In the face of climate change and the myriad obstacles to living an individually and collectively earth-friendly lifestyle, it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed and even defeated, but I found this month’s profile of influential Danish architect Dan Stubbergaard and his firm Cobe uplifting, inspiring, and full of hope and encouragement.
The city of Copenhagen, a sustainability success story, is Stubbergaard’s playground—“a utopia of bike lanes, pedestrian thoroughfares, and swimmable waterways, the envy of urbanites the world over,” writes AD’s global features director, Sam Cochran. Stubbergaard himself conceived of many of these canals, plazas, and green spaces, including the new Opera Park and Paper Island, a mixed-use development. It is exciting to see a major talent tackle these challenges with practicality, a people-first philosophy, and exceptional aesthetics.
Meanwhile in Ladakh, India, high in the Himalayas, three emerging firms shine as they rely on the region’s natural materials and traditional construction methods. “We’re interested in how you can integrate the vernacular with the modern and what that combined language can evolve into,” notes Faiza Khan of Field Architects.
Fittingly, longtime environmental activist Amber Valletta fronts our Earth Month issue, and her California house is a model of green standards. Not only is it solar-ready, thermal-insulated, and furnished with repurposed vintage pieces, but it also features a desert garden that requires little water. Her style seems to be in sync with nature: “We’ve seen owls by the pool, hawks circling above, a bobcat, coyotes, butterflies, praying mantises. It’s a good vibe here.”
Amy Astley’s letter appears in AD’s April 2024 issue. Never miss an issue when you subscribe to AD.