a swedish verb pronounced yuh-kawt-tah
it has no english translation or equivalent
it is the practice of waking up early to experience the quietness of the morning, birdsong and the beauty of Nature
the word captures the essence of how we strive to live and work.
it reflects our way of being
a way of being
we are guided by the Swedish practice of gökotta. rising at dawn to embrace the quiet of morning, to listen to birdsong, and to witness the beauty of Nature.
more than a moment, gökotta is an intentional way of being: consciously participating with Nature, drawing inspiration from it, and recognizing our place within it in everyday life.
this practice shapes who we are as a landscape architecture studio and research lab. it reminds us to approach our work with intentionality and to root every design in relationship with Nature to bring this awareness into every project, at every scale.
at gökotta studio + lab, we see it as our responsibility to respond to the climate crisis in all that we do. we believe part of the solution lies in the simple yet powerful act of reconnecting people with Nature.
through this reconnection, our work fosters relationships where we recognize ourselves as part of a larger Community. one that includes both humanity and the more-than-human beings with whom we share this planet.
when we collectively choose to live in relationship with Nature, as the practice of gökotta encourages, we begin to heal the planet starting with the places closest to us. through our regenerative designs and curiosity-driven research, we create spaces that invite people into this relationship. spaces where the experience of Nature in both built and natural environments inspires reconnection, renewal, and belonging.
