Copenhagen’s transformation from an archaic industrial and harbor metropolis to an environmental and user-friendly city during the last 10 years has been well documented. The rejuvenation of the Danish capital’s waterfront, the pedestrian and biking infrastructure, the redevelopment of public spaces and attracting young families back into the city with contemporary residential projects, have become the envy of major cities across the globe. Experiencing this metamorphosis at close hand has been simply mind-boggling. As in all major transformations, political, social and economic factors play a significant role before the architect and urban planner can even begin to remodel our physical spaces and environments. However, if there is one architectural studio that has understood the challenges and the possibilities of redesigning Copenhagen’s urban spaces, then it must be COBE. For the last decade, this relatively young practice, spearheaded by its founder and Creative Director, Dan Stubbergaard, have contributed to Copenhagen’s transformation with complex and high-profile projects such as the current development of North Harbor, Nordhavnen, Nørreport Station and Israel’s Plads. Incredibly, COBE have not cemented themselves in the general consciousness of Copenhagen’s residents. However, residents and visitors alike have the perfect opportunity to become acquainted with this talented community of architects and urban designers, with the opening of the exhibition, Our Urban Living Room, at the Danish Architecture Centre. The exhibition is an engaging window into how Dan Stubbergaard’s team approach each project that have defined Copenhagen’s urban landscape since 2005. An added feature of the exhibition, is that COBE, which is a short walk from DAC, have opened their doors to their studio, to the exhibition visitors. COBE’s approach of re-thinking and re-designing our public physical environments improving all aspects of everyday living in Copenhagen is enriching. Copenhagen’s current DNA is on full show at DAC until 08.01.2017.

Photo credits: Phillip Mills

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Nørreport: A Public Space That Works

Israel’s Plads: A Public Square To Be Proud Of