This is my story
Luis Levy
Sunshine Lab
Since the first day I saw the light, once I was out of my mom’s belly, something in me knew I was special, and that would give me the power to virtuously help others.
We all know that humans are special, kind, and unique. With ways to develop their character by finding their inner self and helping others, making our place on earth better.
So, back to me. It all started when I fell in love in the 90s. Skateboarding on the west coast was on fire. It turned out that skating was not just riding a board in the street. It was ART, where the urban city was part of the canvas for all of us. Then art started to build, with my skate legends such as all of the Bones Brigade (The Powel Peralta´s group of young guns). Decks were full of drawings, wheels and engineering started to play a big roll. I was living in Panama City, Panama but since my dad had to travel a lot to all over the states, he used to bring me all of this type of gear regarding skate, bmx and surf. This last one, started to play a huge roll when a I was about to turn 15. All my uncles had beautiful places in the countryside and my family had a huge farm in Veraguas, Soná. Soná, is one of the oldest countryside towns in my country. My grandfather was from Italy and he came with all his family and settled in farms. I remember taking my skateboard and having a blast, while checking around all the architecture from these old towns. Also, this place is full of rivers and is an hour away from Santa Catalina, a place where I became a passionate soulful surfer.
Once I realized I had a good taste for life, scent of love for my surroundings, I decided to start my journey in Architecture. When we are new in our career, we think we are invincible. I had my ups and downs during my time in school and at the end of a long run, I finally graduated. After graduating I thought, “now, how I’m supposed to help, to give something back to the world?” How am I going to make this project live forever? Not just as a material particle, but coming to life as a structure forever.
Ok, all of this sounds lovely but all of us humans know that if we want to make something great, handwork, passion, love, and resilience is the key.
Finally, I was having fun with what I love. However I was feeling a bit empty inside. I started to ponder how I was going to be myself, doing what I love, and feeling fulfilled. To find out what was bugging my soul I started to be a bit more spiritual, self-conscious, and begun combining all of my virtues, my story, my love : Skate ( urban, dancing, art, friendship), Surf (long last friends, art, design, nature love), ME (personality, sense for life, help, justice). All of those, are my values, my core. All of us carry different types of values, sometimes we do not know we have them. That is the reason there is all types of things to share now a days with all of the drastic changes we are living in these new normal pandemic days.
There’s is one important thing tell which plays key part of my growth, something I can’t leave to share, the fountain of my inspiration: They are my wife and family.
Leaders of my heart and players on my decisions out of shoes. All of them (Lili, my two big sisters, mom & dad) thought me the great value of being humble, be kind, no harm, discipline and hard work pays. Lili is been at my side before I graduate from architecture school. She has a unique personality not to mention her beauty and the power to put my feet on earth.
On the other hand God have gave me the ability to be surrounded by with wonderful friends those with super abilities that had been inspiring since my childhood. These are, Moto riders, surfers, architects, designers, engineers , artists, bankers, humble friends.
After a while, realize I was growing up, asking to myself about how I was supposed to fulfilled my inner me to be authentic. At the end the answer was right in front of me
Schooling is going to take the lead, making us better humans. We are here to give without asking back. To give an opportunity to grow as a better person, better family, and most of all creating a beautiful community within the human race.