Chioco Design is an award-winning architecture and interior design firm formed in 2005 by Principal, Jamie Chioco.
Our firm’s work ranges from the intimate, a private residence, to the massive, an industrial adaptive reuse project, and everything in between. We have designed restaurants, bars, retail stores, multi-use facilities and public spaces. By having a diverse client base with various project types we believe this to be an effective way to experience and contribute to a community.
We strive to exceed our clients’ expectations in process and result, through active listening, collaboration and innovative design. We believe in a contextual design that fits into its built, natural and cultural environment. Our projects are functional, engaging and honest.
All this is to say, we believe elevated design elevates lives, for the individual and the collective.
Jamie Chioco
Principal
Jamie Chioco is the founding principal at Chioco Design LLC with over twenty-five years designing and managing commercial, residential and institutional projects.
He graduated from the University of Oklahoma School of Architecture with top honors in 1995. As a longtime resident of Austin, Jamie is deeply connected to and concerned with the city’s quality of growth and design. Jamie is integrally involved in every aspect of the design process from conception to completion and is motivated by his clients’ goals and opportunity to learn something new, adding to the diversity of his firm’s experiences.
Originally from South Louisiana, Christy moved to Austin in 2009. She holds a Masters in Architecture from Louisiana State University and a Masters in Architectural History from the University of Texas.
Her academic research has given her opportunities all over the world, from studying in Brazil to teaching at Lovely Professional University in Punjab, India. Christy joined Chioco Design in 2018 and brings a broad range of experience in commercial projects, from larger educational and mixed-use buildings that emphasize program and efficiency, to more elevated design projects that focus on crafted details and the creation of dynamic spaces. Christy was the 2023 president of the Austin chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
Vanessa joined Chioco Design in 2010 after receiving both a Bachelor in Anthropology and Masters in Architecture from the University of Texas.
Born and raised in South Texas, with parents from Ireland and Mexico, Vanessa was exposed to the art and architecture of diverse cultures from an early age. Vanessa is especially drawn to reflecting the client’s individuality through the interior finishes, materials and textures that create warmth and define a sense of home.
Ben holds a Bachelors of Architecture from The University of Texas and joined Chioco Design in 2011 after working for Elemental in Santiago, Chile and Olson Kundig in Seattle, Washington.
At Chioco Design Ben has worked on projects in both residential and commercial spaces, as well as, repurposing industrial buildings into mixed use developments and parks. He views architecture as a means to improve a community’s present and future and is an advocate for integral landscape design in all projects. He is both a registered architect and interior designer in the state of Texas.
Mikel received a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oklahoma in 2001 and joined Chioco Design in 2014
She has international experience working at firms in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, and London, including Zaha Hadid Architects. While in New York, Mikel attended Parsons at The New School for Design where she studied and worked in the fashion industry. This experience provided her with a deeper knowledge of materiality and processes of design at any scale. In addition to residential and commercial work, Mikel's experience includes museums and educational facilities.
Mike joined Chioco Design in 2016 after moving from New York City, where he pursued his intersecting interests in architecture, landscape, and urbanism.
He studied architecture at the University of Florida and went on to graduate with a Masters in Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin. Mike has led development and production of numerous award-winning submissions for international design competitions and was on the team that designed the the Xiamen China Concert Hall during his tenure at Ennead Architects. Mike’s work is informed, in part, by a lifelong interest in drawing and is inspired by the potential of architecture to express values and positively impact people’s daily lives.
Tim studied architecture at the University of Florida and moved to Austin in 2014. He then received a Master of Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin in 2019.
At UT, Tim focused on the intersection between the natural and built environment. He gained experience working on residential and mixed-use projects in Austin and New York City before joining the team at Chioco Design in 2021.
Diego, a native Austinite, received his Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Architecture from Tulane University in New Orleans. He joined Chioco Design in 2021 after returning to his hometown.
In New Orleans, Diego’s interest began in architectural fabrication. Participating in design-build projects and studios at Tulane, he acquired skills in carpentry, metal work, and advanced fabrication techniques. At design-build firms in New Orleans, he contributed to numerous civic, residential, and hospitality projects in Southern Louisiana.
Whitney grew up in Houston, TX and earned a BA in Environmental Studies from Southwestern University.
She became interested in architecture through her work as a natural builder where she recognized the potential impact of materials that respond to the environment and their ability to create place. She earned her Masters of Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin and has practiced at firms in Copenhagen, Denmark and Austin, TX. She joined Chioco Design in 2022.
May is a native Austinite with a degree in International Studies from the University of North Texas.
She has also lived in South Korea, Hong Kong, and Honolulu. May has experience across the realm of production with a background in marketing, graphic design, and project management.
Mauricio received both his Bachelor's and Master of Architecture from the University of Texas at San Antonio before joining Chioco Design in 2022.
Growing up in both Mexico and South Texas, Mauricio was exposed to a multicultural context from a young age, influencing his architectural thinking later on in his career. During his time at UTSA, Mauricio received multiple academic design awards including a Texas Society of Architects Award for a student design competition.
Eric is from Vermont and moved to Austin in 2016 to pursue his Masters in Architecture at the University of Texas at Austin.
At UT, Eric focused on how architecture responds and interacts with the urban context where it’s built. Prior to working at Chioco, Eric gained experience working on commercial projects at a variety of scales, ranging from small renovations to large scale master planning.
Fatima earned her Bachelor of Science in Radio-Television-Film and her Master of Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin.
Born in Mexico and growing up in Texas developed a strong multicultural lens that influences her design perspective. She is interested in projects that work toward environmental resiliency and contribute to strengthening community.
Olivia received a Master of Architecture from the University of Illinois at Chicago and joined Chioco Design in 2023.
With over 20 places to call home, she has witnessed firsthand how the built world affects our wellbeing and influences how we interact with others. She has worked at a variety of firms committed to pushing the boundaries of the field in Chicago, Sydney, and Austin, including Gensler, HOK, and renowned historic preservation firm Vinci Hamp Architects.
Stephanie earned her Bachelor of Environmental Design from Texas A&M and her Master of Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin.
Both in her academic research and practice, Stephanie has explored the intersection of local urban history, community-centered participatory design, and advocacy architecture. She has gained experience working on multi- and single- family residential, adaptive reuse, and commercial projects in Austin, Milwaukee, and Helsinki.
Joel holds a Bachelor in Environmental Design from the University of Missouri and a Master of Architecture with a specialization in Urban Architecture and Design from the University of Oregon.
With a background in several trades, Joel holds a strong affinity for material and tectonic exploration. Prior to joining Chioco in 2024, Joel gained experience working on a variety of highly technical projects in civic, commercial, workplace, and mixed-use fields. During his tenure at ZGF, Joel worked on the Portland International Airport Terminal Redevelopment; one of the largest utilizations of mass timber construction in the US.
Abby, a native Austinite, earned her bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Arkansas before returning to Austin and joining Chioco Design in 2024.
During her studies in Italy and Finland, she discovered a passion for the intersection of art, architecture, and the human experience. With experience in hospitality and multi-family housing projects across Texas and Turks and Caicos, she is dedicated to creating spaces that inspire awe while fostering holistic well-being.
Gabriel grew up in a Brazilian-American home in Houston Texas and joined Chioco Design in 2024 after receiving his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin.
He was introduced to the intersection of design and community in his work with the Houston regional effort for Burning Man where he experienced first hand how art and design can bring people together. Before joining Chioco
Design, he gained experience working on commercial mixed-use projects across Texas that ultimately shaped his passion for communal well-being and accessibility.
Laura joined Chioco Design in 2024 after receiving her Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin.
Her background in music led her to explore design through the lens of musical performance and expression. Laura is dedicated to crafting spaces that foster human growth and happiness, a parallel of how music influences thoughts and emotions. Outside of her architectural pursuits, she enjoys powerlifting, reading, and spending time with her dog.
