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Where are you from? 

Monterey, California. 

What inspired your decision to come to Environmental Design at CU Boulder? 

Since the dawn of my memory, construction and architecture have always interested me. Whether it was building with Legos or in Minecraft, the interest has been constant. So instinctively, I applied to schools with good architecture and design programs in close proximity to mountains and open space. Many factors lined up so that Environmental Design at CU Boulder was an obvious choice. 

Did you know right away that you wanted to major in sustainable planning and urban design? How/when did you know? 

Going into the intro studio classes, my mind was set on architecture. Through product design, architecture, and landscape architecture, I found there to be rules and regulations on what could or could not be built. It was in the urban planning studio where I found out that it’s the urban planners that make these decisions. My logic was: if I want to make positive change on the largest and most comprehensive scale, I need to go into planning. 

Do you have a favorite project that you’re currently working on/have worked on in the past? 

In my second-year studio class, ENVD 1140 - Fundamentals of Planning and Urban Design with Jota Samper, I began flexing the planning muscles I didn’t know I had. We designed an urban walkable neighborhood and by the end I could picture it as a real place with real people living, working, and creating memories. It was this studio where I realized truly how much goes into making a city what it is and maybe how I could fit into it all. 

What has the program taught you about yourself as you’ve taken on your educational career? 

ENVD has taught me how to think deeply about real-world problems and propose design solutions. It has taught me how to stand behind an idea confidently, while simultaneously being able to take feedback, adapt ideas, and learn from those who know more than myself. 

What would you like to do upon graduating from Environmental Design? 

After learning about earthships (location-specific homes made to be self-sufficient), I developed an intense desire to learn more about their construction and design practices and to one day implement similar systems onto a city scale. Realistically, I will be spending time after graduation exploring the world, continuing to learn, and broadening my perspective. 

What tips or advice would you give to future design students? 

For anyone thinking of becoming a design student, in any regard, I would say: if you have creativity and a desire to help others (human or non) then I’d recommend ENVD. There’s going to be difficult times with steep learning curves and feedback that will change or even dismantle your ideas but sticking with it will help you grow in many ways that extend past the classroom. Honesty, patience, and collaboration are just a few. Our world doesn’t have a shortage of issues, but with every problem is an opportunity for a solution.