Speakers

Jeanette Frisk is an architect, urban designer, and the co-founder of the Copenhagen-based design studio arki_lab. With over a decade of experience in urban planning and community engagement, Jeanette has established herself as a leading international voice in democratic architecture and inclusive urban development.

At the core of Jeanette’s work is the firm belief that resilient cities must be designed with people, not just for them. Through arki_lab, she has pioneered participatory design tools that bridge the gap between complex urban planning and the lived experiences of citizens. Her approach focuses on empowering local communities—ranging from youth to marginalized groups—to take an active role in shaping their own environments, ensuring that urban development remains socially sustainable in times of uncertainty.

Jeanette’s expertise lies in transforming social insights into tangible, climate-resilient spaces. She is a specialist in "Designing Communities," a philosophy that treats social cohesion as a prerequisite for environmental and economic success. Her work often explores how we can provide new economic and social value to existing structures, advocating for the "second life" of cities through adaptive reuse and the restoration of historic buildings.

At 4 Design Days 2026, Jeanette brings a Nordic perspective to the global challenges of the "City of the Future." She addresses how we can design buildings and urban strategies that are proof against climate, energy, and social crises by fostering radical inclusion and empathetic, regenerative design.