Journal of Biophilic Design

By: Vanessa Champion editor Journal of Biophilic Design
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  • Summary

  • Welcome to our podcast series from the Journal of Biophilic Design, where we interview workplace consultants, futurists, interior designers, architects, urban planners and those working in healthcare, wellbeing and other industries to find out the latest on Biophilic Design. www.journalofbiophilicdesign.com
    Content copyright Journal of Biophilic Design, opinions copyright the speaker.
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Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Science Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • Architect Amanda Sturgeon on Biophilic Design and Biomimicry

    Architect Amanda Sturgeon on Biophilic Design and Biomimicry
    Feb 12 2025
    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.auIf you like this, please subscribe!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 xWatch 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?Facebook https://www.facebook.com/journalofbiophilicdesign/Twitter https://twitter.com/JofBiophilicDsnLinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/company/journalofbiophilicdesign/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/journalofbiophilicdesign
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    44 mins
  • Healthy Hospital Street – How Biophilic Design is transforming healthcare in cities.

    Healthy Hospital Street – How Biophilic Design is transforming healthcare in cities.
    Feb 12 2025
    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?Facebook https://www.facebook.com/journalofbiophilicdesign/Twitter https://twitter.com/JofBiophilicDsnLinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/company/journalofbiophilicdesign/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/journalofbiophilicdesign
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    34 mins
  • Seeing the Light: How Biophilic Lighting Design improves Health and Wellbeing

    Seeing the Light: How Biophilic Lighting Design improves Health and Wellbeing
    Jan 23 2025
    In a world increasingly dominated by artificial environments, the importance of reconnecting with nature has never been more crucial. Xander Cadisch, head of the independent research arm Light Tribe of Phos, is on a mission to illuminate the science behind biophilic design and its profound impact on human behaviour. He explores the electromagnetic spectrum explaining how light is part of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum, which includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared, and ultraviolet. - As you move from red to violet in the visible light spectrum, the wavelength gets shorter and the frequency increases. He goes on to share WHY this is important to us when we design spaces. Xander explains how we emerged out of the sea and how our eyes still carry those salt water ducts which are reminders of where we evolved from. He goes on to explain the evolutionary journey that has hardwired our brains to respond to the natural rhythms of light and colour. "We've always had these intrinsic links to the rising and setting of the sun and all these different colour variations and intensities and wavelengths that the sun gives us at night, at daytime, and then removed at night." However, the modern human now spends a staggering 90% of their time indoors, deprived of this vital connection. "It's less than the legal requirement for maximum security prisoners," he says. This disconnect has profound consequences, as our eyes and brains are wired to thrive on the sensory experiences found in the natural world. "Light is one of the main guiding forces to the world around us," he says. "Potentially 80% of how we interact with the world around us comes from what we see." From the way certain wavelengths can influence our mood and productivity, to the importance of shadows and contrast in creating a sense of harmony, the science behind lighting design is complex and often overlooked. He cites the example of a study in Sacramento, where simply turning employees' desks to face a window tripled their productivity, with the business making an additional $3,000 per employee. The solution, he believes, lies in embracing the principles of biophilic design - not just adding plants, but carefully considering texture, colour, and the interplay of light and shadow. By reintroducing the "organized chaos" of nature into our built environments, he argues, we can unlock the full potential of our senses and improve our health, wellbeing, and productivity. It's a vision that could transform the way we design the spaces we inhabit, one wavelength at a time.www.phos.co.ukHave 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 xDid 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.comCredits: 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/JofBiophilicDsnLinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/company/journalofbiophilicdesign/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/journalofbiophilicdesign
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    47 mins

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