As architects, we insist on the power of invention, innovation and envisioning a positive and hopeful image of the future. The process of design is driven by the determination to solve fundamental challenges and improving broken things. Architects hold the same lovely and naive qualities as dogs. Throw us a stick and we will fetch it. Throw us a challenge and we will not return until we have a solution.
Human history has demonstrated the strength of determination to improve. To implement bold changes. To redefine what we thought was impossible. The power of innovation. The impact of human creativity. Dear people, dear clients, dear users of architecture, urban spaces, cities, infrastructure, and nature - Let us help you do what we do best. Let us help you save the planet through creativity.
We know the challenges.
The latest report from the “Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change - IPCC” concludes with surgical precision – The planet is sincerely suffering. And the suffering is caused by us. Human beings. 5 out 9 “planetary boundaries” (as defined be Johan Rockström and a team of 28 scientists in 2009) are exceeding their limits. 3 critically. Since the Global Status Reports brought forward the negative impacts of human construction on our global ecosystem there is no longer any excuses. The share of carbon emitted. Resources exploited. Waste generated. Land occupied. Natural habitats destroyed. And chemicals involved in the production poisoning our nature and our homes. All points at present paradigms of planning and building.
An architectural studio is an active, responsible part of the construction industry. Too often a part of the problem not the solution. But when activated best, architects have the determination of tracking dogs to find pragmatic and feasible solutions to complex challenges.
Architects feel comfortable in the process of design – a process of structuring the path into the unknown with an unwavering focus on the result – the vision.
We have solutions. They are not necessarily futuristic and experimental. Some are pre-industrial common sense. Some are intuitive. Some are enhanced, advanced and hi tech but available, in demand and just waiting to be scaled up.
We have the tools to measure the environmental impacts of our designs. We are in constant search and dialogue with manufactures of low impact and circular materials to use in our designs. We implement technologies to reduce the need and supply renewable and carbon-free energy. We roughly know the extent of “green” surface and land we need to protect from urbanization, industrialization, and agriculture to restore the most critical ecosystems. We know what changes are needed in our personal consumption and re-circulation patterns to lower our individual footprints and reduce the human impact on the globe to a more balanced state. And we know what motivates and inspire people to meet, share and form strong value-based communities. We know how designs can change behavior and habits.
The road to implementation is complex and unpredictable. An intwined mesh of policies, national interests, old grudges, new business models, redefined growth paradigms and a complete overhaul of personal habits. Not surprising this generates overwhelming levels of anxiety and activates what psychologists call a cognitive dissonance. A very unpleasant feeling of gilt and incompetence leading to either complete apathy, escape-ism or denial.
At Cobe we choose an alternative way forward. Action. By creativity.
We cannot do it alone. We need hands to hold. We need partnerships. We need communities with shared values and mutual trust. The process to a sustainable future is unclear to most of us but we still share a desire to offer future generations an opportunity to live healthy, safe, and joyful lives.
We wish to offer designs that in it’s production, use and after life do not impact the planetary resources and environment in a way that limits the possibilities of future generation to fulfill their needs - defined in four guiding values that we want to promote for all future designs.
· #1 We aim to build less new. By optimizing the built footprint, adapt and reuse as much of our existing structures and infrastructure as possible
· #2 We aim to reduce the environmental impact of our designs as much as possible. Including eliminating harmful chemicals in the production and materials. By continuously extracting, analyzing, and evaluating data from our designs at all stages.
· #3 We aim to expand the green, organic footprint of the world. By accelerating the volume of vegetation in, on and between all buildings and hardscapes.
· #4 We aim to support the growth of strong communities based on shared value-partnerships supported by low emission infrastructure and safe soft mobility and walkability.
Common to them all is a stubborn determination to design future-proof urbanism, landscape, and architecture in an unpredictable future. Whatever that looks like is hard to imagine. But we believe that the success is relying on our common interest to sustain. And our trust in creativity.
We wish to do this together with our partnerships, bold clients, and enthusiastic communities.