208: How BIG Is Architecting Sustainable Structures from Earth to the Moon and Back Again

In this special Nordic Visionaries edition of the Innovation Storytellers Show, I am joined by one of the most influential architects of our time, Bjarke Ingels, founder of BIG, Bjarke Ingels Group. From reimagining the clean port of Copenhagen to designing the first permanent human habitat on the Moon, Bjarke’s work challenges conventional thinking about architecture, sustainability, and innovation.

In this expansive conversation, Bjarke reflects on his early passion for graphic novels and how that artistic instinct evolved into a career that shapes skylines and societies alike. He introduces listeners to the Danish concept of form giving, the idea of shaping not just objects but the frameworks of human life. From Bhutan’s Galefu mindfulness city to NASA’s lunar base, Bjarke reveals how his designs are rooted in ancient culture and future potential.

Listeners will hear how nature, not as an ornament but as a collaborator, inspires Bjarke’s vision. Whether allowing vines to invade his home office or designing a ski slope atop a waste-to-energy plant, he demonstrates how sustainability and pleasure coexist. He shares his philosophy of “hedonistic sustainability” and makes a compelling case that what’s good for the planet can also improve our quality of life.

Bjarke also discusses material innovation, from using bacteria to brew carbon-free concrete to printing structures with moon dust. He explains how earthly or extraterrestrial constraints can unlock some of the world’s most transformative ideas.

This episode is more than a journey through architecture. It invites us to rethink how we design our lives, cities, and shared future.