Journal of biophilic design - articles, research, podcasts, videos on biophilia
The RSPB will host a unique live event, ‘A Night of Nature’, at London’s Troxy on September 6, 2025. An audiovisual celebration of the natural world which is open to all, the one-off experience will blend cinema with the immediacy of a concert, thanks to live music synched to stunning footage of natural habitats and species, performed by multi-million selling vocal group (and X Factor finalists) G4 and the Vesper String Quartet.
We talk about living buildings but what if a building could really be “alive”?
I attended a fascinating presentation of research at the Royal Institution, Professor Martyn Dade-Robertson revealed a future where buildings aren't just constructed—they're grown. Imagine foundations that heal themselves, walls that breathe, and roofs that respond to sunlight, all created by microscopic organisms working in harmony.
Robertson's research shows how bacteria can literally strengthen the ground beneath our feet. By introducing specially engineered microbes into soil, these tiny organisms can produce calcium carbonate crystals that bind soil particles together, creating foundations more resilient than traditional concrete methods.
Mycelium, the root network of mushrooms, is continually being celebrated as a revolutionary material for insulation, packaging, alternatives to plastics, but now, in experiments with NASA, Robertson's team have demonstrated how this fungal network could potentially create structures on Mars, growing insulation and structural components in resource-limited environments. A full-scale mycelium structure built in New York completely biodegraded within just four months of being dismantled.
The most fascinating aspect is the materials' ability to self-heal. Mycelium can "biologically weld" itself, fusing broken components back together. Bacterial cellulose can create surfaces that respond to light, changing colour like living skin—imagine walls that tan in sunlight or tiles that darken to provide shade.
These aren't just theoretical concepts. Robertson's team has already explored the waterproof nature of mushrooms. Hydrophobins are proteins which play a crucial role in mycelium's hydrophobicity (waterproofness!). They self-assemble at air-water interfaces, creating a hydrophobic layer on the surface of the mycelium. So the scientists have researched this hydrophobic behaviour and have tested coatings derived from bacterial proteins that can protect materials and make them fire-resistant. One experiment showed a piece of balsa wood treated with their protein coating survived a fire that would have quickly consumed an untreated piece.
READ ON…
Biophilic Design helps us combat the plastic pollution. The Biophilia hypothesis helps decisions which are better for our planet and us.
Join millions of people reducing their plastic waste.
Plastic Free July™ is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. If you are implementing Biophilic Design as close as possible as you can to the original principles you will already have taken HUGE steps towards combatting how much plastic is in our environment. So thank you. Please encourage as many other designers as you can to look at the principles of Biophilic Design.
To coincide with the publication of Issue 15 of The Light issue of the Journal of Biophilic Design, light aficionado Xander Cadisch writes.
We live bathed in an ocean of light, yet rarely consider how its invisible waves shape our very biology. Modern research reveals what ancient healers intuited—that light isn't just something we see, but a vital nutrient that regulates our cells, hormones, and nervous system. The implications for how we design our spaces are profound.
At the heart of this revelation lies a simple truth: different colours of light act as distinct biological signals. Take red light, for instance. With wavelengths between 630-700 nanometres, it penetrates deep into our tissues, stimulating mitochondria—those tiny power plants within our cells. This isn't speculative science, it's therapy approved by regulatory bodies like the FDA, now used to accelerate wound healing and ease arthritis pain. Hospitals are beginning to harness this knowledge, installing red light panels in recovery rooms where patients benefit from its regenerative properties.
Read on….
Workspace Design Show (25 – 26 February 2026, Business Design Centre, London)announces the launch of the Workspace Design Awards, a brand-new awards programme dedicated exclusively to celebrating outstanding workplace design and its impact on business. The 2026 London edition of the Workspace Design Show will see the first awards take place on 25 February 2026, giving recognition to architectural innovation, user experience and creativity that is redefining how, where, and why we work.
Workspace Design Show is a must-attend event for the commercial interiors community and this new awards programme expands the Workspace Design Show offering, creating a new platform to honour both completed workplace projects and visionary designs.
What sets the Workspace Design Awards apart is its commitment to real end user impact and evaluation, as such the judging panel will be exclusively composed of corporate occupiers, developers, and project management firms, bringing a rounded assessment of entries. Judges include, Steve Wright, Director of Workplace Design & Change Management, GSK, Helena Hughes, Director, Global Occupier Services, Savills, James Stratford, Head of Workplace, AXA XL, Sarah Audsley, Partner, Knight Frank and others.
The awards ceremony will be hosted by Alys Bryan, Editor, Design Insider and Anna King, CEO and Founder, Informare and will be held in a beautifully designed feature space within the show, brought to life by leading architects and designers. Guests can expect an evening of celebration, complete with drinks, canapés, and a lively atmosphere, coupled with the opportunity to connect with the industry.
READ ON and ENTER THE AWARDS
Biophilic influence from the 2025 RHS Chelsea Flower Show Something that could be perceived as outdated, yet still prevails, is that many people visit the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show expecting to be wowed by the grandness of the gardens, much like they were in days of old; when the big corporates sponsored designers to build extravagant, potentially unachievable (to us mortals) works of art, with very little thought around the environmental impact of materials used, construction methods and certainly not a whisper of sustainability - gasp, what even is that? Thankfully, the tide has truly turned and we now see more focus on what is going on behind the scenes with an insistence on rehoming the gardens and a strong encouragement on using sustainable materials, planning clever water capture methods and building with minimal ground disturbance. This year, it was also wonderful to see so many of the planting schemes blending foraging, feeding and biodiversity needs, using companion planting and showing an in-depth knowledge of ecosystems, thus demonstrating how we as mere consumers can future-proof our own green spaces. I felt visitors were given renewed confidence that experimenting is actually okay, and gained vital inspiration in ways to interact with their own garden. READ ON….
For us Biophilic Design is ESSENTIAL for third age design. Check out the interview we did with Lori Pinkerton-Rolet, one of the leading names in older care interior design, and someone every Biophilic Desiner should follow. Lori is speaking at the new Care Innovation Summit, taking place on 19 June 2025 at the Business Design Centre, London.
Though new in name, the event will feel familiar to many. It brings together two of the sector’s most respected conferences - The Future of Care Leaders Conference and Dementia Summit - organised by Broadway Events, a leading name in care sector events since 2011. In response to the growing number of industry events, Broadway Events has streamlined its offering, merging these flagship events into a single three-stream conference, making it easier than ever for care professionals to access key insights in one place.
Alongside dedicated content on the Future of Care and Dementia Care, the event introduces a Healthcare Design & Build stream, bringing together decision-makers, innovators and frontline professionals to explore the future of care, its challenges and its opportunities.
READ ON AND BOOK TICKETS
Get your jazz hands ready and lets celebrate sustainable design. Surface - the annual design showthat takes place in London’s Design hub in Islington each February, was a vibrant showcase ofbrands - international, as well as domestic, being creative in their mission to help our planet.
As Nickie West, Managing Director of Surface Design Show explains: "The theme for 2024focuses on the ambition to design well while doing good – with a conscious effort to protect our planet by aiming for zero waste manufactures and sustainable alternatives.
The natural world remains a key influence on the design industry, inspiring new techniques andprocesses, as well as offering a wealth of material substitutes."
Join Futurebuild from 04 – 06 March 2025 at London’s ExCeL, the most impactful event in sustainable innovation for the built environment. Discover the latest products, solutions, and insights that will help you achieve your sustainability goals and drive meaningful change.
As Futurebuild celebrates its 20th anniversary, the theme for 2025 is Impact—marking two decades of driving positive change in the built environment and the communities we serve. Be part of this milestone event and contribute to shaping a more sustainable future. Register nowfor your free ticket.
On the road to COP30, join governments and businesses for two days of interactive discussion exploring strategies to secure a resilient future. Two days of high-level panel dialogues, networking sessions and an interactive workshop under the Chatham House Rule will focus on multi-stakeholder collaboration for increased ambition, action and impact.
Join us!
Chatham House Climate and Energy Summit
18-19 March 2025 | In-person and broadcast live
As the climate crisis and mental health challenges collide, the built environment has a crucial role to play in supporting human wellbeing. In a wide-ranging discussion, hosted at Anticipate London, and chaired by Dr Vanessa Champion, founder and editor of the Journal of Biophilic Design, experts from the fields of architecture, sustainability, and design explored how green buildings can nurture both physical and mental health. Watch the discussion with Rob Buckley, Head of Sustainability at QODA Consulting, Astrid Hugo, Senior Sustainability Specialist, at Gensler and Anthony Thistleton-Smith, Co-Founder of Waugh Thistleton Architects.
EARTHDAY.ORG, the global leader in Earth Day advocacy, observed by over one billion people each April 22, is excited to announce the launch of a new campaign inviting business leaders worldwide to champion climate education in schools, colleges, and vocational training programs across the globe.
More reasons why we need Biophilic Designers in every sector….
London’s iconic Barbican conservatory couldn’t have been more fitting for a conference dedicated to the immense benefits of a world designed with biophilic principles. Visionaries, designers, architects, lawyers, academics, entrepreneurs, advocates and professionals across various walks in life, came together to share their perspectives for one full day in a series of talks.
This was part 1 of an interview with Jeffrey Hart of the Building Sustainability Podcast. Tables were turned and he was interviewing our founder, Vanessa Champion.
In this episode, guest Vanessa Champion discusses biophilia and biophilic design, emphasizing the importance of nature connection and its benefits for well-being and the environment. We explore underappreciated biophilic patterns, healthcare benefits, materials, and so much more.
Overall, the focus is on improving the built environment for people and the planet through biophilic design.
Part 1!
I really enjoyed this discussion with the lovely Jeffrey Hart, this is Part 2.
In this episode, we explors the fascinating world of biophilic design and its potential impact on sustainable and ethical practices. We delve into the use of clay, earth materials, and mushroom mycelium as tactile and eco-friendly alternatives. The episode also touches upon the challenges of promoting green alternatives in mainstream industries and the potential positive effects of biophilic design on employee ethics and productivity.
Lastly, Vanessa highlights the growing popularity of biophilic design and its numerous benefits, from improved air quality to increased real estate value.
Tune in for an intriguing discussion on incorporating nature into indoor spaces for a more sustainable and enjoyable environment.
Building Sustainability Podcast (Part 2!)
We are pleased to be a media partner for The Workspace Design Show again for 2025 with their shows in London and Amsterdam.
Workspace Design Show will feature Umbrella Furniture as the lead partner for the talks areas at the 2025.
London edition, designed by Gensler and Ryder Architecture.
Launched in 2021, Workspace Design Show brings together world-class design and manufacturing industry excellence, the 2025 editions, which take place in London (26 - 27 Feb) and Amsterdam (5 - 6 Nov), feature a stunning line-up of brands, including König + Neurath, Ahrend , Interface, Tarkett, Kettal, Bisley, and Interstuhl.
Brands at the London Show will include Swiss design heritage brand USM, global office furniture manufacturer Spacestor, leading contract furniture manufacturer Brunner, renowned Spanish brand Expormin and British manufacturer, Bisley.
Esha & Charlie Bark-Jones, Workspace Design Show founders, said, 'We are proud to work with such an exemplary community of international design brands and industry experts across both our London and Amsterdam shows. Providing a world-class platform that brings industry experts together to exchange knowledge and connect, with the goal of transforming the employee experience in our workplaces. We are excited to see the 2025 content developing so well with such amazing partners and design content—watch this space!'
workspaceshow.co.uk
EARTHDAY.ORG, the force behind Earth Day, is joining up with ZeroWaste.org to celebrate International Day of Zero Waste. Designated by the UN to be marked on March 30th, it aims to encourage us all to rethink our consumption habits in general and this year to specifically reduce the amount of single-use plastic we use.
With recycling failing to scratch the surfaceof the plastic pollution problem, EARTHDAY.ORG advocates for a 60% reduction in the production of plastics by 2040. A goal we can reach given that half of ALL plastic we produce annually is single use. This partnership showcases a shared commitment to end the scourge of plastic pollution.
"Reducing the amount of plastic we produce is the only way we will solve this issue, and we can support this goal individually by rejecting the casual use of single use plastic in our lives. International Day of Zero Waste allows us to showcase to plastic producers and manufacturers that we really don't want these products anymore," says Michael Karapetian, The Great Global Cleanup Coordinator at EARTHDAY.ORG.
International Day of Zero Waste highlights EARTHDAY.ORG's continued focus on the serious health risks associated with plastics, as they break down into smaller particles known as microplastics, and plastic related additive chemicals leach out of them. These have been linked to some cancers, heart attacks, strokes, Alzheimer’s, endocrine disruption, male infertility, miscarriage, obesity and much more.
"By actively removing plastics and other waste from our lives, we are aiming to protect the environment from pollution as well as the health and safety of both ourselves and the people who live near the production of plastic. Ultimately, the solution is to reduce plastic production at the source." says Lydia McMullen-Laird, co-founder of ZeroWaste.org.
Join EARTHDAY.ORG and ZeroWaste.org by signing a pledge to go zero waste on March 30th, and gain access to resources and tips on living zero waste
Did you know that every year, millions of people turn off their energy use all around the globe for an hour.
“Earth Hour is moment of unity that brings the world together, shines a spotlight on nature loss and the climate crisis, and inspires millions more to act and advocate for urgent change. Each year, we work together to turn a single Earth Hour into thousands and millions of hours of action for our one shared home.”
I’d like to invite you to do the same. Switch off and Give an hour for Earth on Saturday, March 23rd at 8:30 pm your local time. Together, let's create the Biggest Hour for Earth!
A greater global emphasis on sustainability has caused biophilic design to gain mainstream attention, but the construction industry also has a part to play. Here’s how construction professionals can help take biophilic design’s popularity to the next level.
The simplest way the construction industry can popularize biophilic design is by exposing it to more people. Most of the population lives in big cities, so these locations are the most practical places to start. Greenifying our urban centres will improve the quality of life and give city dwellers a much-needed dose of nature.
