Journal of Biophilic Design

Garden designer Lisa Norton has been pushing forward a beautiful biophilic approach to learning spaces that puts nature at the heart of education. For her, biophilic design is proving that our built environments can profoundly impact children's well-being and learning potential. Her journey from corporate sales to garden design was driven by a deep-rooted connection to nature, inspired by childhoo...

Biophilic design is not just an aesthetic choice, but a critical evolution in workplace design. As work becomes increasingly digital and flexible, the traditional office is transforming into a dynamic, nature-integrated environment. We speak with Jeremy Myerson, design writer and Professor Emeritus in the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design at the Royal College of Art, who argues that the future workpl...

" A world where materials are in harmony with nature ." Wouldn’t that be amazing? I truly believe, that biophilic designers can specify this change, and also help scale innovation to make this happen. The global plastics crisis is stark: over 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced annually, with a staggering 99% being fossil-based and 91% never recycled. The plastics industry contributes 3.4%...

The School of Biophilia seeks to foster a deeper connection between people and the natural environment through a comprehensive and innovative educational approach. By creating accessible, curriculum-aligned teaching resources that seamlessly integrate biophilic principles across different subjects, they aim to make nature education engaging and meaningful for children of all backgrounds. The found...

Light profoundly impacts our neurological and biological systems through its connection to our evolutionary history. Our brains are fundamentally programmed to respond to moving, dynamic light sources - which is why we're instinctively transfixed by a candle flame. Artificial light, by contrast, has only existed for 180 years, which is essentially nothing in evolutionary time. This means static wh...

Interior spaces can become sanctuaries that nurture human health, well-being, and our fundamental connection to the living systems around us when we adopt Biophilic Design principles. We speak with Nuria Munoz, interior designer and founder of the Habitarmonia Academy, who shares her experience and offers an inspiring perspective on this transformative power of Biophilic Design.   "Buildings...

How can we design our cities and towns that are not only sustainable but also help us flourish. In this podcast we explore the intersection between One Planet Living and Biophilic Design - two transformative approaches that reimagine our relationship with the natural world. Sue Riddlestone, co-founder of BioRegional, offers a compelling vision of how we can redesign our living spaces to harmonise...

In a world increasingly disconnected from nature, architects like Nick De Klerk are pioneering a transformative approach to design that reconnects humans with their fundamental need for natural environments. "Access and proximity to nature are a basic human need," Nick emphasizes, drawing from his childhood experiences growing up close to nature. Biophilic design is about creating moments of awe,...

In the concrete jungle of modern urban living, we've lost something fundamental: our connection to the natural world. But Biophilic Design is offering a lifeline, promising to transform our cities from sterile, energy-hungry environments into vibrant, living ecosystems that nurture both human health and planetary well-being. We speak with Luke Engleback, who has over 40 years' experience as a desi...

In an inspiring conversation with the Journal of Biophilic Design, Nick Grayson, Birmingham's former climate change and sustainability manager, reveals how cities can revolutionise urban living by putting nature at the heart of decision-making. Nick's journey from a curious child fascinated by understanding "how all this works" to becoming a pioneering urban transformation expert is a testament to...

In the battle against climate change, few sectors are as critical—and challenging—as construction. Simon Corbey, CEO of the Alliance for Sustainable Building Products, is leading a quiet revolution that could transform how we think about the buildings we inhabit and the best bit, it embraces Biophilic Design. With a background spanning chartered surveying, international travel, and a deep commitme...

In a quiet laboratory in Manchester, a quiet revolution is brewing that could dramatically reshape the construction industry's environmental impact. LAMDA, a groundbreaking wool insulation panel, promises to challenge the dominance of petrochemical-based building materials while offering a sustainable, health-conscious alternative. Vicente Orts Mercadillo from Vector Homes and Ruth Marie Mackrodt...

Julian Treasure gives us a stark warning emerges about humanity's growing disconnection from the natural world - and it's happening through our ears. Julian, renowned for his TED talks, reveals how modern human-generated noise is systematically destroying ecosystems, disrupting animal communication, and fundamentally altering our relationship with the environment. From whales struggling to communi...

In the urgent battle against climate change, an unexpected hero is emerging: biophilic design. Far more than a trendy architectural concept, it represents a radical reimagining of how we interact with our built environment. We speak with Tom Dolan, a senior research fellow at UCL and leading voice in sustainable infrastructure. "We're not just adding plants to buildings," Tom explains. "We're talk...

Catching up with some designers leading the way for workplace transformation at the Workspace Design Show in February this year, we learnt that there are more and more designers championing biophilic design as more than just a trend—it's a critical response to human well-being and environmental sustainability. Gurvinder Khurana from M Moser Associates cuts to the heart of the matter: "We are...

In a world increasingly dominated by sterile, lifeless buildings, one architect is on a mission to reawaken our innate connection to the natural world. Amanda, CEO of the Biomimicry Institute, is a passionate advocate for biophilic design - the practice of incorporating elements of nature into the built environment to enhance human health, wellbeing and productivity.    "Many of our buil...

In the heart of London, a quiet revolution is underway, one that is set to transform the way we experience our urban environments. At the forefront of this movement is Scott Carroll and LDA Design, landscape architects whose visionary projects are redefining the relationship between people and nature.   Their work at Great Ormond Street Hospital, a renowned children's medical facility, is a p...

In a world increasingly dominated by artificial environments, the importance of reconnecting with nature has never been more crucial. Xander Cadisch, head of the independent research arm Light Tribe of Phos, is on a mission to illuminate the science behind biophilic design and its profound impact on human behaviour. He explores the electromagnetic spectrum explaining how light is part of the elect...

We recently published Issue 11  https://journalofbiophilicdesign.com/journal-of-biophilic-design-1   of the Journal of Biophilic Design which had a focus on Hotels and leisure and to celebrate this, we are thrilled to have Louis Thompson, Founder of Nomadic Resorts with us on this podcast. Nomadic Resorts  were one of the finalists in the 2023 Stephen Kellert Biophilic Design a...

In an age where the modern workplace is rapidly evolving, a growing chorus of designers and workplace strategists are championing a radical new approach - one that reconnects us with the natural world. At the heart of this movement is the principle of biophilic design, which seeks to infuse our built environments with the rejuvenating power of nature. We speak with Collin Burry, design director at...

Reconnecting with Nature: Charlotte's Biophilic Retreat Offers Healing and Wonder In a secluded corner of the Welsh countryside, internationally renowned singer-songwriter Charlotte has created a sanctuary that blends the power of nature, music, and design. The Dreaming, her newly opened retreat centre, is a testament to her lifelong passion for the restorative qualities of the natural world. Nest...

In an age of increasing urbanisation and digital distractions, a growing movement is seeking to reestablish our innate connection with the natural world. At the forefront of this revolution is Martin Brown, a sustainability consultant and self-proclaimed "provocateur," who is challenging the way we design and inhabit our built environments.   Speaking with Vanessa Champion on The Journal of B...

Lyn Falk is founder and president of Retailworks, Inc. – an award-winning branding, design, display and consulting firm specializing in retail, corporate, and hospitality spaces. She has devoted over 35 years to teaching and helping retailers and business professionals build healthy, purposeful and productive spaces that move hearts, minds & merchandise.  Her expertise in retail...

Talina Edwards, founder of the award-winning architecture firm Envirotecture, shares her passion for sustainable, biophilic design that reconnects people with the natural world. Based in Ballarat, Victoria, Talina and her team are at the forefront of a movement to transform the way homes and buildings are constructed in Australia. "We really care about health, we really care about people, and we r...

In a world increasingly disconnected from nature, the principles of biophilic design offer a powerful antidote. Chintamani Bird, an Australian designer committed to biophilic design, shared her insights on how Biophilic Design can heal both people and the planet. She emphasizes that biophilic design has a profound impact on the brain, reducing stress, improving cognitive function, activating the p...