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It was a pleasure and an honor to share the Buildex speaker’s podium with you @slaarchitect, @carbonwise and @timbase_timberbasements.

Disrupting The Norm:
Housing Reimagined for a World in Crisis

It’s a huge challenge to try and solve the dual crisis of climate change and the missing middle housing (as you vividly painted on the screen Stephane) but this little project feels like a big step in the right direction.

#masstimber #regenerativedesign

It was a pleasure and an honor to share the Buildex speaker’s podium with you @slaarchitect, @carbonwise and @timbase_timberbasements.

Disrupting The Norm:
Housing Reimagined for a World in Crisis

It’s a huge challenge to try and solve the dual crisis of climate change and the missing middle housing (as you vividly painted on the screen Stephane) but this little project feels like a big step in the right direction.

#masstimber #regenerativedesign

I just read the last words of this incredible book by Kevin Van Tighem. The last chapter, Home, is such a powerful close to the narrative on his personal life interwoven with his professional career. I will be carrying his thoughts on the final words he shares Humility, Respect, Kinship, Reciprocity, Gratitude, Love, and especially Fierce Determination closely.

Thank you for the book Mr Van Tighem. The world is a better place from your work on the land and in these pages.

I just read the last words of this incredible book by Kevin Van Tighem. The last chapter, Home, is such a powerful close to the narrative on his personal life interwoven with his professional career. I will be carrying his thoughts on the final words he shares Humility, Respect, Kinship, Reciprocity, Gratitude, Love, and especially Fierce Determination closely.

Thank you for the book Mr Van Tighem. The world is a better place from your work on the land and in these pages.

at gökotta studio + lab we firmly believe that a life well lived is one immersed in, and aware of, our intrinsic relationship with Nature. understanding our place within the interconnected web of life is essential to striving to protect the more-than-human beings we share this planet with.

gökotta’s founder, jason, has modeled his life on this belief. he spent last weekend contemplating his relationship with the mountains over the 100km course of the inaugural #Alpenglow100 trail race by @coastmtntrail.

the unique start time of 9:30pm on Friday offered a truly immersive and vulnerable experience with Nature requiring a deep focus and connection with the trail and surroundings. it also created the perfect opportunity to practice gökotta in the alpenglow, which is to spend time outside during the early dawn, listening to birdsong and being present in our relationship with Nature.

photos by @tyholtanphoto and @jelmersnoeck

at gökotta studio + lab we firmly believe that a life well lived is one immersed in, and aware of, our intrinsic relationship with Nature. understanding our place within the interconnected web of life is essential to striving to protect the more-than-human beings we share this planet with.

gökotta’s founder, jason, has modeled his life on this belief. he spent last weekend contemplating his relationship with the mountains over the 100km course of the inaugural #Alpenglow100 trail race by @coastmtntrail.

the unique start time of 9:30pm on Friday offered a truly immersive and vulnerable experience with Nature requiring a deep focus and connection with the trail and surroundings. it also created the perfect opportunity to practice gökotta in the alpenglow, which is to spend time outside during the early dawn, listening to birdsong and being present in our relationship with Nature.

photos by @tyholtanphoto and @jelmersnoeck

#gokottastudiolab #regenerativedesign #flower #pollinator

#gokottastudiolab #regenerativedesign #flower #pollinator

Quite an incredible “day at the office” today.

#ecologicalrestoration

Quite an incredible “day at the office” today.

#ecologicalrestoration

On the @bcferries to Vancouver Island with our @bcitsoce MSc Ecological Restoration class to learn about and practice terrestrial and riparian #ecologicalrestoration.

#ecologicalrestorationist #earthdayeverday #designwiththeland #makeadifference

On the @bcferries to Vancouver Island with our @bcitsoce MSc Ecological Restoration class to learn about and practice terrestrial and riparian #ecologicalrestoration.

#ecologicalrestorationist #earthdayeverday #designwiththeland #makeadifference

we see opportunity for growth and benefit where others see constraints

pictured: Sinapis arvensis, Charlock Mustard on barrow street in north Vancouver 2024. harsh disturbed sites are a constraint to many plants. but to others, like the Charlock mustard, they are an opportunity. as a member of the Brassicaceae family, that are known to establish in disturbed sites, the side of a road in the gap between the asphalt and the concrete gutter was the perfect place to germinate and live all summer.

Nature is organized around niches for different species of plants and animals. what is a constraint for one is the ideal for another. each setting has a functional (and often beautiful) assemblage of species.

we look at projects the same way. we examine the conditions of the niche (aka project needs and site conditions) to discover the ideal elements to fit the niche so that the system functions, thrives, regenerates and leaves a net positive impact. And like in Nature, is beautiful too.

#Natureknowstheway

#landscapearchitecture #ecologicalrestoration #Nature #designwithNature #urbanlandscape

we see opportunity for growth and benefit where others see constraints

pictured: Sinapis arvensis, Charlock Mustard on barrow street in north Vancouver 2024. harsh disturbed sites are a constraint to many plants. but to others, like the Charlock mustard, they are an opportunity. as a member of the Brassicaceae family, that are known to establish in disturbed sites, the side of a road in the gap between the asphalt and the concrete gutter was the perfect place to germinate and live all summer.

Nature is organized around niches for different species of plants and animals. what is a constraint for one is the ideal for another. each setting has a functional (and often beautiful) assemblage of species.

we look at projects the same way. we examine the conditions of the niche (aka project needs and site conditions) to discover the ideal elements to fit the niche so that the system functions, thrives, regenerates and leaves a net positive impact. And like in Nature, is beautiful too.

#Natureknowstheway

#landscapearchitecture #ecologicalrestoration #Nature #designwithNature #urbanlandscape

we are a new firm, but with over 25 years of experience, we see and do things differently

reach out to see how we can do things differently for you and see the unique results on your project

#landscapearchitecture #ecologicalrestoration #designbetter #designwithscience #maketheworldabetterplace

we are a new firm, but with over 25 years of experience, we see and do things differently

reach out to see how we can do things differently for you and see the unique results on your project

#landscapearchitecture #ecologicalrestoration #designbetter #designwithscience #maketheworldabetterplace

This arrived today! Quite excited to read it having just finished Gathering Moss last week. We combine listening to the audio book with reading the hard copy to get the magic of Robin Wall Kimmerer’s voice and her passion. Highly recommend giving it a try with any book.

#indigenousauthors #booknerd #lifelonglearner #earthdayeveryday

This arrived today! Quite excited to read it having just finished Gathering Moss last week. We combine listening to the audio book with reading the hard copy to get the magic of Robin Wall Kimmerer’s voice and her passion. Highly recommend giving it a try with any book.

#indigenousauthors #booknerd #lifelonglearner #earthdayeveryday

Still bathing in the glow of the @serestoration conference with my new favorite #coffee mug. It perfectly holds an #aeropress worth of fuel for journal reading.
It was our first Society of Ecological Restoration event but most certainly not the last.

#ecologicalrestoration #naturefirst #lovemotherearth #regenerativedesign #landscapearchitecture #earthdayeveryday #lifelonglearning

Still bathing in the glow of the @serestoration conference with my new favorite #coffee mug. It perfectly holds an #aeropress worth of fuel for journal reading.
It was our first Society of Ecological Restoration event but most certainly not the last.

#ecologicalrestoration #naturefirst #lovemotherearth #regenerativedesign #landscapearchitecture #earthdayeveryday #lifelonglearning

Not even rain could keep this eager @serestoration conference group from touring the #ionabeachregionalpark. Looking out at the #salishsea with Herons, Sand Pipers and Snow Geese to admire. Thank you @metrovancouverbc for the amazing discussions in the sideways rain

#ecologicalrestoration #earthdayeveryday #landscapeecology #learningmoment

Not even rain could keep this eager @serestoration conference group from touring the #ionabeachregionalpark. Looking out at the #salishsea with Herons, Sand Pipers and Snow Geese to admire. Thank you @metrovancouverbc for the amazing discussions in the sideways rain

#ecologicalrestoration #earthdayeveryday #landscapeecology #learningmoment

Great to see a familiar face on the big screen here at the first morning session of the #SERNAC conference in Vancouver. Jack speaking about the importance of pollinator spaces in Vancouver and an excellent presentation in the first session by @y2y_initiative on their critical work around corridors.

Great to see a familiar face on the big screen here at the first morning session of the #SERNAC conference in Vancouver. Jack speaking about the importance of pollinator spaces in Vancouver and an excellent presentation in the first session by @y2y_initiative on their critical work around corridors.

An inspiring and very entertaining evening listening to Diana Beresford-Kroeger and Jennifer Grenz at the Van Writers Fest. It’s amazing to have two strong and brilliant women to learn from.

#ecosystemsforchange #earthdayeveryday #indigenouswomen #makeadifference

An inspiring and very entertaining evening listening to Diana Beresford-Kroeger and Jennifer Grenz at the Van Writers Fest. It’s amazing to have two strong and brilliant women to learn from.

#ecosystemsforchange #earthdayeveryday #indigenouswomen #makeadifference

at gökotta studio + lab we see and do things differently. like math.
2 + 2 does not always equal 4.
lets do more together

#ecologicalrestoration #landscapearchitecture #interconnectedness #regenerativedesign #bemore #earthdayeveryday #nature

at gökotta studio + lab we see and do things differently. like math.
2 + 2 does not always equal 4.
lets do more together

#ecologicalrestoration #landscapearchitecture #interconnectedness #regenerativedesign #bemore #earthdayeveryday #nature

Psychologist Kurt Lewin, the founder of Social Psychology, developed the heuristic formula B = f (P,E) in 1936 to explain human behaviour. This formula states that behaviour (B) is a function (f) of both the person (P) and their environment (E). Lewin believed that our behaviour results from a combination of our unique personal experiences and the immediate environment we find ourselves in.
This concept, also known as Field Theory, suggests that a person’s “life space” determines their behaviour. Lewin, borrowing from the Gestalt idea that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” suggests that life space is the total sum of all the desires and motivations within the person and the environment. It is the sum of these often competing forces that combine to form something larger than just the individual elements. In his book, Principles of Topological Psychology, Lewin posits that our life space is strictly our psychological reality, and only this psychological reality has a direct impact on our behaviour at any given moment. Emerging research supports the idea, showing that even our perceived physical spaces influence our sense of reality. For instance, a study by Mattila et al. (2020) demonstrated that viewing a Finnish forest in virtual reality was convincing enough to be perceived as real and have impact. A brief period in this virtual environment significantly improved participants’ vitality, mood, and perceived restoration outcomes, including relaxation, calmness, attention restoration, and mental clarity. This evidence shows that our perception of physical reality is directly tied to our psychological reality.
Continued below…

Psychologist Kurt Lewin, the founder of Social Psychology, developed the heuristic formula B = f (P,E) in 1936 to explain human behaviour. This formula states that behaviour (B) is a function (f) of both the person (P) and their environment (E). Lewin believed that our behaviour results from a combination of our unique personal experiences and the immediate environment we find ourselves in.
This concept, also known as Field Theory, suggests that a person’s “life space” determines their behaviour. Lewin, borrowing from the Gestalt idea that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” suggests that life space is the total sum of all the desires and motivations within the person and the environment. It is the sum of these often competing forces that combine to form something larger than just the individual elements. In his book, Principles of Topological Psychology, Lewin posits that our life space is strictly our psychological reality, and only this psychological reality has a direct impact on our behaviour at any given moment. Emerging research supports the idea, showing that even our perceived physical spaces influence our sense of reality. For instance, a study by Mattila et al. (2020) demonstrated that viewing a Finnish forest in virtual reality was convincing enough to be perceived as real and have impact. A brief period in this virtual environment significantly improved participants’ vitality, mood, and perceived restoration outcomes, including relaxation, calmness, attention restoration, and mental clarity. This evidence shows that our perception of physical reality is directly tied to our psychological reality.
Continued below…

at gökotta studio + lab we strive to connect people with Nature so that we can remember our interconnectedness. Hamilton’s Rule, in the fields of ecology and sociobiology, states that organisms evolve to support genetic success MORE than an individual’s reproductive success. in other words, the survival of an organism’s genes doesn’t just depend on how many offspring a parent produces but also on the reproductive success of close relatives. what this means is the more related we are to another, the more altruistic we will be towards them and the greater sacrifice we will make for their success. if we could realize that we are all related and we share our home with all the other living human and non-human beings, how far could we go towards ensuring their success and therefore our own?

The rule is expressed mathematically as r * B > C. The variable “r” stands for the fractional genetic relatedness of the altruist to the beneficiary. The variable “B” is the benefit (number of offspring) to the gene pool of the beneficiary. The variable “C” stands for the cost (in the number of offspring) suffered by the altruist while taking part in a particular behavior. Let’s tilt the math together.

#regenerativedesign #landscapearchitecture #ecologicalrestoration #whywedothis

at gökotta studio + lab we strive to connect people with Nature so that we can remember our interconnectedness. Hamilton’s Rule, in the fields of ecology and sociobiology, states that organisms evolve to support genetic success MORE than an individual’s reproductive success. in other words, the survival of an organism’s genes doesn’t just depend on how many offspring a parent produces but also on the reproductive success of close relatives. what this means is the more related we are to another, the more altruistic we will be towards them and the greater sacrifice we will make for their success. if we could realize that we are all related and we share our home with all the other living human and non-human beings, how far could we go towards ensuring their success and therefore our own?

The rule is expressed mathematically as r * B > C. The variable “r” stands for the fractional genetic relatedness of the altruist to the beneficiary. The variable “B” is the benefit (number of offspring) to the gene pool of the beneficiary. The variable “C” stands for the cost (in the number of offspring) suffered by the altruist while taking part in a particular behavior. Let’s tilt the math together.

#regenerativedesign #landscapearchitecture #ecologicalrestoration #whywedothis

since early dawn

since early dawn

swedish verb pronounced Yuh-kawt-tah

swedish verb pronounced Yuh-kawt-tah

the swedish practice of waking up early to experience the quietness of the morning, birdsong and the beauty of Nature

the swedish practice of waking up early to experience the quietness of the morning, birdsong and the beauty of Nature

a design studio and research lab focusing on reuniting humanity with Nature through the experience of the natural and built environments

a design studio and research lab focusing on reuniting humanity with Nature through the experience of the natural and built environments

we believe that a root cause of the issues our world faces is the disconnect we feel from Nature and Community. we have lost our Oneness

we believe that a root cause of the issues our world faces is the disconnect we feel from Nature and Community. we have lost our Oneness

we believe that we can, and have the responsibility to participate in the development of solutions for our Earth’s health which for us is through the re-connection with Nature

we believe that we can, and have the responsibility to participate in the development of solutions for our Earth’s health which for us is through the re-connection with Nature

the purpose of the studio is to explore physical ways we connect with Nature and Community and help create balance and harmony in our local built environment

the purpose of the studio is to explore physical ways we connect with Nature and Community and help create balance and harmony in our local built environment

the purpose of the lab is to research how we connect with Nature and Community and share this knowledge to help create balance and harmony on our Earth

the purpose of the lab is to research how we connect with Nature and Community and share this knowledge to help create balance and harmony on our Earth

work with us to experience the benefits of connecting to Nature and Community in your project

work with us to experience the benefits of connecting to Nature and Community in your project

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yes. we still post to instagram. we struggle with the platform but haven't found a great substitute (yet).

until then we continue to enjoy sharing and connecting with the Community in the digital realm while encouraging people to get out and connect in Nature with themselves, with Community and with Nature herself.

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