A Darwinist take on architecture

Danish architect Bjarke Ingels believes in the power of architecture to transform the world. He calls it "architectural alchemy" when, through creative and highly adaptable design, an apartment building and parking lot are transformed into a lush, green mountainside. Ingels compares his team's design process to that of species' evolution, gradually selecting the model best suited to its natural environment. He says sustainable design should improve our quality of life, not make life harder. Ingels takes viewers through three different projects, including converting a barren middle-eastern island into a massive "carbon-neutral" development. (Oh and heads up: if you're hoping to see Copenhagen's national monument - the little mermaid - don't travel to Denmark between May and December 2010. Thanks to Ingels, the mermaid will be in Shanghai.)

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