As a designer, I focus on creating functional and practical environments that meet user’s needs while maintaining an aesthetic appeal. I find joy in the process of working on construction documents and paying close attention to detail to ensure accuracy and precision. My work is rooted in meticulous planning and execution. I enjoy collaborating with different teams to ensure every element of a project is brought into alignment.
Outside of my professional life, I enjoy traveling. I capture moments of beauty, architecture, and cultural diversity as I explore the world. For me, traveling is my creative outlet, especially as it broadens my perspective and sparks inspiration for my architectural work.
Karolayn Chavez
(305) 301-5856 karolayn.chavez@gmail.com
E DUC ATIO N
2017 - 2021
Bachelor of Design in Architecture
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
2022 - 2024
Master in Architecture
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
D E SIGN
E X P E RI EN C E
2024 - Present Emsick Architects - Designer
2021 - 2024
Minor
Entrepreneurship
SOFTWARE
- Develop and draft construction sets independently for small/medium-scale projects, and collaborate under the guidance of the Senior Project Architect.
- Coordinate architectural plans with structural, MEP, and specialty consultants to ensure design integration.
- Manage and develop multiple architectural designs across various project phases.
- Analyze Design Intent Documents and implement design concepts into detailed Construction Documents, ensuring alignment with project goals and design standards.
- Create detailed construction plans and technical drawings for new building projects.
- Pick-up and implement redlines to ensure accuracy and compliance with project standards.
GKG Architecture - Project Designer
- Collaborate seamlessly with clients, contractors, and engineers throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring effective communication, incorporating valuable input, and addressing challenges to deliver cohesive and successful design solutions.
- Ensure effective space utilization while keeping aesthetic and ergonomic factors in mind.
- Create comprehensive construction documents, including detailed drawings and specifications.
- Select interior finishes and lighting fixtures to support overall design intent and client vision.
- Design and manage projects across diverse sectors, including residential, commercial, and healthcare.
- Participate in all facets of the design and construction lifecycle, from conceptualization and schematic design through construction
- Respond to RFIs and review contractor submittals to maintain design integrity and project timeline.
Revit Rhino 3D
REFERENCE
BlueBeam AutoCAD
Mike Emsick, AIA & NCARB
Emsick Architects - Principal Architect 402-980-2536 michael@emsick.com
Chocolate Factory Sustainable Building Playing with Architecture
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE PROJECT
230 Second Ave - Commercial
SCHOOL PROJECTS 04 03 02 01 05 Sanctuary of Healing (Fall 2023) (Fall 2022) (Spring 2021) (2022-2024) (Spring 2024)
Sanctuary of healing
Angela Vu, Josh Lorenzen & Karolayn Chavez Jeremy Reding - 2nd Year Master
Sanctuary of Healing utilizes research-based design to introduce programs and principles that work together to increase the mental and physical well-being of individuals who find themselves in and around Downtown Omaha. Using a pre-existing building found in Gene Leahy Mall, this adaptive reuse project introduces a variety of sensory therapies, including but not limited to touch therapy, aroma therapy hearing therapy and vast amounts of biophilia, and natural elements. Altogether, these components create an environment aimed at addressing these rapidly developing well-being deficiencies and reversing the trend.
Our research showed that good design can significantly reduce stress levels through various elements such as biophilia, fresh air, sensory therapy, and meditation.
The building is divided into four main spaces: passive (lounge and destress), productive (calm environment to work or study), active (dining and experiences), and interactive (sensory activities promoting socialization and play).
At the Sanctuary of Healing, every space is purposefully designed to nurture, every corner whispers comfort, and every detail speaks of the intention to heal.
Section
Elevation Diagram
Exterior Building
CHOCOLATE FACTORY
Karolayn Chavez & Alyssa Villerreal
Nicole McIntosh & Jonathan Louie - 2nd Year Master
The design began with exploration, reaching for images in midjourney that would shape the vision of the design features of a totem. Elements were considered such as raised areas and the positioning of green walls. Additionally, the pipes also replicate the totem’s asymmetrical panel pattern, providing irrigation for living walls. With its harmonious blend of architectural influences, the building’s exterior resembles a Swiss Chalet nestled within an outer shell. The interior creates an immersive experience by incorporating multiple trees in addition to the chocolate-making area.
Cultivating hazelnut, cacao, and vanilla beans, a greenhouse is positioned between the outer shell and the buildings. Combining open atrium spaces, semi-private galleries, educational rooms, and private hotel accommodations above, this area illustrated the chocolate-making process behind Camille Bloch. This well-considered layout promotes the discovery and admiration of natural beauty.
For visitors arriving by car, the experience begins at the plaza in front of the building, where they can immerse in hazelnut tree growth. The plaza links the visitor center with the historic Villa, once Mr. Bloch’s residence, and property walking trails leading northeast. The building creates a dual ambiance, connected by a sloping ramp from the street to the river. The first floor follows the site’s topography, inviting exploration and an enhanced connection with surroundings.
Strategically along the Grande Rue Highway, the greenhouse maximizes sunlight exposure for plant growth while providing views of the factory, Villa, and Swiss mountainside. The design ensures a seamless transition from indoor to outdoor spaces, creating walking paths from the ground floor to hotel rooms above. Inside, visitors are immersed in the site’s rich history and the beauty of Cacao trees from the Amazon rainforests. The greenhouse also features Hazelnut trees and Vanilla Beans. This landscape offers insight into chocolate making, complemented by learning stations and benches for scenery enjoyment.
INTERACTIVE STATION
CAFE AREA
The meticulously planned greenhouse cultivates hazelnut, cacao, and vanilla bean trees, illustrating the steps in making Camille Bloch chocolates; representing the “outer shell” of the project. Located along the Grande Rue Highway, it maximizes sunlight exposure for plant growth. The irregular mullion pattern on the glass façade incorporates nature-inspired elements, letting visitors experience the rich historical backdrop and natural beauty of chocolate manufacturing through sensory immersion.
Nestled within the embrace of the greenhouse lies the “inner shell.” This architectural piece balances semi-public, public, and private areas, seamlessly integrating open atriums, galleries, classrooms, and guest rooms. Through careful planning, programming, and landscape continuity, its indoor spaces educate visitors about every step of the chocolate-making process, from planting trees to creating the final product, all while maintaining a visual connection with the exterior.
EXTERIOR VIEW
First Floor
Section A
ZONE 1
ZONE 3
ZONE 5
ZONE 4
ZONE 2
SUSTAINABLE URBANISM
Karolayn Chavez
Mark Hoistad - 1st Year Master
As the concern for climate-related challenges rises, society seeks a more sustainable world. By making wise decisions, designers can minimize their environmental impact, resulting in lower greenhouse gas emissions and more effective use of natural resources.
LEED-certified green buildings are an international answer for cities, communities, and neighborhoods. Green buildings reduce carbon emissions, energy use, and waste. They preserve water, prioritize safer materials, and limit our exposure to toxins. Also, they purify the air and reduce exposure to contaminants.
In addition to all the advantages, green buildings can significantly improve the quality of life of the local community. Green buildings enhance interior air quality, which is known to significantly affect respiratory diseases, depression, and stress.gs provide the perfect environment to help people feel happier, healthier, and more productive.
Nowadays, renting sustainable buildings is more popular than renting conventional buildings. Tenants are reconsidering their preferred living environments. For this reason, the demand for green buildings has increased. According to USGBC’s public opinion surveys, people spend nearly 90% of their time indoors. Living in environments that support health and comfort is thus a better widespread concept. The built world is no different. Demands by tenants are the top reason buildings strive to be greener.
In conclusion, making this building as environmentally friendly as possible is a decision that results in nothing but an upside for the city, community, and neighborhood.
By choosing Solar Panels, the building becomes much more environmentally friendly than power sources that use fossil fuels.
Green Spaces & Biophilic engage with and integrate nature to help promote physical healing and improve health.
Designed to improve its physical and social settings to expand community resources that allow people to support one another in their daily lives.
GREEN SPACES
Site Analysis
The site is divided into seven programs, each requiring a specific amount of energy. The residential program is the largest of the programs and will require the most amount of energy to supply 7,950 people.
Sector Goal
The atmosphere of our sector will be lively and exciting. The central road will act as a consumer highway, with unique vendors and entertainment along the way. Users could spend their entire day along this road indulging in locally grown food and socializing with their friends and family. If at any point someone needs a break from the commotion, they are free to exit to the south for instant relief.
COMMUNITY
Parking
Parking placed on the underground.
Offset
Offset to provide a garden space in the middle of the building.
Elevate
Elevate to provide more private spaces and open spaces throughout the building.
SOUTHSIDERS
Form Manipulation
The form of the building began to follow the form of the program spaces below.
Green Roof
Pool Area
Pollinator Garden
Biophilic Lounge
playing with architecture
Karolayn Chavez - Elizabeth McIntosh
David Newton - 4rd Year Studio
Libraries today continue to equip us with the means to explore through books and generalized gathering spaces. However, there is a substancial lack of creative initiation from an architectural standpoint.
The library provides the fourth dimension of experience through the Looking Glass as you enter the creative-focused space. The playful architectural and interior design elements draw people to be and think more creatively. We find it imperative to create a welcoming library that inherently advocates for community, trust, and creative thinking.
We are committed to keeping child-like imagination alive in the young and the old. In order to do this, we will create an environment that promotes creative exploration and imagination. With a creative lens, the library will create a positive workspace freely accessible to any member of society who wishes to partake while maintaining a sense of individual ownership in a collective, civic building.
Tree planting and solar exposure in considersation
1’ 3’ 10’ 20’ 30’
Craft room entrance
room entrance Restroom in the children area
Restroom in the children area Bathroom in the multifunctional area Entrance to the library
Bathroom in the multifunctional area
Entrance to the restroom
Entrance to the library Entrance to the restroom
Southeast Section
Interior Entry to Multifunctional Room - Perspective
Interior Entry - Perspective
Ground Floor
Second Floor
Third Floor
230 SECOND AVE
GKG Architecture
Originally constructed in 1923 as the Mechanics and Metals National Bank, the building, nestled at the crossroads of Second Avenue and 14th Street, bears witness to decades of history. As part of the ambitious NYEE relocation project, a transformative endeavor aimed at optimizing spatial utilization, executive offices, a generously sized Education Room, and spaces for support staff are slated for relocation to meticulously renovated areas spanning the bank’s basement, first and third floors.
On the first floor, the expansive Education Room, strategically positioned on the south side, is designed to harness abundant of natural light streaming through its sizable south-facing windows. his thoughtful layout creates a refreshing and inviting atmosphere and enhances the overall well-being of occupants. The high floor-to-floor height further contributes to the room’s aesthetic appeal, allowing for the implementation of a bespoke folding wood ceiling that opens up to captivating direct street views.
Ascending to the third floor reveals a carefully curated space housing ultra-compact executive private offices, a sophisticated conference room, and the esteemed office of the Hospital President. This floor embodies a harmonious blend of functionality and elegance, catering to the diverse needs of its occupants within a professional and refined setting.
