Construction sector leads climate impact as Copenhagen architect calls for sustainable living

The construction sector is the leading contributor to climate impact. According to architect and founder of Cobe, Dan Stubbergaard, the climate crisis demands not only a more sustainable approach within the industry but also a shift in our expectations of how we live. “We have become accustomed to living in larger spaces and constructing more,” he states. “To succeed in addressing the climate, biodiversity, and resource crises, we can no longer consume as many square meters or build as extensively as we have in the past.”

Dan Stubbergaard is among the architects who have significantly influenced recent developments in Copenhagen, with notable projects such as Paper Island, Copenhagen’s North Harbor, and Nørreport Station. He reflects on the climate crisis as a time for self-examination: “We began planning and designing Paper Island six to seven years ago. Both you and I know a lot has changed in that timeframe, particularly regarding our understanding and acceptance of the crises we face, especially the climate crisis.”

Many contemporary housing projects, including Paper Island, have been constructed using materials that are harmful to the environment, such as concrete and steel. Stubbergaard notes that based on today’s standards, “Paper Island represents a project from a different era, even though it has only just been completed.”