In 2018, Cobe Architects completed their 5 year project of a library and cultural facility that was designed as an extension to an existing school in a northern suburb of Copenhagen called Tingbjerg.

Unfortunately, this subarb ranks on the Danish government’s official list of marginalized crime-ridden areas and has negative reputation because of it. The purpose of Tingbjerg Library is to help to revitalize the area by promoting community integration and engagement.

The back is wedge-shaped and slopes down toward the school’s entrance. The front is a flat and narrow and has stacked grids of transparent and opaque sections.

In 2014, Cobe Architects completed a three story 1,950 square meter daycare center, Forfatterhuset Kindergarten, in Copenhagen. It has the capacity to hold 160 children, and is designed to function as a scaled-down village with buildings of different heights set within a landscaped area. The purpose is to have age-integrated diversity, because right by the preschool are nursing homes. People of all ages meet and share the courtyard area, which features goats, rabbits, chickens and vegetable gardens.

The rusty red exterior, pronounced by red window frames, contrasts with the white interior. The space surrounds a triple-height atrium with a white metal-framed staircase rising up through the center.

Cobe Architects completed the Adidas Europe headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany in 2018. It is 15,500 square meters and serves as a multifunctional venue that provides the Adidas’ World of Sports staff, ambassadors, and visitors an array of meeting spaces, conference center, and a showroom.

The roof of the building is flat and made from V-shaped concrete beams, and a third of its footprint is skylights to allow for maximum natural lighting. The vision that Cobe Architects had for this building was for it to resemble a sports stadium that was a playful, dynamic, and unusual space that would bring employees together.

Last year me and my best friend visited her family in La Jolla, California for spring break. Her uncle, Nasser Pirasteh, is a well known sculpture artist in the city. He is a master of stone, wood, and plaster. He showed us many beautiful spots of San Diego’s modern architecture, and it was really hard to just choose one for the blog. I have been to other parts of California, and San Diego is by far my favorite. This city has a lot of character, and I hope to live here at some point later on in my life. UCSD is such a beautiful campus right by the pacific ocean. One of my favorite buildings there is the Geisel Library, and it looks just like a Lorax tree. At first I thought it was just a coincidence, but this building is actually a tribute to Theodore Geisel. You may know him better as Dr. Seuss! There is also a snake path that leads up to building. There are really no words to describe how beautiful both the exterior and interior are. Sometimes I wish I knew about this place sooner so maybe I could have gone to UCSD instead (just kidding). I do love the brutalist architecture that is displayed here, and I want to go back just to explore more of it!

For my 16th birthday, I had the opportunity to go to Italy for one month. I visited several cities around the country including Milan, Venice, Rome, and Naples. This was my first time traveling outside of the US, and I was so excited that I researched all the places we were planning to go see. Our first stop was the Milan Cathedral. It truly is a different experience to see these famous sites in person. I was completely in shock and amazed by the history and beautiful gothic architecture. I remember when I was about to go in, they told me I wasn’t wearing the appropriate clothing. I totally forgot about the rules when you go to Cathedrals, however they were nice enough to provide me with a cover up. It was a funny experience, but so glad they let me in! Once I got in, my jaw dropped even more. The interior of this place is fascinating, and I distinctly remember the stained glass windows, marble columns and carved panels, the roof top, and the gothic vaulted ceilings. This place really embedded in my brain that I need to appreciate all architecture and pay attention to details. So incredible and I can’t wait to go back someday.

When I was 12, my dad lived in Washington DC for 6 months due to his job with USPS. I had the opportunity to visit him and explore the city for a few weeks during the summer. To this day, it is one of my favorite cities in America because of the gorgeous architecture and its charming atmosphere. Specifically, the National Mall is where I felt the most connected because you can sense where the past, present, and future come together. It is the center of where movements and celebrations take place, where people gather to have their voices heard. It was one of my favorite 4th of July holidays, and I got to see the firework show that was truly amazing and vibrant. I remember that night how i thought about how my family came as immigrants with essentially little to their name. They have made the best versions of themselves to give me the chance to be able to live in that moment. Truly unforgettable! 

Located in Hocking Hills, Ohio, is one of my favorite houses in the world, the Box Hop House. This house was built using three shipping containers and converting them into a home. The house is on 18.5 acres of shaded woods that blend in with the house colors beautifully. The house contains three bedrooms and two full bathrooms, a full kitchen, and many other amenities. I have never personally been to the Box Hop House, but I’ve seen enough videos on it to get an idea of what it would be like to stay there. When I saw the house on video for the first time, I thought it was a dream. The staggered layout of the containers gives the house a unique yet beautiful aesthetic—no wonder this house isn’t available on Airbnb until September 2021. The Box Hop House is what initially got me into building homes from recycled/reused materials. Houses such as this inspire me not only to live differently but also to help towards a greener future. I may not build a house from shipping containers, but I’ll still attempt to think outside the box.

Located deep within New York City is the Central Park Tower. The Central Park Tower is a unique building because it’s currently the tallest residential building in the world. Construction began in 2014, and the building topped off in 2019. It’s projected to be complete sometime later this year. The tower is 1,550 feet tall, has 131 floors, and 11 elevators. 50,000 sq. ft of amenities will fill the tower, giving the residents plenty to do without having to leave. This building, to me, shows that humans are always finding new ways to test their limits in all regards. In 50 years, this same residential tower may be considered average height for all we know. When I saw the Central Park Tower for the first time last year, I never would’ve guessed the tower was for residential purposes. The one downside to the Central Park Tower is that only the elite can afford it. Apartment prices range from 6.9 million to 63 million. That’s NYC for you. Hopefully, I can soon go back to the Central Park Tower and see the finished interior someday.

When one drives through downtown Oklahoma City, it’s almost impossible to miss out on the sight of the Devon Tower. The structure broke ground in 2009 and completed in 2012. The tower is mainly used as a headquarter for Devon Energy Company but also has a restaurant located near the top. To me, the Devon Tower symbolizes the beginning of Oklahoma City’s rebirth. The tower is completely unique compared to all those that surround it in both design and size. An abundance of glass windows was definitely a priority when Pickard Chilton designed the building. I still encounter this skyscraper quite often and the first thing that always comes to my head is all the great redevelopment that followed.

The main library at OU has definitely been one of the most influential buildings in my life, and is a bitter sweet part of my college experience. It is one of my favorite buildings on campus, and I love to show it off to anyone who comes to visit! The architecture of the Bizzell Library is so beautiful to me, and I love the Gothic Cherokee design. Depending on my workload, I love to utilize my time on either the lower level or the 2nd floor. I reminisce on the days when I was a freshman and would search for my new favorite study spots around the building. Flash forward to just a few months ago, I took my senior pictures in front of it. I have learned, been inspired, prospered, grown, made new friendships, and so much more in this building and I will never forget it.