"I love your friendly and welcoming atmosphere and beautiful scenery."

Since joining CU Denver as an assistant professor in 2022, José Ibarra has been redefining architecture’s role in advancing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI). 

Originally from Venezuela, Ibarra’s award-winning work spans teaching, research, and creative projects, all focused on making architecture more inclusive and responsive to social and environmental challenges. 

Ibarra’s concept of "geoempathy" explores cross-species design and environmental justice. His courses emphasize diverse perspectives, with projects ranging from building water-purifying pavilions to studying Andean ecologies. 

His graduate course, Outside In: Social Context of Design, covers issues like disability, race, homelessness, and climate crisis, prompting students to consider architecture’s social impact. 

As chair of the lecture series committee, Ibarra brings a broad range of voices in architecture and design to CU Denver, exposing students to inclusive perspectives. He also co-leads Latinx Coalition Chats, a symposium funded by the Graham Foundation, which will bring Latinx designers and scholars together to discuss identity, solidarity, and architecture’s role in diverse communities. 

Supported by CU Denver's College of Architecture and Planning, Ibarra’s work reflects the university’s commitment to developing programs and curricula that make architecture more inclusive and welcoming for everyone.