We were lucky to catch up with Carolina recently and have shared our conversation below.

Carolina, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

I think success is about learning what’s a “yes” and what’s a “no” as you move toward what you love to do. It’s not just about achievements — it’s about recognizing the experiences, people, and paths that truly align with you, and letting go of what doesn’t. Along the way, you’ll face both wins and setbacks, but each one teaches you something about who you are and what brings you peace.

My path hasn’t been a straight line. I’ve had to navigate unfamiliar places, switch roles, and take unexpected turns along the way. Each step — even the unconventional ones — helped me grow and stay open to change. That’s what taught me that success is less about having everything figured out, and more about being willing to take the next step, in a way that feels true to you.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Carolina Larrahona, an Argentinian architect currently living in Los Angeles. After finishing my degree in Córdoba, Argentina, I joined a cultural exchange program that brought me to the U.S. — not to work in a studio, but as a babysitter. That experience changed my life. It wasn’t directly related to architecture, but it helped me save up to pursue a long-time dream: studying a master’s degree in Europe. More importantly, it taught me how to adapt quickly, navigate a new culture and language, and rely on myself in unfamiliar situations. Those lessons still shape how I work and lead today.

In Spain, I specialized in digital design and coordination, focusing on how architecture, technology, and sustainability can come together in smarter ways. Now, from Los Angeles, I work on large-scale infrastructure projects — mostly data centers — for clients in the tech and telecommunications sectors. These are critical buildings that support the technology we use every day — cloud storage, artificial intelligence, social media, and more. My job is all about making these spaces more efficient, more sustainable, and easier to build and manage across teams and timelines.

One project I’m especially proud of is a sustainably certified data center campus — a great example of how design and performance can align with environmental goals.
What makes my work different is the way I can bridge cultures, tools, and goals. I’ve worked across three countries and countless time zones, and I’ve learned how to bring structure to complexity while also staying grounded in values like collaboration, transparency, and environmental responsibility.

I’m proud of the path I’ve taken, especially because it hasn’t always been easy or obvious. I hope that by sharing my story, I can show others (especially women and Latinx professionals in architecture and tech) that it’s okay to take a different route, trust your instincts, and keep building toward what feels meaningful.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One story that really reflects my resilience goes back to my university years in Argentina. I was studying architecture while working almost full-time — in retail shops, call centers, handing out flyers, restaurants — whatever I could do to support myself. My first job related to the field was actually in an engineering firm, not even in architecture. At the same time, I saw classmates with amazing renderings, polished presentations, semesters abroad… and I often felt like I was falling behind just because I didn’t have the same time or resources.

It took me a while to understand that comparing myself to others wasn’t helping. We all come from different realities, and mine had its own value. What really moved me forward was focusing on my path and trusting that all that effort would pay off, even if it took longer.

Eventually, I paused my architecture career to work as a nanny while learning English and saving for a Master’s degree. Some people reach their goals right away. Others, like me, take a different route — and some may never get there. But every step I took, even the unconventional ones, kept me moving forward.

Looking back, every time I chose to keep going, even when things didn’t look ideal on paper, I was building the kind of resilience that’s helped me get to where I am today.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

One of the most valuable resources I wish I had recognized earlier wasn’t a tool or a website — it was the habit of documenting everything I created. When you’re deep in the creative process, saving client feedback, photos of your work, or kind messages from mentors may not seem urgent, but those things become powerful tools later. Did a professor praise your work? Ask them to put it in writing. Did a client send you a proud message about a project? Save it. Take photos. These small habits build the foundation for portfolios, applications, and future visibility.

The last thing I wish I had done sooner? Go to conferences. Apply to competitions. I held back for years thinking I wasn’t ready, that my ideas weren’t “big” or “good enough.” I wish someone had told me to just go for it. I’m only starting to put myself out there now, and honestly… it’s never too late.

When I finally sat down to build my portfolio, I realized I had done way more than I could actually show, simply because I didn’t save enough along the way. So if you’re just starting out: save your stuff. Even the small things. One day, it’ll speak for you.

Contact Info:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarrahona/