We design cities for both resilience and healing — through trauma-informed, inclusive, and nature-based urban design rooted in Nordic values.
News
Albania Competition
We are on a team invited to propose a design for a new university campus in Albania, with Nabito Architects.
Community Garden Kyiv
We are designing a large-scale community garden for residents of a housing development in Kyiv, Ukraine
New Book
Mikael is currently writing his next book for Island Press - Welcome to Analogville - how low-tech urban solutions will save us
We love our work.
Cities deserve design that treats people, nature, and infrastructure as one ecosystem instead of three competing interests. Coolville Design Lab works at that intersection, shaping public spaces where green landscapes, blue water systems, and grey mobility networks actually support each other. We design for wellbeing and everyday use, not glossy renderings, bringing trauma-informed thinking, ecological health, and human access into the same toolbox. We create urban environments that feel welcoming, futureproof, and alive.
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Green infrastructure is at the heart of our work. We use nature as a tool for healing, resilience, and social cohesion—integrating ecological systems into the everyday lives of communities. Our approach goes beyond planting trees or adding greenery; we design living environments that support mental well-being, strengthen neighbourhood connections, and improve climate adaptation. Whether it is a therapeutic garden, an inclusive playground, or a climate-responsive public space, we aim to create places where people and nature thrive together.
Trauma-informed Therapy Gardens / Community gardens / Food security / Playgrounds / Heat islands
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Blue infrastructure—rivers, coastlines, ponds, and water systems—plays a vital role in shaping resilient and vibrant urban environments. We work with water as both a functional and emotional element, designing waterfronts and river corridors that support ecological health, enhance green infrastructure, and create calming, restorative public spaces. By integrating water with nature-based solutions, we help cities manage climate challenges, strengthen biodiversity, and offer residents places for reflection, recreation, and connection with the natural world.
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Grey infrastructure shapes how people move, meet, and experience the city. Our work focuses on creating urban systems that are safe, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of diverse users. We integrate mobility planning with universal accessibility, gender-sensitive design, and cycling infrastructure to ensure that everyday journeys feel intuitive and comfortable for all. Through tactical urbanism and evidence-based public space design, we help cities test new ideas, activate neglected areas, and transform streets into welcoming, people-centered environments.
Mobility / Accessibility / Bikes / Inclusion / Gender / Public space → tactical urbanism
Nordic values.
International scope.
Multidisciplinary
team
Work experience
in 100 cities worldwide
Always passionate,
never boring
What we do
We design…
places that support wellbeing and connection. From therapeutic gardens and nature-rich playgrounds to accessible streets and resilient riverfronts, we create environments that feel welcoming, healthy, and rooted in their surroundings.
We help…
cities tackle real urban challenges with practical, inclusive, future-ready solutions. Heat islands, mobility gaps, biodiversity loss, neglected spaces—we work with communities to turn problems into stronger, more vibrant public realms.
Our approach…
blends nature-based thinking, evidence-driven design, and deep community engagement. We treat landscapes, water, and infrastructure as one system, creating climate-resilient, people-centered places where nature and everyday life work together.
Our Team
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Mikael Colville-Andersen
Urban design expert, author, and filmmaker with over 20 years shaping cities through people-centered design. I work at the intersection of mobility, public space, and nature-based solutions, leading projects from concept to implementation. My focus is creating resilient, human-scale urban environments that support everyday life and strengthen communities. Volunteering in Ukraine since 2022 and proud of it. Slava Ukraini.
Languages: DK, ENG, NO, SE, FR
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Daniela Tucanova
As an Urban Accessibility Designer, I work to advance equitable urban environments by focusing on mobility, inclusion, and the lived experiences of impaired individuals and marginalized groups. Drawing on strong research skills, I explore how everyday barriers shape movement and work to promote people-centered solutions that make urban spaces fairer, safer, and more responsive to all users.
Languages: CZ, ENG
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Roxana Cseidi
Landscape architect with experience in climate-responsive design, focused on green infrastructure and nature-based solutions that improve urban environments. I combine strong technical skills with ecological insight to create sustainable, resilient spaces that support communities, enhance biodiversity, and promote long-term environmental health.
Languages: RO, ENG
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André Seljestad Knudsen
As an Urban Planner and Placemaking Specialist, I work to create human-centered urban environments by combining planning, design, psychology, and communication. Drawing on a multidisciplinary background, I explore how spatial form, behaviour, politics, and culture shape our cities — and I develop people-focused solutions that make places more meaningful, functional, and sustainable. I bring experience from research, environmental work, political processes, and my own practice, using visual storytelling and clear communication to make complex planning topics accessible and engaging.
Languages: NO, DK, ENG
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Eliška Slaměna
Architect and urban designer invested in sustainable design principles that favour climate adaptation and biodiversity, celebrate transformation potential, and focus on positive user experience. Excited to combine dedication to functionality with design and technical experience from international projects of all scales and typologies into projects that create quality urban life.
Languages: CZ, DK, ENG
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Romain Loubiere
As an urban designer and mobility expert, my practice—rooted in action-research, community engagement, and a data-informed approach—explores people’s behaviors, movements, and experiences in the city. I focus on transforming public space and mobility infrastructure to create more inclusive, livable urban environments where navigating the city feels intuitive, safe, and joyful for all.
Languages: FR, ENG