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.
Barbican’s Director for Building’s and Renewal, Philippa Simpson.
Opening the Biophilic Design Conference was the Barbican’s Director for Building’s and Renewal, Philippa Simpson. Dr Vanessa Champion, founder of the Journal kept the conference boiling in between speaker and “in conversations”.
Oliver Heath
Beginning with a keynote speech by Biophilia’s don, Oliver Heath, the conference was united through its single aim to advocate for the creation of healthy flourishing spaces in the built environment - to reinforce the message of the undeniable and extensive power of biophilia. As Ania Fomicz, EDI coordinator at UWE put it “This is a great initiative. Likeminded people coming together to make history”.
Each talk emphasised the demonstrable benefits for both people and planet. From workplaces to hospitals and healthcare, commercial spaces to schools, each new piece of evidence, each new level of data presented, helped to show just how much biophilia can inform positive decisions. “A paradigm shift is indeed still much needed” said Nuria Munoz, founder of Habitarmonia and conference participant, “And I felt excited this is finally happening”.
Bill Browning recorded a special message which was broadcast to the delegates, and another special treat was the in person appearance of Jojo Mehta, co-founder of Stop Ecocide International. The interdisciplinary nature of the event, cross sector and industry, the lively rhythm of the conference, fast paced and with ample time for networking, is the kickstarter for a whole series of events running in 2025. Seminars, webinars, learning walks, round tables and of course the main annual conference.
Architects shared new exciting projects in offices as well as schools, lighting designers showed how simple changes can make huge differences, the latest legislation against ecocide was presented, academic research shared. “There so much that I didn’t realise” said Helen Kane, access consultant, “The conference gave me millions of practical ideas that you can also take home and apply”.
Arit Anderson, garden designer, writer and presenter on BBC Two’s Gardeners’ World closed the main conference, rounding up the day with words of warmth and green inspiration.
Arit Anderson
The conference offered an opportunity to share and network and also to feel the power of forest drenching - an immersive experience enabled through the plants of the conservatory itself. And as evening light fell, conference participants were joined by additional evening guests, and acclaimed musician Javier Rodriguez, performed the world Premiere of “The Green Book: The Biophilic Suite”. The piece was commissioned by The Journal of Biophilic Design for the conference and was inspired by the Barbican. The beats of the Spanish musician and composer, confirmed the spirit of the day; open, inspiring, collaborative.
To sign up to next year’s series of event, subscribe to the journal to get first access, discounts and also enjoy some of the events free too!
You can buy tickets to watch the Conference on Demand still too (every ticket helps pay for the venue! Thank you for your support, ed.).
Report by Natalie Arestis
Conference Founder Dr Vanessa Champion, Director, Journal of Biophilic Design