Journal of Biophilic Design – Details, episodes & analysis

In a world increasingly dominated by sterile, lifeless buildings, one architect is on a mission to reawaken our innate connection to the natural world. Amanda, CEO of the Biomimicry Institute, is a passionate advocate for biophilic design - the practice of incorporating elements of nature into the built environment to enhance human health, wellbeing and productivity. 

"Many of our buildings today are like barren tombs, where people's souls and creativity go to die," Amanda laments. Her own experiences working in windowless offices, devoid of natural light, fresh air and sensory stimuli, left her feeling disconnected and uninspired. This personal frustration fuelled her determination to transform the way we design the spaces we inhabit. 

Amanda's journey began with her childhood in a small English village, where she spent endless hours immersed in the outdoors. Travelling through Australia and Southeast Asia as a young adult further opened her eyes to the profound relationship between architecture, culture and the natural environment. "I saw buildings that were so in tune with the climate, responding to it in a way I'd never witnessed before," she recalls. 

This epiphany set Amanda on a path to redefine the role of the architect, moving away from the "hero on a horse" mentality of individual, ego-driven design towards a more holistic, place-based approach. 

Biophilic design, she believes, is not about simply adding a few plants or water features to a building, but rather deeply understanding the unique ecology, climate and community of a site, and weaving those elements seamlessly into the fabric of the structure. 

Amanda points to the humble termite mound as a prime example of biomimicry in action - traditional architecture that mimics the natural ventilation systems of these industrious insects. "It's the same principle we see in biophilic design, creating buildings that are climatically responsible and connected to place," she explains. The benefits of this approach are well-documented. 

Studies have shown that access to natural light, views of greenery and sensory connections to the outdoors can significantly improve health outcomes, productivity and learning. Yet, Amanda laments, the majority of our schools, hospitals and workplaces remain stubbornly disconnected from the natural world. "We've created this separation between humans and nature, which has allowed us to destroy ecosystems and indigenous cultures without remorse," she says. "Now, we need a revolution in the way we design and think about the built environment." 

 Amanda envisions a future where forests and green spaces reclaim the urban landscape, where buildings are designed to support not just human inhabitants, but all living systems. It's an ambitious vision, but one she believes is essential if we are to address the pressing challenges of our time, from climate change to biodiversity loss. "We have the knowledge and the tools to create buildings that are truly in harmony with nature," Amanda says. "What we need now is the collective will to make it happen." 

Amanda has an unwavering passion and a lifetime of experience in the field, and encourages us all to create a biophilic, biomimetic future, one that reconnects us to the natural world and, in doing so, restores our own sense of purpose and belonging. 

https://amandasturgeon.com.au

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Have you got a copy of the Journal? You can now subscribe to the digital edition or purchase a copy directly from us at the journalofbiophilicdesign.com or Amazon. If you like our podcast and would like to support us in some way, you can buy us a coffee if you’d like to, thank you x

Watch the Biophilic Design Conference on demand here www.biophilicdesignconference.com

Credits: with thanks to George Harvey Audio Production for the calming biophilic soundscape that backs all our podcasts. 

Did you know our podcast is also on Audible, Amazon Music, Spotify, iTunes, YouTube, Stitcher, vurbl, podbay, podtail, and most if not all the RSS feeds?

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In the heart of London, a quiet revolution is underway, one that is set to transform the way we experience our urban environments. At the forefront of this movement is Scott Carroll and LDA Design, landscape architects whose visionary projects are redefining the relationship between people and nature.

Their work at Great Ormond Street Hospital, a renowned children's medical facility, is a prime example of how biophilic design can heal the wounds of the built environment.

"Great Ormond Street Hospital, in common with many of London's hospitals, faces massive challenges in the streets and spaces around it," Scott explains. "It's a vehicle-dominated environment, lacking in high-quality space for people and nature." The consequences are dire, with air pollution levels exceeding World Health Organization recommendations and a severe shortage of green spaces for the hospital community and local residents.

But Scott and his team have a bold vision. By reclaiming vehicle space and introducing a rich, curated planted environment, they aim to create the UK's first "healthy hospital street." This pioneering approach will not only reduce harmful emissions but also provide a sensory oasis for patients, staff, and visitors alike.

"We're applying biophilic design through patterns and design opportunities," Scott says. "The first layer is about creating prospect and refuge, exploration, and discovery. The second is about introducing natural sensory content, primarily through a carefully curated planted environment."

The transformative impact of this project is not lost on Scott. "When you think about the impact we have and the people that we reach, this is such a fantastic opportunity to put biophilic benefits and outcomes right at the heart of people's experience," he says.

But Great Ormond Street is just one piece of Scott's ambitious portfolio. Across the city, at the East Bank Stratford Waterfront development, they are leading the design of a new cultural and educational district that seamlessly blends people, culture, and nature.

"It's a really unique blend," Scott enthuses. "You'll see groups of school children sat on the terraces, working like an outdoor classroom, learning about the park and the environment. And then you'll have the first event that Sadler's Wells put on, with hip-hop dancers on the same terraces."

As the project slowly unfolds, Scott finds himself increasingly inspired by the transformative power of biophilic design. "Every time I go there, there's something new that I see that I just find inspirational," he says.

In a world increasingly dominated by concrete and steel, Scott's work stands as a testament to the healing power of nature. By weaving biophilic principles into the fabric of our cities, he is not only improving physical and mental well-being but also fostering a deeper connection between people and the natural world.

https://www.lda-design.co.uk

Great Ormond Street Hospital and LDA Design, Reimagining Great Ormond Street won the award for Health and Place at the Thornton Education Trust Inspire Future Generations Awards https://www.thorntoneducationtrust.org/ifgawards2024winnersandcommendations

Have you got a copy of the Journal? You can now subscribe and become a member of our Biophilic Design Network or purchase a copy directly from us at the journalofbiophilicdesign.com or Amazon. If you like our podcast and would like to support us in some way, you can buy us a coffee if you’d like to, thank you x

Did you miss the Biophilic Design Conference? Did you know you can buy a catch up ticket here and watch anytime you like on demand? www.biophilicdesignconference.com

Credits: with thanks to George Harvey Audio Production for the calming biophilic soundscape that backs all our podcasts. 

Did you know our podcast is also on Audible, Amazon Music, Spotify, iTunes, YouTube, Stitcher, vurbl, podbay, podtail, and most if not all the RSS feeds?

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How does a passion for biophilic design, which stems from a desire to improve an architect and designer’s own health, lead to the design of a major new healthcare building? For Steven Edge, founder of Salvage Sustainable Design, his personal interest in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) expanded into advocacy of Biophilic Design in buildings. We catch up with and discuss his recent project, commissioned by Manchester based architects AHR in 2017, where he acted as biophilic design consultant for their client the Royal College of Physicians’ new £35, million HQ in Liverpool.  The Spine opened in the Spring of 2021 and with 109 out of a possible 110 WELL Credits, the highest of any (over 26,000) WELL certified buildings in the world, its set to become one of the healthiest buildings in the world.

Stephen is a biophilic design consultant, and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, with over 40 years’ experience in academia and the design and construction industry. He shares his background, starting with work in architecture and interior design, and his growing interest in sustainability and healthy materials.

Talking about biophilic design principles used in The Spine, Steve describes how The Royal College of Physicians wanted to create a building that would make people feel healthier when they left it than when they entered; a brief that was fully met. Because it's a college as well as Office Spaces, they have young surgeons who would also be diagnosing real patients’ problems in this new building.

The design, led by architect Rob Hopkins, drew inspiration from the human body, with elements like the "skin" of the building and the "spine" staircase.

Steven describes how the team incorporated biophilic design principles to support health and wellbeing. This included maximizing natural daylight, providing views of nature, and incorporating lush indoor planting that was dubbed the "lungs" of the building. One of the things he mentions, is that trees give out a hormone that stimulates the vagus nerve in our brains. It calms us down, and so we are not only breathing that in but are also visually affected by the fact that we're in nature and walking under a tree canopy.

The design also features sensors to allow occupants to control their immediate environment and temperature. Taking an holistic approach it uses innovative materials such as a clay plaster that absorbs toxins from the air.

The team also looked at principles of biomimicry, taking cues from natural structures like bone to inform the building's columns. Interactive elements, like kinetic sculptures, were planned to encourage movement and play. Steven explains how lighting was a key consideration, with the team aiming to support circadian rhythms through strategic use of natural and artificial light. They consulted research on how lighting can impact productivity and mood throughout the day.

Beyond the immediate health benefits, Edge discusses the links between biophilic design and sustainability. The team explored circular economy principles, looking at designing for disassembly and the potential to lease lighting systems rather than own them outright. They also drew on NASA research to select plant species known for their air purifying properties.

The Spine is an amazing and inspirational project for any designer and architect. It demonstrates an holistic approach to biophilic design, integrating elements that support human health, wellbeing, and environmental sustainability.

Edge's passion for this approach shines through, as he envisions a future with more playful, interactive biophilic design elements woven into our cities and buildings.

For more information on Steve’s work visit: www.salvedge.co.uk

These are a couple of the extra references mentioned in the podcast:

https://www.squintopera.com/projects/floodedlondon/ 

https://www.studioroosegaarde.net/project/wind-3-0 

and 

https://www.studioroosegaarde.net/project/flow 

Also Dr Vanessa Champion, will also be presenting at the Healthy Cities by Design Conference at The Spine on 15 and 16 October 2024 https://www.healthycitydesign.global 

And Steve Edge will be presenting at the Biophilic Design Conference 12 November 2024 at the Barbican London (another Biophilic Space, we will also be in the Conservatory, the second largest after Kew Gardens). www.biophilicdesignconference.com

"I love this term biophilia, because it's this, in a sense, it's a love of nature in a word, isn't it? And I had this beautiful description recently of what it actually means to love something or to love someone. In very plain terms, it means to include that person or that thing's interests as one's own." Jojo Mehta, Co-founder, Stop Ecocide International.

For me Biophilic Design has the potential to heal more than just physical and mental health of people, it has the potential to help heal our earth too. If we implemented Biophilic Design in cities for instance, we can help mitigate climate change, even just by planting more trees which is a Biophilic Design solution, we increase tree canopy cover, increase biodiversity, mitigate flooding. There are many more, from creating Blue cities with cleaner rivers and waterways to planting on roofs and sides of buildings helping reduce the need to switch on air conditioning units in the summer and heating in the winter, which in turn reduces energy consumption. Also, as interior designers we specify more natural materials, reducing plastic, are more considerate of what textiles are made of and originate from.

With our global temperature reaching a danger point, we need to do all we can as designers, architects, fit out managers and anyone who works in the built environment at any point.

Today we have got the amazing Jojo Mehta with us on the podcast. Jojo is CEO and co-founder of Stop Ecocide International (SEI), the hub of the global movement to create a new international crime of ecocide to protect the Earth from the worst acts of environmental damage, a movement that is gaining significant political traction.  She co-founded SEI with the visionary lawyer, Polly Higgins, who died in 2019, having devoted the final decade of her life to the cause.

We explore and put into context just WHY we need to do more as designers, seize every opportunity we can to create better environments, not just for people, but for planet too and also how Biophilic Design is an essential part of the solution.

Jojo Mehta is the CEO and co-founder of Stop Ecocide International, the organization working to create a new international crime of "ecocide" to protect the environment from severe damage. The goal of ecocide law is to hold companies and governments accountable for the worst acts of environmental destruction, similar to how genocide and war crimes are treated as international crimes.

Jojo explains that ecocide law aims to shift the mindset around the environment, moving away from the perception of nature as an infinite resource to be exploited, towards a more holistic, interconnected view. By making severe environmental damage a crime, it would force decision-makers to consider the consequences of their actions on the natural world.

She sees ecocide law as a crucial tool to complement initiatives like biophilic design, which seeks to reconnect people with nature through the built environment.

Designers, architects, and others in the built environment sector have a vital role to play, not just in implementing biophilic principles, but in advocating for the legal frameworks that can drive systemic change.

Individuals can get involved by raising awareness of ecocide law in their personal and professional networks, encouraging its inclusion in policy discussions and industry publications. Jojo emphasizes the importance of building a broad conversation around the need for such legislation, as politicians are more likely to act when there is clear public support.

Ultimately, Jojo envisions a world where people and nature are deeply interconnected, with decisions made with the wellbeing of the natural world in mind.

She believes that by aligning our laws and cultural attitudes with this biophilic worldview, we can begin to heal the damage done and create a more sustainable future.

Have you got a copy of the Journal? You can now subscribe to the digital edition or purchase a copy directly from us at the journalofbiophilicdesign.com or Amazon. If you like our podcast and would like to support us in some way, you can buy us a coffee if you’d like to, thank you x

Credits: with thanks to George Harvey Audio Production for the calming biophilic soundscape that backs all our podcasts. 

Did you know our podcast is also on Audible, Amazon Music, Spotify, iTunes, YouTube, Stitcher, vurbl, podbay, podtail, and most if not all the RSS feeds?

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How can Biophilic Design be used to create happier and healthier environments? Ben Channon is an architect, author, TEDx speaker and mental wellbeing advocate, and is well known as a thought leader in designing for happiness and wellbeing. As a Director at the wellbeing design consultancy Ekkist, he helps clients and design teams to create healthier places, and researches how buildings and urban design can impact how we feel. He also offers talks on workplace mental health, productivity and company culture, sharing his philosophy that happier staff are better staff.

Ben developed an interest in design for mental health, wellbeing and happiness after suffering with anxiety problems in his mid-twenties. His search for solutions to his personal issues led to him unearthing lots of amazing research including in the realm of environmental psychology, which proved that the environment we spend time in has a huge impact on how we feel, think, behave and interact with other people. All this led him to research the relationship between buildings and happiness, which formed the basis of his first book: ‘Happy by Design’. Ben’s second book ‘The Happy Design Toolkit’ - which offers more practical advice on how to create buildings for our mental wellbeing (published in March 2022) which gives people the tools to implement the principles of Happy Design.

Ben makes it clear that progress towards Happy Design doesn’t have to be in big steps.  He advocates using ‘nudge’ psychology; making small but significant changes that encourage healthier, happier behaviours, to add “little bits of joy” wherever we can, creating uplifting places and spaces that add elements of joy.

Biophilic Design is increasingly more widely embraced, but long-term thinking and better education are required for the benefits of a biophilic approach to be fully realised. Listening to this podcast is a fantastic way to start that journey as Ben’s advocacy of the benefits of biophilic design is clear and compelling.

As he says:

“ We have to live more in balance and in symbiosis with nature. We have to not see nature as something we can plunder and keep taking from, but actually something that we need to support, and that actually, if we support nature, nature will support us back. “

https://www.ekkist.co/designforwellbeing/

https://www.ekkist.co/healthyhomeschecklist/

Have you got a copy of the Journal? You can now subscribe to the digital edition or purchase a copy directly from us at the journalofbiophilicdesign.com or Amazon. If you like our podcast and would like to support us in some way, you can buy us a coffee if you’d like to, thank you x

Credits: with thanks to George Harvey Audio Production for the calming biophilic soundscape that backs all our podcasts. 

Did you know our podcast is also on Audible, Amazon Music, Spotify, iTunes, YouTube, Stitcher, vurbl, podbay, podtail, and most if not all the RSS feeds?

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/journalofbiophilicdesign/

Twitter https://twitter.com/JofBiophilicDsn

LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/company/journalofbiophilicdesign/

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Have you got a copy of the Journal? You can purchase a copy directly from us at the journalofbiophilicdesign.com or Amazon. If you like our podcast and would like to support us in some way, you can buy us a coffee if you’d like to, thank you x

Credits: with thanks to George Harvey Audio Production for the calming biophilic soundscape that backs all our podcasts. 

Did you know our podcast is also on Audible, Amazon Music, Spotify, iTunes, YouTube, Stitcher, vurbl, podbay, podtail, and most if not all the RSS feeds?

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/journalofbiophilicdesign/

Twitter https://twitter.com/JofBiophilicDsn

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There is strong evidence that strong green environments can improve educational outcomes as well as improving focus and concentration restoration levels, and for Nicholas Artherton, a chartered Landscape Architect and qualified Urban designer, Biophilic Design is a core tenet to create connections with natural elements and outdoor spaces through diversity, movement and multi-sensory interactions. 

Nick is founder of Natural Dimensions, a multi-award-winning landscape architecture and urban design practice. For Nick, Biophilic Design is: “a way of incorporating into design a balance of ecological planning and planning for mental well-being and responding to systems which encourage human health.”

One of Nick’s most celebrated designs was for Merstham Park School where, Natural Dimensions were appointed to design extensive ground around a ground-breaking new pathfinder secondary school that is a template for low carbon technology and biophilic landscape principles.

From the entrance to the school and throughout the grounds, Natural Dimensions created a beautiful space with varied spaces incorporating many different habitats, spaces and an overall feeling of the school sitting within nature.

With a rich variety of planting, and so much thought gone into choosing a mix of species that change throughout the seasons, the school is nestled in a beautiful “hug” of colour, shapes and biodiversity. But not only is the landscape beautiful, with the deciduous trees, it maximises solar heating in winter and solar cooling in summer. Nick has also optimised the use and preservation of rainwater through some clever tech under the permeable pathways and planting areas which is then used for irrigation and recycling it for toilet flushing.

Nick shares his passion for increasing the awareness of Biophilic Design and believes it should be adopted as the de facto approach to design. In fact, he explains that he can't think of a better location into which to bring biophilic design than schools.  With kids being super aware of environmental issues, Nick believes there is no better place for them to be really engaged in really well-designed schools, which represent those values for them, and encourage them to engage with environmental stewardship.

His view is that if you are advocating for responsible behaviour towards climate issues, and also mental well-being, it makes complete sense for schools to be the locations for that advocacy. He believes that they can act as community hubs because they are representatives of spaces where there is a focus for environmental stewardship, and that could reach out to the rest of the community.

Nick’s personal mission is to enable landscape architecture and urban design to be at the heart of development, with the many benefits it brings for all, including an increasingly important positive ecological impact. Natural Dimensions aims to help companies, organisations, communities and individuals reap the rewards of design in the form of landscape aesthetics and features, natural systems, environmental enhancement and the wellbeing of citizens.

With every design, new build, school refit or refurb we have a choice to make, and I think that Nick’s passion for creating well thought out, meaningful spaces and enlightened planning through the adoption of Biophilic Design prove that we can transform public sector design.

To find out more about Nicholas Atherton and his practice, Natural Dimensions, visit https://www.naturaldimensions.co.uk

Also come and see him speak at our conference www.biophilicdesignconference.com

Pick up a copy of his article in our EDUCATION issue of The Journal of Biophilic Design Ebook or lovely printed edition

Have you got a copy of the Journal? You can purchase a copy directly from us at the journalofbiophilicdesign.com or Amazon. If you like our podcast and would like to support us in some way, you can buy us a coffee if you’d like to, thank you x

Credits: with thanks to George Harvey Audio Production for the calming biophilic soundscape that backs all our podcasts. 

Did you know our podcast is also on Audible, Amazon Music, Spotify, iTunes, YouTube, Stitcher, vurbl, podbay, podtail, and most if not all the RSS feeds?

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/journalofbiophilicdesign/

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Andrew Waugh is an architect with a passion for using sustainable materials in construction projects.  His practice, Waugh Thistleton Architects, is a London based architectural practice producing thoughtful and sustainable projects both locally and internationally.

The practice is a world leader in engineered timber and pioneer in the field of tall timber buildings.  Of particular renown is the Black & White building in London that has been short listed for a RIBA London Award in 2024.  The build was described by RIBA journal as 'a major step forward for the development and construction industry’ and is the tallest engineered timber office building in central London.

In 2023, Waugh Thistleton were named Architect of the Year in AJ Architecture Awards 2023. The Architect's Journal recognised the practise for their long standing advocacy for timber saying that 'In the face of the climate crisis, Waugh Thistleton is a worthy winner for its ability to work within the constraints of very challenging policy yet create cutting-edge, sustainable architecture. Not only that, it is also prompting the whole industry to raise its game.’

In this podcast, Andrew explains the different types of engineered timber and how some have superior structural strength while others have the mass required to offer superior acoustic performance.  The choice of materials, as he outlines, is determined by usefulness, cost and how they fit into an overall objective of using as few materials as possible.

!

Andrew’s passion for the use of sustainable materials shines through as he explains how the wood used is sourced from forests planted with biodiversity in mind.  The forests are not monoculture forests, they are planted with FSC of PEFC licences, and the harvest used for producing construction materials is a long way short of the overall capacity of the forests to produce sustainable timber.

From a biophilic design perspective, Andew details some of the many health and well-being benefits of using wood in the built environment.  The better acoustics, the hydroscopic nature of wood creating better air quality and the calming properties of sawn timber are among the benefits discussed. He also describes how the external wood design, creates Solar shading on the building which reduces energy use for heating and cooling by about a third.

Talking of the Black and White building, Andrew says:

“IIt is important for us to ensure that this move towards low carbon construction, low carbon architecture is not a peripheral occupation. It is not just for birdwatching centres, and National Trust museums, it has to be mainstream. The entire building, which was built for a commercial company, Blackstone, is above the ground floor slab made of timber. So, it's timber staircases, timber, lift shafts, timber beams, columns, floor slabs, external wall curtain walling is timber, and the external cladding is timber as well. A completely timber building. It was built very quickly in 83 weeks. So very fast construction.  It was cost equivalent to concrete. We were obliged to track the cost of the building all the way to tender with the main contractor against a concrete equivalent building and we were able to demonstrate that it was cost equivalent.

So fast, inexpensive, and letting extremely well - the client’s very happy, which is really nice.”

Each piece of timber has a QR code, so it can be placed exactly into place. So it’s not only fast but also quiet and clean. Put that against the usual cement trucks and building site cacophony. In fact the whole building took only 70 deliveries

The overriding message from Andrew’s advocacy of sustainable building, using the example of the Black and White building, is that using these technologies and approaches is a positive advance in construction with myriad benefits.  It is no longer necessary to wear a metaphorical hair shirt to build in a way that is sympathetic to the environment.  Fast, quiet and quick construction of modern buildings filled with biophilic design is the route to happy owners and happy occupants.

To find out more about the projects visit: https://waughthistleton.com

To download the free ebook he mentioned, click here:

https://info.thinkwood.com/download/100-uk-clt-projects

Have you got a copy of the Journal? You can purchase a copy directly from us at the journalofbiophilicdesign.com or Amazon. If you like our podcast and would like to support us in some way, you can buy us a coffee if you’d like to, thank you x

Credits: with thanks to George Harvey Audio Production for the calming biophilic soundscape that backs all our podcasts. 

Did you know our podcast is also on Audible, Amazon Music, Spotify, iTunes, YouTube, Stitcher, vurbl, podbay, podtail, and most if not all the RSS feeds?

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/journalofbiophilicdesign/

Twitter https://twitter.com/JofBiophilicDsn

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Did you know for every £1 you spend on even simple Biophilic Design enhancements, you could get £2.70 back? So reveals the new research conducted by Joyce Chan Shoof Architect and Sustainability Lead at the UK Parliament.

Using a scientific approach with control environments, adding biophilic design elements to test the effect and then removing them to further test the effect of their absence, Joyce explains the rigorous approach she took over a seven-year period to arrive at her conclusion.

This is a phenomenal breakthrough for those of us working in Biophilic Design.

You can read the whole report here: https://plplabs.com/reap-what-you-sow-2/

And come and see Joyce present the research in person at Workplace Trends in London on the 18th April 2024 https://workplacetrends.co/events/wtrs24-prog/

We often have struggled trying to articulate the economic benefits of Biophilic Design, this research can be used to support arguments why businesses need it in the workplace.

Joyce has also developed a framework to help designers work out what we need and the impact it will have. Using existing frameworks, like the Flourish model (as advocated by Professor Derek Clements Croome) and others, she has woven a great new model we can all hang our designs on.

From a career as a practicing architect, Joyce explains that transferring to the client side within the Parliamentary Estate has been transformational in the way she sees building design from feasibility study through to construction.  The change and the opportunity it gave her has inspired her to incorporate multidisciplinary approaches and to study the impact of taking a biophilic design on efficiency, productivity and well-being within the workplace.

Just like Goldilocks and the Three Bears, one interesting outcome that she highlights during the podcast, the study concludes that an immersive approach to incorporating Biophilic Design in the workplace is less effective overall than a more measured approach.  But she explains that the immersive effect was preferred by people. The results showed that the moderate Biophilic Design intervention (that which we could normally advocate) seems to be the best.

Joyce sees academic rigour as an important part of her role when leading a complex development.   Since 2017, she has been conducting this doctoral research with the Design School at Loughborough University, focused on Sustainable Well-being in the workplace with a particular interest in biophilic and social value. She is a keen advocate of how Architects can make positive impacts towards allowing people to live happier and healthier. Her team sits within the Design Authority who are a group of design professionals and specialists who are managing the estate in Westminster, and their objective is to inject new thinking into the adaptive use of new and heritage buildings within the Parliamentary Estate – a UNESCO site. 

Parliament’s vision is amibitious; it aims to set an example to lead the early adoption of Zero Carbon (Scope 1, 2 & 3), Healthy Buildings, Social Value and Circular Economy through our own refurbishment projects and procurement.  The team manages the design, construction and operations of the Parliamentary Estate of 20 buildings including the Palace of Westminster.

Joyce discusses her study of the economic benefits of incorporating a biophilic design approach to workspace and gives many insights into her approach and into how she found a way of attributing economic value to the benefits.

Her wish is that we reconnect with nature, the sources of food, the feeling of being part of nature rather than living lives that separate us from the natural world. She wishes that all of us benefit from an improved environment, and her research is a massive and welcome step in that direction.

To register for Workplace Trends and meet Joyce in person on the 18th of April 2024: https://workplacetrends.co/events/wtrs24-prog/

Reap What You Sow: What’s the value (£) of Biophilic Design? (14.40)
– Joyce Chan-Schoof (RIBA), PhD Research Researcher, Loughborough University and Sustainability Lead, UK Parliament

Given employees are the largest cost for a business, to what extent can biophilic design save companies money by ensuring that staff are healthier and happier at work? We explore these questions by delving into the monetary benefits of biophilic design. This presentation presents new ways to capture the tangible well-being and environmental values of connecting with nature in the workplace. This project is part of a doctoral research project at Loughborough University in collaboration with PLP Architects, Benholm and Reading University. Joyce’s research is funded by the Design Star (AHRC), and the BCO sponsored the pilot study.

Read more and follow up on the research:

https://plplabs.com/wearables-in-the-workplace/

https://www.bco.org.uk/Research/Publications/Use_of_Wearables_In_The_Office_-_A_review_and_examples_in_practice.aspx

Have you got a copy of the Journal? You can purchase a copy directly from us at the journalofbiophilicdesign.com or Amazon. If you like our podcast and would like to support us in some way, you can buy us a coffee if you’d like to, thank you x

Credits: with thanks to George Harvey Audio Production for the calming biophilic soundscape that backs all our podcasts. 

Did you know our podcast is also on Audible, Amazon Music, Spotify, iTunes, YouTube, Stitcher, vurbl, podbay, podtail, and most if not all the RSS feeds?

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/journalofbiophilicdesign/

Twitter https://twitter.com/JofBiophilicDsn

LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/company/journalofbiophilicdesign/

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https://plplabs.com/reap-what-you-sow-2/

The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries and this fact is yet another reason we need more Biophilic Design included into urban planning, architecture, design, and every environmental facet of city and town life. Robert Delius, Associate Director, Architect and Head of Sustainability at Stride Treglown is doing just that. Aiming to maximise biodiversity through design, Robert has a passion to create an Eden, where buildings and landscapes come together and there's a feeling of abundance, where there's nature and birdsong and insect life and a powerful sense of well-being. Robert’s background in housing design and master planning has set him up in good stead to create good design and great places. Distinctiveness and place making are a thread through his career. He also has a particular interest in regenerative design and how great design can have a measurably positive impact on climate, ecology and people. In short, he is a brilliantly creative proactive advocate for Biophilic Design. He believes that forging a closer connection to the natural world, is extremely good for our well-being as well as being good for the planet and good for nature, and his passion for Biophilic Design is life-long. One of the projects he discusses is his Great Bow Yard project in Somerset from 2008. This had gained media attention because it had been flagged as the most energy efficient scheme in the UK. Having recently revisited the project, Robert notes that residents, are not only pleased with the low energy costs, but were actually most enthused by the shared garden and the feelings of well-being that stem from it being a beautiful spot. In this podcast, Robert talks of his background and upbringing and how that has led him to his passion for living in harmony with nature. He discusses how on his projects, and those of his colleagues, he always looks to introduce as many opportunities as possible for planting in designs, both internally and externally to reduce hard space and introduce a softer more natural element. This passion is carried through to the present day.  As we said at the beginning, Robert is concerned to note that the UK is the most one of the most nature depleted countries in the world and this fact has inspired him, and others, to create a public event “Code Red for Nature” (link below), a funeral for nature in Bath on 20th April 2024. The event is open to all, even Chris Packham will be there supporting and Dan Pearson design studio will also be taking part. Great Bow Yard: https://stridetreglown.com/projects/great-bow-yard/ Code Red: https://www.coderedfornature.uk/ 2pm on Saturday 20th April 2024 in Bath, TAKE PART IN ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL AND AMBITIOUS PIECES OF STREET THEATRE YET TO BE ENACTED ON BEHALF OF BIODIVERSITY LOSS If you like this, please subscribe! Please register for our newsletter on our website https://journalofbiophilicdesign.com/podcasts-journal-of-biophilic-design Credits: with thanks to George Harvey Audio Production for the calming biophilic soundscape that backs all our podcasts. Did you know our podcast is also on Audible, Amazon Music, Spotify, iTunes, YouTube, Stitcher, vurbl, podbay, podtail, and most if not all the RSS feeds? Facebook https://www.facebook.com/journalofbiophilicdesign/ Twitter https://twitter.com/JofBiophilicDsn LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/company/journalofbiophilicdesign/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/journalofbiophilicdesign