Karin has dedicated her career to community building, sustainability, and advocacy by embracing adaptive reuse as a powerful means to revitalize our cities. For over 25 years, Karin has focused on adaptive reuse projects and advocates for policy reform to make the repurposing of older buildings more financially viable and cornerstones of their communities.
In 2009, she founded Omgivning Architecture and Interiors, a firm known for uncovering the potential in underutilized buildings. Omgivning transforms these buildings to a wide range of new uses—including multifamily housing, hotels, restaurants, event venues, and workspaces—from a small cafe up to a two-million-square-foot historic high-rise.
A leader in advocacy, Karin combines hands-on experience with a practical yet visionary approach. Her ability to see all perspectives has helped shape local planning policies and drive reforms in building and fire codes for more than two decades and has led her to be a State and National thought leader.
Karin holds a MArch from UCLA.
Courses
Office to Home Conversions: Adaptive Reuse in Suburban Markets
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 | 3-4pm ET
As remote work transforms the commercial real estate landscape, architects face unprecedented opportunities to address the affordable housing crisis through innovative adaptive reuse strategies. This course explores how underutilized office buildings in suburban markets can be transformed into vibrant residential communities. Our expert panel will examine current office vacancy trends and their implications for conversion opportunities, while diving deep into practical design strategies that navigate stringent zoning challenges and building code adaptations essential for structural health and safety. Participants will discover the complexities of adapting essential infrastructure, particularly the requirements for updating mechanical, electric, and plumbing systems to ensure adequate sanitation. These design challenges also include addressing issues such as the potential need for seismic retrofits in certain areas and determining the usability of existing structures, such as existing circulation and floor slabs. Beyond addressing housing shortages, these conversions offer substantial environmental benefits by extending building lifecycles and reducing construction waste. Join us to explore cutting-edge approaches that transform vacant commercial spaces into thriving residential neighborhoods while supporting sustainable development goals.