Architect Bjarke Ingels explores how a bold idea, the Master Planet, can inspire global collaboration for a sustainable future. Viewers discover how architectural thinking can be scaled up to design not just buildings, but the blueprint for an entire planet.

The vision behind the Master Planet

In this conversation, Bjarke Ingels shares the idea of creating a master plan for the planet. Inspired by long-term projects like those for the Smithsonian, the Master Planet concept aims to unify strategies, technologies and investments into a single, practical vision for achieving carbon neutrality.

From pragmatic utopia to planetary design

Ingels reflects on how BIG’s approach has evolved from pragmatic architecture to global-scale design. By treating Earth as one project, the team tests what happens when creativity meets responsibility. The Master Planet becomes both a tool and a mindset, guiding every project toward a consistent, sustainable future.

Building the world we imagine

Drawing on collaborations with NASA and others, Ingels explains how exploring ideas like lunar habitats influences our approach on Earth. He reminds us that bold imagination drives real change, showing that the future becomes what we choose to design together.