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SURFACING BRANDS WITH SOUL - a report on the Surface Design Show 2024

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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."

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Futurebuild 4 -6 March 2025 London ExCeL

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Futurebuild 4 -6 March 2025 London ExCeL

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.

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Surface Design Show 4- 6 February 2025, London

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Surface Design Show 4- 6 February 2025, London

EMBRACE THE WORLD OF MATERIAL INNOVATION

Join thousands of professionals from across the A&D sector, and be inspired by 180 exhibiting companies, dedicated to furthering material innovation.

4-6 February 2025 at the Business Design Centre, Islington, London.

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Chatham House Climate and Energy Summit 18-19 March 2025

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Chatham House Climate and Energy Summit 18-19 March 2025

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

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Designing Healthy, Sustainable BIOPHILIC Buildings for the Future

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Designing Healthy, Sustainable BIOPHILIC Buildings for the Future

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.

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The inaugural Biophilic Design Conference 2024

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The inaugural Biophilic Design Conference 2024

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. 

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Biophilic Desining Enhancing Wellbeing - Part 1

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Biophilic Desining Enhancing Wellbeing - Part 1

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!

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Biophilic Design Enhancing Wellbeing - Part 2

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Biophilic Design Enhancing Wellbeing - Part 2

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!)

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Earth Hour 2024 - Saturday March 23rd at 8.30pm your local time.

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Earth Hour 2024 - Saturday March 23rd at 8.30pm your local time.

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!

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Pioneering Research study aims to prove The Value of Biophilic Design in the workplace.

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Pioneering Research study aims to prove The Value of Biophilic Design in the workplace.

Biophilic Design - the use of plants in providing cleaner air and connecting us with nature, coupled with natural light, certain colours, acoustics, and fragrances - has long been proven to have a positive effect on both mental and physical well-being. For over 25 years, expert horticulturalists Benholm Group have pioneered the use of plants for interiors, not only as an eye-catching focal point, but also to promote the natural health benefits that being surrounded by plants can bring.

This concept has now been brought to the forefront of a new research study led by Sustainability Lead at House of Commons + PhD Researcher, Joyce Chan-Schoof to question if we can apply a social and economic value to biophilic design.

Can biophilic design add value to the workplace - not only through improving air quality and aesthetics, but can it have a tangible impact on employee productivity, retention, absenteeism, satisfaction, engagements and up-skilling?

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How Biophilic Design creates Sustainable Environments

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How Biophilic Design creates Sustainable Environments

Connecting to the environment makes people feel more relaxed in their homes and workplaces. Incorporating nature indoors has become increasingly popular after the pandemic, we are seeing more people decorating their homes with plants and natural materials. The Biophilic Design concept can create a unique look and is excellent for the environment.

Here are some ways biophilic design creates a sustainable space.

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Healthy Home - Pop up Biophilic Design inspiration

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Healthy Home - Pop up Biophilic Design inspiration

Westfield London is launching a biophilic-designed home pop-up called ‘Healthy Home’, with renowned sustainable and wellbeing designer Oliver Heath, working with a range of home and interior brands to curate an exclusive collection inspired by biophilia. Visitors to the pop-up, which will be live between 19th to 22nd May, will be able to discover the benefits of biophilic design and how to transform their own homes into mindful and restorative spaces through clever designs that focus on various approaches, ranging from sensory design to supporting biodiversity.

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Space and Nature are a Need, not a Luxury

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Space and Nature are a Need, not a Luxury

From Edible bus-stops to pocket parks and Roof gardens on the tops of London Banks, journalist Hartley Milner takes us on a trip around the UK and London highlighting the difference nature has made to spaces, and how clever and heart-felt use of Nature in Design has transformed lives.

Read on for not only some interesting statistics but also there is a compelling interview with the architect of the beautiful and inspiring Maggie’s Cancer Care centre in Southampton.

Why the Hospitality Industry needs Biophilic Design

Why the Hospitality Industry needs Biophilic Design

Why the Hospitality Industry needs Biophilic Design

As many of us are aware, the benefits of bringing nature into your life include reduced stress and anxiety, creating clarity of mind and increased creativity. The hospitality industry needs nature to meet sustainability goals as well as bringing unique benefits to people in their venues, subsequently attracting additional customers. One of the main benefits of visiting hospitality spaces incorporating nature, include reduced stress and anxiety, and enhanced relaxation and enjoyment…

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‘Biophilic Design in the Home’ – a new online course from the Oliver Heath Design School

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‘Biophilic Design in the Home’ – a new online course from the Oliver Heath Design School

Have you ever wanted to really ground yourself in Biophilic Design?

We have teamed up with Oliver Heath to give you 10% off their level 2 course. ‘Biophilic Design in the Home’ is perfect for anyone who wants to learn more about Biophilic Design, whether you’re a designer looking to add another string to your bow or are simply interested in helping yourself and others feel happier and healthier..

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Farming and Town Centres – the future of shopping and grazing

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Farming and Town Centres – the future of shopping and grazing

There were two articles in the FT at the weekend (5/6 December 2020) which caught my eye. One of them was about British farming written by a farmer calling for a bit of sense. With the fall-out that is going to rain down on us from leaving the EU, one of the industries that will feel the pinch will be British farming. For years now farmers have received subsidies and been flooding the land and soils with artificial aids such as fertiliser and chemical sprays in order to stress the land to produce more. …

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Why we should live together - Part 1 . PLANTS & AIR

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Why we should live together - Part 1 . PLANTS & AIR

You may have heard of the “sick building syndrome” where the actual building we live and work in is making us sick. There are a mass of chemicals that are hidden in the paint we use, the cushions and chairs we sit on, the clothes we wear, the carpets we walk on… it can cause everything from coughs, allergies, skin problems, dry eyes, right down to cancers and inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract.

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The Ancient & The Modern: Luminous Spaces Biophilic Design

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The Ancient & The Modern: Luminous Spaces Biophilic Design

I became aware of the topic of biophilic design in 2008 through an online presentation by Stephen Kellert, former Professor Emeritus of Social Ecology & Senior Research Scholar, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies at Yale University.

I immediately recognized a kinship between my work in feng shui and this new discipline and have dedicated the last decade to studying and, eventually earned a certificate in biophilic design from the International Living Future Institute earlier this year. (See my earlier post on The Intersection of Feng Shui & Biophilic Design)…

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