractor so Zona grew up in the family business in New Hampshire and learned how structures are put together from the ground up, he said.
“I learned how to build things with my hands long before I learned how to do it in my mind,” said Zona.
After graduating with a degree in fine arts as well as architecture, Zona began building his portfolio by first designing institutional buildings like schools, then later branched into more unique projects like a hangar for the Goodyear blimp.
He said he’ll never forget his first solo assignment, a new palace for the ruler of Bahrain.
“I spent two years working on that project from design through completion,” said Zona. “I actually submitted two designs. One had a ring similar to the Coliseum in Rome surrounding the palace. Inside was a complete village and the roof was a dome supported by air. But his Highness selected the other design which was much more traditional.”
Zona also worked for The Haskell Company for several years and helped design the firm’s river front campus and the elevated walkway above I-95 that connects Baptist Medial Center and Nemours Hospital.
His latest project is a personal one, a completely “green” house Zona has designed and is building on 2.5 acres on the Southside near Belfort Road. It features geothermal interior climate control, a reservoir for rain water, solar collectors and a hydroponic garden. It should be totally self-contained when it comes to energy. Although the home will be connected to JEA’s grid, “I don’t think we’ll have to buy any utilities,” said Zona.
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