Dror Benshetrit is a founder of Studio Dror, and Supernature Labs, a designer, thinker, inventor, and futurist and one of the keynote speakers at Disrupt Symposium hosted in collaboration with Out of Architecture (OOA) in April 2023. Dror's unconventional and striking work is driven by his ingenuity and encompasses many projects.
During a discussion with Jake Rudin, the co-founder of OOA, they focused on Supernature Labs and how the firm believes in creating authentic connections and improving people's well-being through their designs in today's challenging urban environment.
Established in 2018, Supernature Labs is a global ecosystem that comprises designers, architects, urbanists, city futurists, engineers, neuroscientists, strategists, technologists, and activists. The firm aims to address the need for regenerative urban communities.
City or country? What will be your choice?
Supernature Labs was founded with the vision of establishing inclusive communities that can foster the flourishing of all living beings. The idea of setting up this research laboratory was not born out of a single cause but rather a culmination of various factors that resonated with Dror. He and his wife, who had spent most of their lives in large cities, always had an affinity for urban living. Nevertheless, they discovered a profound appreciation for nature after buying a country house. They recognized the extent to which they had been disconnected from it in their urban surroundings. They also came to appreciate the privilege of owning a second home in New York, which allowed them to spend weekends surrounded by nature. Dror understood the transformative effects of nature on their behaviour and how it positively impacted their lives. This experience ignited a sense of creativity and discontent in Dror, prompting him to consider ways in which he could provide a similar environment for others who may not have the luxury of owning two homes. Though owning a second home offered temporary relief, it was not a permanent solution to the problem of living in a restrictive urban environment.
Having spent most of their lives in the city, Dror's wife developed insomnia during their stays in the city but slept soundly when they spent time at their country house. This prompted them to spend more time in the countryside, especially since it gave their children the opportunity to experience both lifestyles. Dror's personal experience of living in New York left him feeling disconcerted, realising the unforgiving and inescapable concrete and asphalt environment that most people endure throughout their entire lives. He believed that there had to be a way for people to coexist with nature, allowing children to grow up in a natural environment rather than simply accessing it. Dror recalls the "gardens" in New York, which he deemed more akin to a controlled environment, similar to a zoo, rather than a natural one.
What did we ask ourselves?
Considering the global challenge we face, it is crucial to recognize the significant impact of the construction industry and rapid urbanisation on the world's issues. As futurists and designers, architects are responsible for visualising a better future for humanity. How can we create an environment that genuinely embodies the true essence of nature? Dror became interested in bio planning and realised that in our current age, loneliness is a significant issue and that we need communities now more than ever. This led to several questions about how to create a sense of belonging and community. How can we develop buildings and communities that make us feel embraced? How can we foster a culture where people in the community support and care for one another, creating a sense of being a part of an urban family?
Another essential question to be answered is how a sense of community can alleviate the problem of loneliness for older people who reside in isolated urban environments with little to no interaction with their neighbours; often spending weekends and holidays alone. How can moving to a more community-oriented environment improve their daily lives? All of this stems from the desire to improve the human experience and find better ways to enhance it.
What's Next?
As a designer based in New York City, Dror constantly looked towards the future, always pondering the question of "what's next?" He relished the ability to surprise and intrigue others with his work continually. Still, he found it challenging to describe his role since he worked on various projects - from products to landscapes to architecture. He sometimes felt cursed for being a generalist rather than a specialist, although he recognized the value of being the best in a specific field. Despite this, Dror deliberately chose not to specialise in one area and instead collaborated with experts in various fields to gain experience working on diverse projects over the years.
The founder and CEO, Dror Benshetrit, vividly recalls the moment he decided to establish Supernature Labs. As he approached his 40s, he began asking himself a different kind of question than he ever had before. Instead of pondering what his firm could do next, he pondered what the world needed most. Dror was so inspired by this question that he spent five days at his country house crafting a written response. This response became the basis for the Supernature Manifesto. This manifesto became the basis for the firm's vision for the future of urbanism, challenging the status quo and encouraging them to question why we continue building apartment buildings where people struggle to sleep.
For Dror, Supernature has become more than just a firm or a job - it is a mission and a calling to put a stop to the chaotic growth of cities. He noticed that it had become commonplace for individuals to spend an hour or two travelling to their destination from the airport when he travelled to other cities. Additionally, many individuals spend an hour commuting to work every day, and this is not considered standard. Dror believes that this is a consequence of our expansion and rapid urbanisation, causing us to become more distant from one another in the name of growth. He believes that the expansion of cities cannot continue in a reckless and uncontrolled way, as it has already had a massive environmental impact. With over 50% of natural resources already consumed, there is a real danger that humanity may not survive the current century if this trend continues. Therefore, Dror thinks there is nothing more crucial to focus on than addressing this issue.
