The COP26 Nature Pilgrimage

The COP26 Nature Pilgrimage

Loss of biodiversity, loss of productivity of our lands, emergence of new disease threats, now, here in 2021 we are on a tipping point. COP26 is a focus of concerns and we hope action. Glen Cousquer is a lecturer on the MSc and MVetSci programmes in One Health and Conservation Medicine at the University of Edinburgh. This podcast expounds a passionate philosophy on how we should educate and collaborate, as well as understand and co-exist with our natural world, our home.

We talk about a Biotic and a wider connection to life. How Biophilic Design is a physical incarnation of that connection. How COP26 will see multiple generations speaking out more clearly than ever across our global village. We are seeing the emergence of a new discourse and Glen’s advocation of “Awareness Based Action Research” which he teaches, which is a fast-cycle learning through deeper listening, using humility and empathy. Glen also describes the COP26 Pilgrimage…

The Power of Sound

The Power of Sound

Julian Treasure is a leading Ted Speaker and founder of The Sound Agency. We catch up with him to talk about how sound affects us on four different levels: physiologically, psychologically, cognitively and behaviourally. He discusses dynamic biophilic soundscapes and how we can use nature in improving acoustics and how we should be using good sonic design and aural architecture to make the places we work in, learn in and heal in, better.

Complex Patterns, Biodiversity & Nature Views

Complex Patterns, Biodiversity & Nature Views

Environmental Psychology is the study of the relationship between people and their physical environment. They look at how psychological processes (emotions, behaviours and cognitions) are place-related and place-dependent. In other words, they look at how environments influence people -- as well as on how people influence the environment. We speak to Melissa Marselle, academic, writer and environmental psychologist about patterns in nature and how creating a biodiverse environment has positive impact not just on the natural world but also us as human beings and our cognitive and physical health. We also speak about Goldilocks...

Vertical Gardens with Daniel Bell

Vertical Gardens with Daniel Bell

Daniel Bell is an award winning landscape garden design guru, he is also a pioneer of successful eco sustainable vertical gardens. We catch up with him to find out what he plants, why he uses the system he does and how it works. He gives us a demo in the video as well, which is really well worth watching. He was inspired by French botanist, Patrick Blanc, and went on to champion this incredibly low-tech vertical garden solution…

Sustainable Architecture and Biophilic Design

Sustainable Architecture and Biophilic Design

What happens when conservation and sustainable design come together? It naturally seems to manifest itself in Biophilic Design. We all know that the benefits of designing with our natural environment in mind, are many: not only in terms of our own physical and mental health, but also to lessen the impact on our beautiful planet. Our built environment has such an important impact on our daily lives that we should be mindful when we are designing urban spaces, civic architecture and homes. ..

Biophilic Design in the Ancient World

Biophilic Design in the Ancient World

Yes, you read that correctly! Over 2000 years ago the Romans were designing homes with outdoor spaces and were also creating virtual nature walls. They had ambitions to create healthier cleaner air, wanted improved scents and less noise pollution specifically to improve health and wellbeing. I speak with Dr Patty Baker, about her research on identifying the connection between Roman conceptions of “pure air” and physical and mental health in Pompeiian gardens, and especially on the mutli-sensory approach the Romans took to ancient medicine…

Beyond the Workplace Zoo

Beyond the Workplace Zoo

We’ve not been in our respective “Workplace Zoos” for over a year now as a result of “Lockdown” and we’ve got an opportunity RIGHT NOW to improve those spaces we work in. So argues Dr Nigel Oseland, who many of you might know as the inquisitive environmental psychologist, behaviourist, statistics sleuth, author, agent of change and broadcaster. Nigel argues that contrary to some workplace strategists (and employers worried about the bottom line) we should NOT get rid of space, instead we should make the most of it. Reduce the desks yes, but not the space. He describes how we should be…

Creating an Office to Love. The Biophilic Office Project - Part 1

Creating an Office to Love. The Biophilic Office Project - Part 1

How do we create an office that people are going to love to come to? During the Covid pandemic most of us worked from home and now Lockdown is easing, we are looking at a hybrid workplace solution. Thing is, the office is a place where people come together to collaborate. How do you design a space that people are going to want to come back to? People also need contact, but also comfort. Integrating the experience and comfort of a home into the office design concepts. We visited the bre (Building Research Establishment) “Biophilic Office” project to report on where they are with it and what the installation features include, and why they’ve made certain changes…

Designing for Extremes

Designing for Extremes

Designing for extremes for the benefit of the mean, creates a solution that’s good for us all. 69-90% of our time at work is focussed on what we call, “deep work”, as little as 40-10% on collaborative activities. Of course depends on your job, but that’s some averages that are worth considering. Having 15 minutes to recharge is really important. Somewhere which gives you acoustic relief as well as some “you” time is important, somewhere you don’t have to be “on” or be in the spotlight or be judged. Personalising your workspace is really important, and this is not the first time, nor will it be the last, that we’ve discussed how human-centric design is paramount to creating better places for us to work in…

Oliver Heath - Designing a Healthy Home

Oliver Heath - Designing a Healthy Home

“100 ways to transform your space for physical and mental wellbeing” so reads the strapline for Oliver Heath’s new book “Design a Healthy Home”. Oliver is an industry recognised expert in the field of sustainable architectural and interior design, he's presented on BBC, ITV, C4, Discovery Channel and more. Biophilic Design is more than just a plant on our desk, it is an exciting systems-based way of recognising that every choice, every purchase, every activity, every decision has an impact on our health, our wellbeing our environment and planet…

Indoor Garden Design

Indoor Garden Design

Ever struggled with over watering your plants? Or going the other end of the spectrum and leaving them like they've had a month in the Sahara? There are tips on different plant species which are great ideal starter plants, plus also advice on which plants are best for helping get rid of air pollutants. At the end of the podcast, you too will be excited about creating green spaces in your workplaces and homes…

Biophilic Design in the New Workplace

Biophilic Design in the New Workplace

Creating New Environments with Plants and Biophilic Design - Personalisation of space is a key message in this podcast with Kenneth Freeman, Biophilic Design and horticultural consultant. He shares with us, tips on how Biophilic Design supports and benefits the whole person, how it enhances a whole sensory environment. Some designers might separate off those elements from Biophilic Design, but they are all an integral part, including views, improved acoustics, lighting, ergonomics and when used together provides us with an holistic solution. It's all about comfort…

4 Key Elements of Biophilic Architectural Design

4 Key Elements of Biophilic Architectural Design

When you design with Biophilia in mind, you can transform buildings for the better. We look at Case Studies of Residential Architecture which use Biophilic Design to bring light, texture and inspiration to homes. Amos Goldreich of AG Architecture, an award-winning architectural practice shares with us his vision and how and why Biophilic Design were important in these spaces in relation to those who were using them and discusses 4 key elements of Biophilic Design..

Technobiophilia - Life, Nature and Technology

Technobiophilia - Life, Nature and Technology

There are many metaphors of nature in cyber space which we use without even thinking about it: clouds, streams, webs, and so on. Dr Sue Thomas has conducted research on how we can use technology to enhance our connection with nature. In this podcast we talk about how the huge amount of research and environmental science data has shown the benefits of nature on our wellbeing, including reducing blood pressure and other measurable benefits. Sue has also studied research on the effects of engaging with nature on devices, through technology, such as watching wildlife shows and even playing video games. She shares her concept of Technobiophilia. We talk about a real mix of things, ideas you can do on your commute or at your office desk, from plants, to stones, alpacas on Instagram, Farmville, live streams from eagles nests, fixed nature webcams, and lots more...

Your Life Nature

Your Life Nature

When was the last time you took a “nature break”? Hobie Hare, founder of “Your Life Nature” encourages us not only to take some time and get out into nature but also to bring Biophilia into our homes, with reminders of positive emotions, maybe it’s seashells from the beech, or a photograph that conjures an emotion that resonates with you…

Biophilic Design and its Impact on Atmospheric Perception

Biophilic Design and its Impact on Atmospheric Perception

Biophilic Design is becoming increasingly recognised as an essential design element in interiors and architecture. Lâl Dalay recently published the results of her research on “The Impact of Biophilic Design Elements on the Atmospheric Perception of the Interior Space”. We speak to her today about how biophilc design elements have an impact on people. Her focus is on the sensory effect the different Biophilic Design enhancements have on us…

Botanic Shed 10 minute tip - 1 Soil

Botanic Shed 10 minute tip - 1 Soil

In the first of a series of short 10 minute podcasts with our partner Lara Cowan at The Botanic Shed, School of Nature, where she shares tips and science on why and how nature is good for us. Today we talk about Soil. You will learn some surprising facts about soil, from he smell, the bacteria, the negative ions therein and more. She also suggests a few things you can plant out at the weekend, from Broad beans to leeks… to get you out of the house and engaging in the gorgeousness of soil..

Wild Urban Spaces - Bringing the Miyawaki Method to Cities

Wild Urban Spaces - Bringing the Miyawaki Method to Cities

Rapid Growth Urban Forest Creation... to me it seems like a dream concept, being able to rewild urban environments quickly to help the environment, bring biodiversity, create wildlife corridors, rooftop forests, school bee forests, support community and individual health and wellbeing and more... The Miyawaki Method of rapid forestation is based on observing and mimicking nature. These forests are maintenance free in 3 years. This is a fascinating conversation with James Godfrey-Faussett, founder of Wild Urban Spaces, practitioner and advocate of the Miyawaki Method, where you will learn how James and his team densely plant indigenous trees at a mix of canopy heights, which kinds of trees, where you can go an see and experience one…

The Joy of Silk

The Joy of Silk

A familiar face to thousands of TV viewers, award-winning interior designer, George Bond first appeared on TV as co-presenter on ITV “better Homes”: with Carol Vorderman. In his own interior design practice he has transformed homes and spaces into amazing spaces. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, is a judge, served as director on various professional societies, but most of all he is a visionary creative interior designer…

Support your body the Biophilic Way

Support your body the Biophilic Way

Learn how to boost your immune system, create foundations of health, how you can support your body to help recuperation and establish foundations of health using nature. The Journal of Biophilic Design is all about how we can bring nature and natural elements into our spaces and lives to make our lives happier and healthier. One of the key things is of course our health. We speak to Owen Wiseman, an inspirational medical advisor based in Canada whose practice is based on naturopathy. We chat about everything from supporting your body with green exercise to how natural light can make a difference..