Surrounding ourselves with nature and patterns of nature, research has proven prompts us to act more sustainably. Also patterns like natural light, specifying natural materials, wood, plants, natural airflow, and all the others, all lead to less energy use (less electric lighting, less HVAC system reliance), less plastic pollutants in the air, less emissions in cities because there is more green trees and planting, reduced heating and air con use if we put more deciduous trees outside or green walls on buildings. The list goes on.

This issue touches on just a few, and explores some aspects, like natural light, natural materials, innovation in monitoring impact, becoming a B-corp, urban forestry. We also include a section on the Environment in every issue and look at lots of case studies relevant to each topic, so timber buildings for schools, plants and views of nature in healthcare, park areas for social connectivity and outdoor space for improved mental health for citizens, water soundscapes for offices for better quality air, innovations in bio materials. So many aspects of Biophilic Design are beneficial for people and for our planet too.

I believe the no one can be a designer, architect, planner and not feel for the planet we are dependent on. No one can design knowing that what they are building, designing will pollute the planet or the people living in it.  While there is a school of thought that focuses on Biophilic Design solely inside buildings, there is also a whole movement which is pushing for the Biophilic Design mindset to be applied to every aspect of our Built Environment.

In fact, I believe, that if we implemented the principles of Biophilic Design into the very fabric of our Urban Planning, if we retrofit and design new buildings following the patterns of Biophilic Design, we would not only mitigate Climate Change, but also go some way to reaching Net Zero.

We each have a code of ethics, and these should include how we impact on the earth. There are ALWAYS options, we just need to source them, show them to the client, and argue the case.  We created the Journal of Biophilic Design to help you persuade clients the reason we need to source better, we need to design better.  Take the relevant issue along, show them the case studies, the science, the ideas and the weight of the voices within each issue will be with you every step of the way.

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