Journal of Biophilic Design

"Engage with the material… don't dictate. Let the material help dictate the design… and dare to dream."  —  Benjamin Ayling There is something deeply timeless about holding a piece of natural stone. Perhaps it is the cool surface beneath our fingertips. Perhaps it is the intricate mineral patterns that could never be replicated twice. Or perhaps it is something much older than conscious...

Sleep is not something that simply happens. It is something our environment either supports or undermines." When we think about improving sleep, many of us immediately turn to wearable technology, sleep trackers or the latest wellness trend. Yet according to Olympic Sleep Coach Sanjay Verma and Therese Haltuff of Norwegian bedding company Norsk Dun, restorative sleep begins long before our head to...

In this episode of the  Journal of Biophilic Design  podcast, we speak with landscape specialist Tom Palfreyman, whose work across commercial, hospitality, retail and workplace environments has focused on the principle that plants fundamentally change how people experience space. With more than twenty years’ involvement in interior and exterior landscaping, Tom has spent his career explo...

Ever wondered why some spaces instantly relax you, while others energise or even irritate? The secret might lie in the colour! Karen Haller, is an expert in applied colour psychology, and reveals how understanding the emotional dance of colours can transform our built environments into havens of well-being and productivity. Whether you're an interior designer, architect, or simply a lover of natur...

Have you ever wondered how materials shape our environment? What happens when design meets nature? If you’re craving a fresh perspective on sustainable, regenerative design, dive deep with us into the world of materials, creativity, and a future where biophilic principles transform every building, every product, and every space.   William Knight, co-founder of Material Matters, is a passionat...

Biophilic Regenerative Design Is it Utopian thinking to imagine a world architected not just to sustain, but to regenerate. A space where every brick, every plant, every human interaction pushes us closer to harmony with nature?  Enrique Soler, is Design Director for Major Projects at Area, where he leads a multidisciplinary team of designers. Formerly Head of Design for Willmott Dixon I...

  Imagine furniture, cities and buildings that tell stories rooted in local geology, where the materials and forms echo the unique landscapes of their region. Imagine a design language spoken with local stones and traditions, elevating cultural identity.  Beyond its primal beauty and ancient aura, STONE is a material that embodies sustainability, resilience, and storytelling. If you...

At The Workspace Design Show at the Business Design Centre in London this year, I had the privilege of chairing a dynamic panel featuring industry leaders Nicola Tomkins  Head of Design for Major Projects at Overbury ,  Lidia Johansen A ssociate Environmental Consultant at chapmanbdsp  and Paulo Ribeiro  Head of Interior Design at  Aecom.  It was a lively an...

Efforts to tackle the climate and nature crisis often focus on policy, science and activism. But according to Will Hayler, founder and CEO of The Blue Earth Summit, real transformation will only happen when entrepreneurs and investors are fully part of the conversation.   Speaking about the philosophy behind the Blue Earth Summit, Will argues that innovation and enterprise are essential if en...

We spend about  90% of our lives indoors , yet our cities, offices and homes are rarely designed with the biological reality of that fact in mind. That disconnect between humans and the natural systems we evolved within is becoming harder to ignore. Biophilic Design is a growing movement in architecture and planning, which argues that bringing nature back into the built environment is not a l...

Have you ever wondered why we feel so alive when we’re surrounded by nature? Why certain textures, materials, or natural elements spark deep emotions within us? The truth is reconnecting with nature through thoughtful design is a necessity, it is how we restore our bond with the earth and the more we do this, the more we are shaping a new way of living that sustains us all.    Polish cra...

Emergency departments are some of the most punishing workplaces in healthcare. Clinicians move in seconds from breaking catastrophic news to families, to resuscitating a dying patient, to reassuring a parent whose child has a simple fever. We rightly talk a lot about patient experience. We talk far less about what these relentless environments do to the people who work in them. A pilot study publi...

We have a climate crisis, housing shortages, and increasing urban disconnection, we need a pioneering radical approach to development that puts nature and human flourishing at its core. Human Nature, led by Joanna Yarrow, are creating living, breathing ecosystems that challenge how we normally go about urban design. "We've boxed ourselves into a corner by having the starting point that we are sepa...

Welcome to this special episode of the Journal of Biophilic Design podcast.  We’re really excited to share this feature from our very first  Biophilic Design Conference , which took place at the iconic Barbican Centre in London. It was a landmark moment — the UK’s first-ever conference dedicated entirely to biophilic design — and we were joined by an amazing lineup of experts, designers...

"The way we've conceived cities for the past 100 years has been far too extractive, far too one-dimensional. We need cities that are more productive, multi-dimensional, and adaptable." Ludo Pittie leads WSP’s 75-strong UK landscape and urban design team, guiding  the company’s landscape strategy and design thinking, and is also driving a global WSP exploration of ‘the Future Ready Landsc...

SUGi creates pocket forests that breathe life into urban spaces. Founded in London and now operating in over 50 cities worldwide, SUGi uses the innovative Miyawaki method to transform small urban areas into thriving, biodiverse ecosystems.   In a space the size of a tennis court, they can plant approximately 600 trees that grow rapidly, creating a mature forest in just a fraction of the time...

US Modernist architecture and Biophilic Design share a philosophical alignment, both fundamentally committed to creating human-centric spaces that celebrate our intrinsic connection to nature. By prioritising natural light, material authenticity, and design that responds to human behavioural patterns, these approaches transform buildings from mere shelters into living, breathing environments.&nbsp...

Did you know 10 million people watched the first episode of Planet Earth III – the same number who visit the Peak District annually ? We're hungry for nature, even if we can't always access it directly. Imagine escaping the concrete jungle without leaving your desk. What if your smartphone could transport you to a misty bluebell woodland or the thundering heart of an Icelandic volcano? Welcome to...

"We're facing enormous challenges - climate crisis, biodiversity loss, social and economic inequity. These are complex, interlinked issues that we cannot solve by simply focusing on embedded and operational carbon." In the urgent battle against climate change, the built environment stands at a critical crossroads. Oliver Heath, well known global biophilic design expert, explains how Biophilic Desi...

Nestled along Mexico's Pacific coast, David Leventhal's Playa Viva is redefining hospitality through a radical commitment to regenerative design. More than just a boutique hotel, it's a living ecosystem where architecture breathes, nature flows freely, and every material tells a story of sustainability. Imagine waking in a treehouse suspended among palm trees, with no doors or windows—just an unin...

If two people could combat our growing urban disconnection, it is Adam White and Andrée Davies of Davies White Limited. I met them at our first Biophilic Design Conference at the Barbican, and immediately warmed to their infectious passion for better landscape design. Design which helps reimagine spaces from playgrounds to hospitals through a beautiful and playful biophilic lens, pulling on our em...

Cities face unprecedented environmental challenges, and it’s no secret that trees offer multiple solutions: reducing urban temperatures, mitigating noise pollution, improving air quality, and supporting mental and physical health. So why then aren’t we planting trees wherever there’s opportunity? As Biophilic Design practitioners, we can help hold this door open to help explain why we need them an...

The concept of eudaimonia, rooted in Aristotelian philosophy, is more than just happiness. Eudaimonia represents a state of good spirit and the realisation of one's full potential. It's about creating environments that support individuals in becoming their best selves across different life stages and circumstances. I sat down with Jenna Mikus to explore the concept and find out how we can weave th...

Nestled in the Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia, is Serenbe, the biophilic community leading the wellness real estate and agrihood movements. It is a neighbourhood focused on wellbeing, full of fresh food and fresh air. This community is set among acres of preserved forests and meadows with miles of nature trails that connect homes and restaurants with arts and businesses. Importantly it is a real-wor...

Architects are increasingly recognising that our built environments do more than shelter us—they fundamentally shape our physical and mental wellbeing. Dr Tuwanda Green, a leading expert in biophilic design, an architect, and who sits on the board of the Biophilic Institute, has over 32 years of architectural experience including working for government design projects, and holds a doctorate i...