I used to ride a mountain bike, a lot. Like I mean 30+ miles a week, and I enjoyed it, and I had a pretty kick-ass bike for then too. I do not have a kick-ass bike in Copenhagen, I have a heavy, crap-tastic POS with coaster breaks (coaster breaks?!) and gears that slip! My butt is so sore from the men’s seat on the POS I swear I have bruises, for real. But, I have a basket! This will make getting groceries and carrying stuff around substantially easier.

We took a bike tour of architectural sites today, and honestly I’m amazed by many of them, how the community is involved in much of the decision making and approval of buildings. I’m also amazed at the amount thought put into how many of the buildings and surrounding areas would be used and the attempts made to address the needs through design. For example, creating a lagoon at the man-made beach island so that it would warm the water and create a safer, more easily accessible space for children to play in the water.

The public bath at the beach was another good example. Plenty of platforms to dive or sun on with new ones appearing or disappearing as the tides changed. The tall walls to block the wind so that swimmers could stay warmer. I’m hard pressed to think of anything designed so thoughtfully for public use in Denver.

I also really enjoyed the materials opening. I bought the catalogue for the exhibition so that I can remember the names of all the materials I’d love to use to build something from. So inspiring, made me want to make a crazy giant light up sculpture of some kind. If only I could work that into a school or work project somehow.