As a young designer, I prioritize building environments that not only function effectively but also connect with people on a deeper level. I believe that buildings should tell a story, evoke emotions, and enhance the human experience. My work frequently includes natural features, innovative material utilization, and sustainable processes, demonstrating her devotion to environmental responsibility.
Outside of my professional life, I enjoy traveling. I see the world through a lens, documenting moments of beauty, architecture, and cultural diversity as I travel. Traveling is a creative outlet for me to discover new perspectives and inspire my architectural concepts.
- 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 specification s
- Ensure that all designs comply with relevant building codes and regulations
- 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
- Revitalize existing spaces by creatively designing and renovating, addressing specific client needs, and navigating unique challenges associated with current conditions
AWAR DS
Aug 2017 - May 2021
Aug 2018 - May 2021
Aug 2018
Aug 2017
Global Laureate Scholarship (based on academic)
National Society of Collegiate Scholars (Honor Society)
Concrete Mansory Assn. Fund Scholarship
Dean’s List Fall 2017
Revit
Rhino 3D
RE FE RENCE
Microsoft Office Suite
Adobe Creative Suite
George K George
GKG - Principal 917-721-6703
george@gkgarch com
Enscape AutoCAD
Midjourney
Lumion
Frank Ordia UNL - Faculty Member 972-998-3476 fe.ordia@gmail.com
SOFT WARE
CONTENTS
Chocolate Factory (Fall 2023)
Sustainable Building (Fall 2022)
Playing with Architecture (Spring 2021)
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE PROJECT
SCHOOL PROJECTS 04 03 02 01 05 Sanctuary of Healing (Spring 2024)
230 Second Ave - Commercial (2022-2024)
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 wellbeing of individuals who find themselves in and around Downtown Omaha. Using a pre-existing building found in Gene Leahy Mall, this adaptive re-use project introduces a variety of sensory therapies, including but not limited to touch therapy, aroma therapy, and hearing therapy, as well as vast amounts of biophilia and natural elements. Altogether, these components work to 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, healthy diet options, fresh air, sensory therapy, and meditation.
To address the needs the building is divided into four main spaces: passive (lounge and destress), productive (calm environment for work or study), active (dining and experiences), and interactive (sensory activities promoting socialization and play).
At the Sanctuary of Healing, every space is designed to nurture, every corner whispers comfort, and every detail speaks of the intention to restore.
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 taking in consideration such as raised areas and the positioning of green wall. Aditionally, 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 an 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. This area, which combines open atrium spaces, semi-private galleries, learning rooms, and private guest hotel rooms above, displays the steps involved in making the chocolates Ragusa and Torino by Camille Bloch. This well-considered layout promotes discovery and admiration of the 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 acclimated to the Swiss climate. 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 Cacao trees’ beauty from Amazon rainforests. The greenhouse also features Hazelnut trees and Vanilla Bean. 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; it represents the “outer shell” of the project. Placed along the Grande Rue, 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 between semi-public, public, and private areas, integrating open atriums, galleries, classrooms, and guest rooms seamlessly. 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 is looking for a more sustainable world. By making wise decisions, designers can minimize their impact on the environment, 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 are reducing carbon emissions, energy use, and waste. They preserve water, give priority to safer materials, and limit our exposure to toxins. Also, they purify the air and reduce exposure to contaminants.
In addition to all the advantages, they can significantly improve the quality of life of the local community. Green buildings enhance interior air quality, which is known to have a significant effect on respiratory diseases, depression, and stress. According to USGBC’s research, green buildings 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 changing their minds about the places they wish to live. For this reason, the demand for green buildings have 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 over power sources that use fossil fuels.
Green Spaces & Biophilic engage with and integrate nature to help promote physical healing and improve health. Designed to establish and improve its physical and social settings, as well as to expand community resources that allow people to support one another in their daily lives.
GREEN SPACES
Site Analysis
The site is broken down into seven programs and each program will require 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 year round.
Sector Goal
The atmosphere of our sector will feel 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 local 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 was placed on the underground
Separate
Offset to provide a garden space in the middle of the building.
Elevate
A portion of the program was elevated to provide more private spaces. Also to allow more open spaces throughout the building.
SOUTHSIDERS
Form Manipulation - Final Massing
The form of the buildign 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 space. However, there is a strong lack of creative initiation from an architectural standpoint.
Through the Looking Glass, the library provides the fourth dimension of experience 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 in the old. In order to do this, we will create an environment that promotes creative exploration and creative imagination. The library with a creative lens brings about 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 Entrace
Bathroom in the Children Area Bathroom in the Multifunctional Area
Room Entrace Bathroom in the Children Area Bathroom in the Multifunctional Area
Entrance to the Library
Entrance to the Bathrooms
Entrance to the Library Entrance to the Bathrooms
Southeast Section
Interior Entry to Multifunctional Room - Perspective
Interior Entry - Perspective
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 the abundance of natural light streaming through its sizable south-facing windows. This thoughtful layout not only creates a refreshing and inviting atmosphere but also 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.
