If two people could combat our growing urban disconnection, it is Adam White and Andrée Davies of Davies White Limited. I met them at our first Biophilic Design Conference at the Barbican, and immediately warmed to their infectious passion for better landscape design. Design which helps reimagine spaces from playgrounds to hospitals through a beautiful and playful biophilic lens, pulling on our emotional responses to nature.

They construct, if you will, beautiful narratives of human-nature coexistence. Instead of viewing landscapes as static backdrops, they help encourage us to understand them as dynamic, living systems that actively shape human experience and ecological health.

I think it’s the creativity I love most about their work. The balance of science, planning and artistry. Their approach is rooted in a deep understanding of ecological systems and human psychology. With projects ranging from micro-forest playgrounds to hospital gardens, each is designed to restore our biophilic fundamental relationship with the natural world.  Take their recent West London micro-forest playground project. By densely planting trees and creating intricate ecological landscapes, they're not merely designing a play area, but constructing a living classroom. The project embodies their core belief: that understanding nature begins with immersive, tactile experiences…. READ ON and Watch the interview…

Cities face unprecedented environmental challenges, and it’s no secret that trees offer multiple solutions: reducing urban temperatures, mitigating noise pollution, improving air quality, and supporting mental and physical health. So why then aren’t we planting trees wherever there’s opportunity?

As Biophilic Design practitioners, we can help hold this door open to help explain why we need them and how to do it. Sue James is the Convenor for the Trees and Design Action Group (TDAG), which brings together individuals, professionals, academics and organisations from wide ranging disciplines in both the public and private sectors to improve knowledge and good practice to support the role of urban trees through better collaboration in the planning, design, construction and management and maintenance of our urban places. We chat through the challenges, the opportunities and also how Biophilic Designers can get involved and help transform society, health and ultimately our planet.

One of the primary obstacles to widespread urban tree planting, according to Sue, is the perceived maintenance burden. Councils and developers often view trees as costly and complicated. However, TDAG research demonstrates that with strategic planning, tree maintenance can be minimal and cost-effective.

"If you plant the right tree in the right place, with proper initial care, maintenance becomes remarkably simple.” Do have a look at the practical guides TDAG have developed to help communities and professionals navigate tree planting challenges.

If you are wanting to share the benefits of urban trees, which extend far beyond environmental considerations, learn a bit more about how tree-lined streets can benefit society. For instance they increase property values, reduce urban temperatures by up to 4 degrees, potentially save the NHS money through improved public health and of course the obvious one, create more attractive, liveable and desirable urban spaces.

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The concept of eudaimonia, rooted in Aristotelian philosophy, is more than just happiness. Eudaimonia represents a state of good spirit and the realisation of one's full potential. It's about creating environments that support individuals in becoming their best selves across different life stages and circumstances. I sat down with Jenna Mikus to explore the concept and find out how we can weave this into Biophilic Design.

Jenna is founder of the Eudae Group and an Honorary Fellow at the University of Melbourne, and focuses on this concept, bridging engineering, philosophy, and design to create spaces that truly support human flourishing.

Eudaimonia manifests itself in Jenna's recent projects across healthcare and educational settings. In hospitals, she challenges traditional design creating spaces that support all users of the space, staff, patients and families. Imagine healing environments with dedicated family zones, access to natural views, and carefully curated sensory experiences that help process difficult emotions. All of this will resonate with Biophilic Designers.

Jenna’s own professional journey is anything but conventional. With a background in mechanical engineering, art history, and business, she represents the antithesis of traditional siloed thinking. Her career trajectory—from government consulting to architectural design—reflects a deep commitment to understanding how environments can profoundly impact human experience.

In educational spaces, Jenna advocates for neuro-inclusive design. We need classrooms with varied lighting zones, comfortable materials, and flexible spaces that accommodate different learning styles. The goal is to create environments that inspire learning by understanding how space can activate creativity and engagement. All these things are also woven into Biophilic Design.

In our conversation she shares that we can all bring these large-scale learnings into small-scale real-world situations. When her father… CONTINUE READING and WATCH the PODCAST

Nestled in the Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia, is Serenbe, the biophilic community leading the wellness real estate and agrihood movements. It is a neighbourhood focused on wellbeing, full of fresh food and fresh air. This community is set among acres of preserved forests and meadows with miles of nature trails that connect homes and restaurants with arts and businesses.

 Importantly it is a real-world example of Biophilic Design in a community development that can help us reimagine urban and town planning.

We speak with Steve Nygren, Founder and CEO who shares with us his love of biophilia and how this is woven through Serenbe, a beautiful and practical reimagining of how we can live in harmony with nature. More than just a development, Serenbe is a living, breathing testament to Biophilic Design and the profound connection between human well-being and the natural world…

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Architects are increasingly recognising that our built environments do more than shelter us—they fundamentally shape our physical and mental wellbeing. Dr Tuwanda Green, a leading expert in biophilic design, an architect, and who sits on the board of the Biophilic Institute, has over 32 years of architectural experience including working for government design projects, and holds a doctorate in architecture from Virginia Tech. She  argues that thoughtfully designed spaces using the principles of Biophilia can actually alter our genetic expression and improve generational health.

Tuwanda is an expert on Epigenetics—a field of genetic research. In our conversation she explains how environmental factors can switch genes on and off without changing DNA sequences. Think of epigenetic markers like "gumballs" stuck to our genetic code, potentially influencing everything from stress responses to disease susceptibility.

"These markers can be passed down through generations," explains Tuwanda. "A stressful, nature-deprived environment could potentially transmit negative genetic expressions to our children, while nurturing, nature-connected spaces might help reverse these markers."

Recent scientific studies support this perspective. Research has consistently demonstrated that exposure to green spaces correlates with significant health improvements

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Garden designer Lisa Norton has been pushing forward a beautiful biophilic approach to learning spaces that puts nature at the heart of education. For her, biophilic design is proving that our built environments can profoundly impact children's well-being and learning potential. Her journey from corporate sales to garden design was driven by a deep-rooted connection to nature, inspired by childhood days spent in her father's vegetable garden. Now, she's transforming schools into living, breathing environments that support children's mental and physical health.

"We are doing our children a disservice right now," Lisa says passionately. We need a change in the way we design schools. In a recent project at a Special Educational Needs (SEN) school, Lisa demonstrated the transformative power of biophilic design. By incorporating natural materials, organic shapes, and abundant greenery, she created spaces that fundamentally changed how children experience learning. The results were remarkable. "Some children came off medication," she reveals. "One child told me, 'I can think more clearly and breathe more deeply.'"

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Biophilic design is not just an aesthetic choice, but a critical evolution in workplace design. As work becomes increasingly digital and flexible, the traditional office is transforming into a dynamic, nature-integrated environment. We speak with Jeremy Myerson, design writer, co-founder of WORKTECH Academy and Professor Emeritus in the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design at the Royal College of Art, who argues that the future workplace must move beyond sterile, industrial spaces to create settings that support human well-being, align with natural rhythms, and enhance productivity. This means incorporating elements like natural light, green spaces, vertical gardens, and designs that connect workers with the natural world. The post-pandemic workplace is no longer about containing workers, but about creating flexible, health-affirming spaces that recognize humans as part of a living ecosystem. Biophilic design, in Jeremy's vision, is the key to reimagining work as a holistic experience that nurtures both human potential and ecological connection.

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"A world where materials are in harmony with nature." Wouldn’t that be amazing? I truly believe, that biophilic designers can specify this change, and also help scale innovation to make this happen.

The global plastics crisis is stark: over 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced annually, with a staggering 99% being fossil-based and 91% never recycled. The plastics industry contributes 3.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to 1.8 billion tonnes of emissions. Hao Ding, Global Marketing Director at TotalEnergies Corbion, unveils the potential of Polylactic Acid (PLA) - a bio-based material that could help how architects and designers approach sustainability. According to a new Life Cycle Assessment, PLA reduces carbon footprints up to 85% compared to conventional plastics.

PLA stands for Poly Lactic Acid, a bio-based plastic material made from renewable resources like sugarcane or corn. Specifically, as Hao explained in the interview, it's produced through a process of fermenting plant sugars to create lactic acid, which is then polymerised into a plastic-like material. Unlike traditional petroleum-based plastics, PLA is:

- Made from renewable resources
- Biodegradable
- Reduces carbon footprint by up to 75%
- Food contact approved
- Usable in multiple applications like packaging, 3D printing, textiles, and medical packaging

A key difference is that PLA starts from plants that absorb CO2 during growth, whereas conventional plastics are derived from oil pumped from underground. When composted, PLA breaks down completely without leaving persistent microplastics, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional plastics. PLA can reduce carbon emissions by up to 75% compared to conventional plastics. "PLA can replace most conventional plastics and offer similar performance."

Architects and designers can leverage PLA in multiple applications.

Design and Construction Applications:
1. Furniture packaging materials
2. Exhibition and conference temporary structures
3. 3D printed decorative objects
4. Cavity wall insulation
5. Prototype and model making
6. Textile and upholstery applications

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The School of Biophilia seeks to foster a deeper connection between people and the natural environment through a comprehensive and innovative educational approach. By creating accessible, curriculum-aligned teaching resources that seamlessly integrate biophilic principles across different subjects, they aim to make nature education engaging and meaningful for children of all backgrounds. The founders of The School of Biophilia, Ann Vanner and Amelia Chasey, envision a future where biophilic principles are fundamental to education, design, and personal lifestyle choices.

Their approach goes beyond traditional nature activities by developing interactive experiences that encourage children to explore and interact with their environment, even in urban settings. Through methods like nature scavenger hunts, storytelling, and carefully designed workshops, they help children understand not just the what, but the why of their connection to nature.

A key aspect of their mission is making biophilic education inclusive and available to all children, regardless of their school's resources. By providing digital downloads, lesson plans, and workshops that can be easily implemented, they ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn about and appreciate the natural world.

They want to make biophilic principles accessible to all children, not just those in privileged schools. They highlighted a shocking statistic that current UK children spend less time outdoors than prisoners, which they see as a critical issue to address. Teaching children that humans are part of nature, not separate from it is a vital key to encouraging awareness and respect of our natural world (and each other). By breaking down educational silos and encouraging collective, community-based learning, The School of Biophilia aims to help children understand our interconnectedness with natural systems. READ ON AND WATCH THE INTERVIEW….

Light profoundly impacts our neurological and biological systems through its connection to our evolutionary history. Our brains are fundamentally programmed to respond to moving, dynamic light sources - which is why we're instinctively transfixed by a candle flame. Artificial light, by contrast, has only existed for 180 years, which is essentially nothing in evolutionary time. This means static white lights do little to support our relaxation or psychological connectivity. We speak with Frankie Boyle, light artist extraordinaire who fuses physics, psychology, neuroscience and art.

Frankie’s work is beautiful, a manifestation of the fusion of biophilia and creativity. I love the gorgeous fluidity, the colours, the dance of light and dark, for me experiencing her installations even through the screen feels like you are walking into a song.

As Frankie explains, humans have been interacting with light for 4 billion years, primarily through natural sources like sunlight and fire.

From a neurological perspective, light triggers specific responses in our nervous system that are deeply rooted in survival mechanisms. Our brains are programmed to detect movement because it signals potential hunting opportunities or threats. Different colours and light intensities activate different neurological responses - for instance, vibrant blues are energising and motivating, while sunset tones with yellows and oranges signal relaxation and the end of the day. These light interactions influence our brain's energy allocation. If we design lighting intentionally, we can help encourage the neural resources of anyone experiencing the space to focus on specific tasks, ultimately improving their cognitive performance and emotional well-being.

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