About Cobe

Cobe is a Copenhagen-based architecture office founded in 2006 by architect and professor Dan Stubbergaard. Cobe transforms cities, landscapes, and buildings into extraordinary everyday places. Rooted in the Scandinavian design tradition, we work across scales and typologies, driven by a belief that architecture is built for people, shaped by context, and designed to stand the test of time.

Dan Stubbergaard, who is trained as an architect from The Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen, Denmark, founded Cobe in 2006. Inspired by the transformation of Copenhagen from an industrial port city to a beacon for livability, he is the leading figure in Cobe’s work to create surroundings that actively contribute to extraordinary everyday life. Stubbergaard believes architects have a profound responsibility to create resilient, long-term solutions that improve life – cities, landscapes and buildings that are made to outlast our generation. Having received national and international acclaim for his work, including the C.F. Hansen Royal Medal from the Danish Academy Council in 2020, Nykredit’s Architecture Award in 2012 and the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale in 2006, he has designed and completed award-winning projects globally.

Dan Stubbergaard is Professor in Practice of Urban Design at Harvard University Graduate School of Design. His research focuses on investigating solutions, tools, and methodologies across scales, including resilient urban development, urban repair, transformation and reuse, new ways of building, green mobility, social responsibility, urban nature, and longevity. Stubbergaard’s approach is based on synthesizing various fields of knowledge, linking urbanism, landscape and architecture, and to create a clear set of values and priorities for the future evolution of our cities.

Co-creation is at the root of our methodology. We believe the best ideas arise from open dialogue - with clients, users, communities, and among ourselves. Every project evolves through an iterative design process, where ideas are tested, refined, and strengthened together. That is why we say “we” rather than “I”. Every extraordinary design emerging from our studio is the result of a collaborative process, and a shared conviction in the power of architecture to transform not just spaces, but also lives.

Cobe transforms cities, landscapes and buildings into compact, high-performing and healthy settings. All our projects are built for life — for people and for communities. We create extraordinary places that are rooted in reality yet adaptable to change — ready for new uses and new users. We bring everyday quality of life to spaces that work form day one and stand the test of time.

We believe in the city, and in densified urban areas. Landscape is an essential component in building a balanced city. It is a transforming structure that continuously shapes our behavior, wellbeing, and physical surroundings. When we design with nature, places become resilient. We use what we already have — always renovating and transforming before building new. To create dense and human-friendly cities, we focus on using resources wisely.

Copenhagen is our 1:1 laboratory, and a playground where we test and create projects across disciplines and scales — always with open dialogue and extraordinary everyday life in focus. Our office is situated in a transformed warehouse in the former industrial harbor of Nordhavn, from where we export our knowledge, expertise, mindset and values to cities across the globe.

In 2019, we decided to contribute to the neighborhood in Nordhavn, by opening our in-studio café. Here, we invite you to experience the atmosphere of our creative home. Explore architectural models, browse our books and publications, and enjoy breakfast, lunch, or coffee among architects and designers. The café is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM–3:00 PM.