Conference Speakers

Steve Nygren - Keynote

**Steve Nygren is the President and Founder of Serenbe,** which has won numerous awards, including the Urban Land Institute Inaugural Sustainability Award. Steve is also on the Board of Directors along with Bill Browning for the Biophilic Institute. Serenbe is a wellness community created as a model to demonstrate that preserving 70% of green space interlaced with agriculture, housing and retail is not only economically viable but the future of community wellbeing. Steve currently serves on multiple national boards dealing with children, agriculture and environmental issues including The Ray C. Anderson Foundation, Children & Nature Network, Chattahoochee Now and Wholesome Wave.

Tye Farrow - Keynote

Senior Partner, Farrow Partners Architects Working at the intersection of architecture and neuroscience, Tye is a world-recognized pioneer in tackling how our built environments either give or cause health. The first Canadian architect to earn a Master of Neuroscience Applied to Architecture, he is a much sought-after speaker, having presented to respected organizations in over fifty-five cities on six continents.

In his first, best selling book, published by University of Toronto Press, titled Constructing Health: How the Built Environment Enhances Your Mind’s Health, Tye explores the relationship between placemaking, mind health, and human performance, at the intersection of neuroscience and architecture.

https://www.farrowpartners.ca

Tye will be speaking about:

Constructing Health: How the Built Environment Enhances Your Mind’s Health

Synopsis: How do buildings make us feel? How can they make us feel better?

Through research at the emerging intersection of neuroscience and architecture, Tye Farrow will explore how our mind, and its various sensory systems, interacts with our built environment to enhance or harm our health and well-being. Tye bridges the gap in knowledge between the therapeutic medical world and the design community to reveal how the intentional shaping of our environment can support our physical and neurological well-being, through recent discoveries in cognitive psychology (the science of the mind) and neuroscience (the science of the brain).

Oliver Heath - keynote

Oliver Heath is founder and director of Oliver Heath Design, who are recognised thought leaders in health & wellbeing in the built environment. They are researchers, designers, and advocates for the creation of healthy flourishing spaces in the built environment, benefiting both people and planet.
Having spent 15 years working for TV channels such as BBC, ITV and Channel 4, published 4 books, 8 white papers, online courses and presenting over 500 RIBA certified CPDs on Biophilic Design, Oliver has vast experience in knowledge creation and presentation.
Design clients benefitting from his company’s nature first approach include Apple, Bloomberg, The BRE, Accor, Interface and the John Lewis Partnership.
Oliver is a passionate advocate of sustainable design and has acted as a spokesperson for the likes of the UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), the Energy Saving Trust (EST) and the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP). www.oliverheathdesign.com

Adam White

**Adam White was the 43rd President of the Landscape Institute. He is a chartered landscape architect and director of Davies White Ltd.** In 2012 was made a Fellow of the Landscape Institute for his work promoting children's health and well-being. In 2019 he co-designed the RHS back to Nature Gardens with HRH The Duchess of Cambridge and fellow landscape architect Andree Davies. He is now the Convenor of the College of Fellows at the Landscape Institute.

Adrian Wong

UK Forest Lead, SUGi.

Adrian is a dedicated regenerative planting specialist with a keen interest in replicating natural ecosystems to benefit biodiversity. As a student of the natural world, he strives to bring nature into the Urban landscape. A passion developed from his time travelling and observing how society benefits most when nature and humanity can coexist. He will be speaking about:
**Biodiversity & Belonging: why wild urban spaces matter.**
Every citizen deserves access to thriving, biodiverse nature. SUGi is a model of urban renewal rooted in ownership, pride, and shared responsibility. We transform urban spaces through hyper-local pocket forests.
From climate resilience to improving mental health, we’ll explore how wild urban spaces and nature connectedness can restore our sense of belonging — and how this, in turn, supports biodiversity and human well-being.
SUGi is a story of hope: living proof that when nature returns, so does health, connection, and resilience.

Andrée Davies

**Andrée is a Director of Davies White Ltd and Fellow of the Royal Chartered Landscape Institute.** She is a multi RHS gold medal award winning designer specialising in child centred play and therapeutic landscapes. She is a design member of BALI and has been a practising Landscape Architect for 25years after graduating from Leeds Metropolitan University. She is also a Graduate of Plants & Plantsmanship at the English Gardening School at the Chelsea Physic Garden in London.
Andrée is a passionate advocate for nature connectedness and design quality and has chaired many award judging panels. She places particular emphasis on horticulture and making a place for nature in the built environment.
Andrée is a member of the Association of Project Management, and has been awarding and managing construction contracts for 25 years. She is also a visiting Tutor at the London College of Garden Design based at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Clare Bowman

Clare Bowman is an Architect Academic, Sustainability Leader and Co-founder of RCZM. Well-regarded for her innovative work in biophilic and sustainable educational spaces, she has collaborated extensively on research-based projects that integrate natural elements into school designs. Her work with Putney High School’s “Biophilic Classroom” initiative was awarded RHS Chelsea Gold medal in 2021.
Clare actively shares insights on biophilic design in educational settings, highlighting the importance of integrating green infrastructure, improving air quality, and creating adaptable spaces that support both mental and physical health. Her work emphasizes the impact of sustainable design on educational outcomes, enabling schools to create nurturing nature-based environments.
Contribution to publications include ‘Designing Places for People’ and ‘Intelligent Building and Infrastructure with social Values Third Edition’ publications by Professor Derek Clements Croome and “The Economics of Biophilic Design, 2nd Edition” by Terrapin, Bright Green.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-bowman-796a12bb/
Instagram @clare_bowman_rczm_architects
www.rczm.co.uk
Clare will be speaking about: **Nature-Based Solutions for Schools**
RCZM Architects will share their guidance and real-world case studies on integrating nature-based solutions within school environments. This session will explore the benefits of applying the London Plan Urban Greening Factor Tool and developing a campus-wide estates nature based vision to deliver sustainable, viable, and wellbeing-focused outcomes.
By combining innovative design with ecological thinking, RCZM demonstrates how schools can create greener, healthier learning environments that also enhance community engagement and access to nature
“The quality of the speakers and the breadth of nature-based solutions shared at last year’s conference created an exceptionally immersive peer-to-peer learning environment. Having the opportunity to speak with pioneers and legends of biophilic design, as well as meeting attendees new to the subject, made for a wonderfully refreshing and positive atmosphere”

Professor Derek Clements-Croome

Professor Clements-Croome has a rich background in building design and contracting before his academic career. He established a BSc in Building Environmental Engineering at Loughborough University in 1970 and launched an MSc in Intelligent Buildings at Reading University in 1996. With experience at the University of Bath (1978-1988), he founded the CIBSE Intelligent Buildings Group in 2006 and co-founded the Natural Ventilation Group in 1992.
He was a member of the UK Green Building Council team who wrote the Report Health and Wellbeing in Homes ---July 2016 and the World Green Council Report on Health and Wellbeing in Offices 2014. He contributed to the BCO Report 2018 on Wellness Matters: the Guide to Specification 2019 and reports on Ventilation for COVID 19 in 2021 and also with PLP Architecture The Use of Wearables in the Office in 2021.
As a commissioner on air quality and biodiversity in London, he has contributed to various reports on health, wellbeing, and sustainability. His book, *Designing Buildings for People*, was published in 2020, and he is currently working on a new edition of *Intelligent Buildings*, was published this Autumn 2024.
https://derekcroome.com

Emma Moody

Emma Moody is Associate Director for Service Development and Commissioning at Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, based in Bristol. With over 20 years of experience in the NHS, Emma has dedicated her career to improving services for people living with mental ill health and learning disabilities.
Her professional journey has been rooted in commissioning, where she led the development of multi-million-pound transformational programmes in dementia care and talking therapies. Three years ago, she transitioned into the provider landscape, bringing her strategic insight directly into service delivery.
Emma is currently leading the development of a new 10-bed unit and outreach team for people with learning disabilities and autistic people who are experiencing mental ill health. The facility has been designed with biophilic principles at its heart and shaped through full co-production with people who have lived experience—ensuring that recovery is not just clinical, but driven by people who know what it really is like.
https://www.awp.nhs.uk/
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/emma-moody-b2574759
Emma will be speaking about: **The Kingfisher: Integrating Biophilic Design into Mental Health, Learning Disability, and Autism Care Settings** // This talk explores the development of The Kingfisher in Bristol and demonstrates how biophilic design can be central to inpatient ward environments. It highlights the pivotal role of leadership in driving this initiative and considers how these principles can inspire future design approaches. The new unit is designed to support individuals with a treatable mental health condition who have a learning disability and autistic people.
“I’m excited to share the innovative work we’ve been leading at Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust on our new inpatient unit. This project showcases how biophilic design can transform care environments—not just for those who use the service, but also for those who visit and work within it. My hope is that others embarking on similar initiatives will see the value of integrating nature-inspired design into mental health, learning disability, and autism settings.”

Fran Board

Fran is a designer and researcher with over a decade of experience at the intersection between sound and architecture. At Moodsonic, she works with major organisations integrating sound and science into workplace and healthcare projects. Her work bridges research and practice – translating insights from science into design strategies. Fran has published peer-reviewed research, led workplace studies, authored industry articles, and delivers accredited training for architects and designers about sound and design.

Fran will be speaking about: From Ideas to Action: Biophilic Soundscaping in Practice

Biophilic design is evolving into ever-more immersive, multi-sensory experiences that connect people and place. This talk explores real-world projects where designers are integrating biophilic sound and other responsive technologies to create spaces that feel more restorative and adapt to people’s changing needs.

“Last year’s Biophilic Design Conference was incredible! I came away so inspired by the research and creative work happening across different disciplines. We’re excited to be part of the event again this year – to learn about the change that’s underway, meet people across the industry, and share our own work around sound, wellbeing, and responsive biophilic design.”

Julian Treasure

Julian Treasure is the world’s leading expert on conscious communication. His mission is to regenerate the world's listening, transforming communication breakdowns and noise into connection, well-being, productivity, and profit.
Julian Treasure, acclaimed author and TED speaker with over 160 million views, equips leaders and organisations to master conscious listening and speaking. His work transforms miscommunication and disengagement into connection, productivity, and profit, tackling the $10 trillion cost of miscommunication worldwide.
Julian Treasure is the world’s leading authority on conscious communication, with over two decades dedicated to transforming how individuals and organisations connect through skilled listening and powerful speaking.
https://www.juliantreasure.com

Kimberly Tryba

WAs managing principal at LILA Studio, Kimberly spearheads the firm’s global business development efforts and manages the New York City-based firm’s operations. Prior to founding LILA, Kimberly managed a global landscape architecture practice where she developed strategies for sustainable growth for offices in New York, London and Shanghai.
Kimberly’s commitment to the industry extends beyond the workplace. An active member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) since 2012, she sits on the board of the New York State Council of Landscape Architects (NYSCLA) and Metro Hort LLC and serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of ASLA’s Landscape Architecture Magazine. Previously co-chair of the NJASLA Annual Conference (2020 & 2021), Kimberly currently co-chairs the Advocacy Committee for ASLA-NY and a number of prominent industry events including PlanScapeArch, an annual joint symposium sponsored by the New York Chapters of ASLA, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the American Planning Association (APA) that engenders cross-disciplinary discourse about critical topics affecting the urban realm of New York City.

Ludo Pittie

Ludo Pittie is Director for Landscape Advisory. Regenerative design underpins his approach to reshaping both built and natural environments for all lives and all stages of life. As a polymath, his expertise is founded upon landscape and urban design and integrates natural capital, nature-based solution, stewardship, nature finance and social value.
Ludo supports our clients with funding both nature restoration at scale and nature in cities; built upon his experience with Islington NEIRF, North Yorkshire LINC and Somerset Investment Roadmap.
Ludo will be speaking about: Financing Nature in Cities

Luke Engleback

Luke Engleback, a Chartered Landscape Architect with over 33 years experience of environmental design and planning in the UK and abroad. Studio Engleback is an environmental design practice that specialises in **ecourbanism**, a whole system approach to planning and design that addresses climate change, resource depletion and flexibility as a response to making places for people.
https://www.studioengleback.com

Mark Catchlove

Director – Insight and Strategy Services - MillerKnoll Global Research & Planning
Mark and his team are responsible for sharing the latest thinking in workplace design and related issues. He has been at the company for over 25 years and over that time has become a respected contributor to the workplace community. He has delivered more than 700 seminars around the world. He has been employed in the office interiors industry for 40 years, working with many leading public and private sector organisations.
Mark is chairing and introducing a panel discussion for us. We are also incredibly grateful for MillerKnoll’s continued support for this year’s conference.
“*Having attended the first Biophilic Conference last year, I’m confident this year’s event will feature a diverse lineup of speakers who will deepen our understanding of the subject.*”

Mathew Page

Mathew is the Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Avon and Wiltshire Partnership Trust, delivering mental health and learning disability services in the southwest. A registered nurse, Mathew has integrated nature-based approaches into his clinical practice and now champions this work within his organisation and the wider health system. He is committed to research and advancing the evidence base for nature-based interventions, actively involved in projects that evaluate impact. Mathew is a regular writer and speaker on the therapeutic benefits of nature. He recently completed an MA in Nature Writing at Bath Spa University, deepening his commitment to connecting people, health, and the natural world.
“The 2024 conference was the highlight of my professional year. The fast-paced presentations were packed with insight, and I left feeling inspired—with fresh ideas, renewed motivation, and a long list of new contacts.”

Nick Grayson

Former Climate Change, Sustainability and Green City Manager, Birmingham City Council
Retired March 2023, after 43 years at Birmingham City Council, holding posts including Climate Change & Sustainability Manager and Green City Manager. Co-author City of Nature Plan. 25 years as a part-time Senior Research Fellow at University of Birmingham, with national and international research on sustainable cities and their governance, climate, nature and air quality. Founding member of the global Biophilic Cities Network. On government working parties for National Ecosystem Assessment Follow-on, 25 Year Environment Plan. Collaborated with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development to upgrade their Zero Emission City model.
Nick will be speaking about: **How to map cities to change where you’re heading.** Welcome to cities. We nearly all live in one. They are responsible for 75% of greenhouse gas emissions, and 75% of natural resource consumption; and return 80% of global GDP. Yet nation states and the UN COP’s are blind to them. Their current governance models fail to address these concerns. Learn why and how to change that, making climate and nature central to decision-makers. By taking a Biophilic Governance approach it’s possible to build organisational capacity. To change the narrative to one of hope and opportunity for citizens, partners and to attract new investors.

Rob Delius

Head of Sustainability, Stride Treglown. Rob is an award-winning architect and the sustainability lead at Stride Treglown. His work focuses on communicating the environmental challengesand inspiring hope for an ecologically regenerative future. His 2022 climate installation won Architects JournalCollaboration of the Year and last year he instigated and led an international action around biodiversity loss. He has been sustainability advisor to the RIBA Southwest awards and the winner of multiple RIBA design competitions.Robert Delius - Associate Director -Stride Treglown

“I am delighted to be invited to speak again at the Biophilic Design Conference. Events like these are really important in getting the message out there that genuine nature and people-positive solutions exist. I'm sure I was not the only one who left last year's conference feeling energised, inspired and hopeful about the future.”