Rivendell

How Lord of The Rings shaped my view of the world

Growing up in the early 2000’s meant discovering a whole new world through the early stages of internet.

Our home (or town, for that matter) didn’t have internet until maybe 2004, but we were still able to get our hands on new music and films through “a guy” that was getting them through software like DC++.

As there was no cinema in our city, this is how my brother and I were able to watch Lord of The Rings shortly after it was launched. And I must say, this is when I was left in complete awe, through the incredible world of Tolkien illustrated by Peter Jackson’s cinematography.

I vividly remember the scene where we’re seeing Rivendell from afar, and then it zooms in. A biophilic city, within nature.

Seeing the Elves perform through the whole trilogy as nurturers of nature and its protectors made me see the world through new lens. Instead of plundering Middle Earth like the Men and other races, the Elves have chosen to be a part of nature.

Further down the line, these concepts are still the ones that inspire me in my work today: working in communities, integrating nature in our cities and nurturing it, leaving space for wilderness.