Arden Lucas
5th Year Architecture Student at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA
My name is Arden Lucas and I was born and raised in Eugene, Oregon but have strong roots in California, where most of my extended family lives. Unlike many architecture students, I never thought about architecture as a major or career until I realized that my detail-oriented tendencies, my love of math, and my interest in the arts and design could all blend together in this discipline. Ever since then, I have fallen more in love with architecture because of the positive change that can be instilled within it, whether that be for the community we are designing for and/or the surrounding environment. Now that I have been an architecture student for almost five years, I realize the immense power that the built environment has. I am excited to be a part of creating environments where people can thrive.
Last year I studied abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark which was a life-changing experience that has further opened my eyes to the positive impact that architecture and the built environment can have on a city and its people. The way Danish design focuses on sustainability and the health and wellness of their citizens has deeply inspired me, I know it will forever impact my design process for the better.
I am currently participating in my fifth and final year as an architecture student at Cal Poly, in San Luis Obispo, working on my thesis project. My focus is on expanding the fundamental concepts and understanding of autism-friendly design. Through a lense of the importance of multisensory design, I want to explore how we can better design learning and community spaces to support this user group who deeply deserves our time and attention.