I am Barnabas Luke a 5th year architecture student at California Polytechnic State University.

I am passionate about making a difference in my community through architecture. My 5th year thesis project addresses the unforeseen social repercussions of the internet and the smartphone. While not inherently malicious, the internet and the smartphone are a major contributor to America’s polarization. Representatives in the government are too focused on the agendas of their political parties and news organizations are focused on remaining relevant within an online culture. This has left the majority of Americans divided and individual opinions drowned out by sheer numbers. My project empowers the masses by granting them the ability to visually alter their communities.

During my internship in Taipei with Rick Liu Associates Architects + Planners, I led a team of interns to gather site information including: geological, solar, and precipitation studies. My Chinese heritage helped me compile information and coordinate diagrams between international and Taiwanese peers. I also worked on projects in various phases at CRSA Architecture that ranged from land use permits to schematic design. My previous experiences have made me a proactive team member and a quick learner. I taught myself several Adobe and CAD programs such as Illustrator, Indesign, Photoshop, Rhino, Vectorworks, and Revit. An upbringing in fine arts has helped me visually communicate my projects.