Nestled along Mexico's Pacific coast, David Leventhal's Playa Viva is redefining hospitality through a radical commitment to regenerative design. More than just a boutique hotel, it's a living ecosystem where architecture breathes, nature flows freely, and every material tells a story of sustainability.

Imagine waking in a treehouse suspended among palm trees, with no doors or windows—just an uninterrupted connection to the landscape. This is Leventhal's vision: hospitality that doesn't just minimize environmental impact, but actively regenerates it.

The resort's structures are poetry in natural materials. Bamboo "bones" form parabolic roofs, carefully woven and raised by hand. Shower floors become canvases of meticulously placed pebbles, each stone positioned with artisan precision. Wall pigments are sourced locally—rich oranges and browns extracted directly from mountain landscapes, mixed with unconventional ingredients like hay, horse manure, and even turtle eggshells.

"We're not just building rooms," Leventhal explains, "we're creating experiences that transform how humans interact with environment."

This transformation begins with radical design choices. Solar panels provide 100% off-grid electricity. Air conditioning is minimised, with innovative systems like the "Evening Breeze" technology cooling only specific areas. The goal isn't comfort through separation, but comfort through connection.

The resort sits on 200 acres of regenerating landscape, including a critical turtle sanctuary. Local community members—many former poachers—now protect endangered turtle species, releasing hatchlings at dawn under careful supervision.

The broader ReSiMar project demonstrates Leventhal's systemic approach to ecological restoration. Starting from mountain headwaters and extending to the coastline, this watershed regeneration initiative has already documented remarkable recoveries, including recent jaguar sightings in the Sierra Madre Mountains.

What makes Playa Viva revolutionary isn't just its sustainable infrastructure, but its philosophical approach. Each design decision emerges from deep respect for place—understanding geological, anthropological, and ecological histories before a single structure is built.

Guests aren't passive observers but active participants in this regenerative narrative. Yoga retreats, farm experiences, and community engagement transform vacationing from consumption to connection. The resort's B-Corp certification and recent Michelin keys underscore its commitment to excellence through ecological integrity.

Leventhal's background in media and technology might seem an unlikely pathway to ecological design. Yet his journey reveals how personal transformation drives systemic change. "Change happens little by little," he reflects, "until it happens all at once."

This philosophy permeates every aspect of Playa Viva. The manta ray-inspired treehouses, the infinity casita with its locally sourced manufactured wood, the organic farm—each element represents a deliberate choice to work with, not against, natural systems.

For travellers seeking more than a temporary escape, Playa Viva offers a glimpse of possible futures. Here, luxury isn't about isolation and excess, but about deep, meaningful engagement with living landscapes.

As climate challenges intensify, Leventhal's model provides a compelling blueprint. Regenerative design isn't a luxury—it's a necessity. By reimagining hospitality as a collaborative dance with ecological systems, Playa Viva demonstrates that sustainable travel can be both profoundly beautiful and transformative.

The resort whispers an essential truth: humans aren't separate from nature, but integral participants in complex, interconnected living systems. And in that understanding lies our most profound opportunity for healing—one treehouse, one turtle, one thoughtfully placed pebble at a time.

https://www.playaviva.com

https://oceanfdn.org/projects/la-tortuga-viva/

Have a listen to the podcast we did with Louis Thompson, partner of Nomadic Resorts mentioned by David. Louis and his partner designed rooms at Playa Viva https://journalofbiophilicdesign.com/podcast-journal-of-biophilic-design/nomadic-resorts-biophilic-design-hotels

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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.

Those of us who live and breathe biophilic design, this philosophy aligns with scientific research. Studies consistently demonstrate that exposure to natural environments reduces stress, enhances cognitive function, and promotes emotional well-being. Adam himself references Florence Williams' "The Nature Fix", which explores how nature can make us "happier, healthier, and more creative".

Also, their approach supports the positive economic argument for biophilic design. Their pocket park project in London demonstrated that nature-rich spaces can increase property values and biodiversity simultaneously. 

Plus, a collaboration with Anglian Water explored how housing developments could integrate resilient, nature-focused landscapes, and they are advocating a new “Resilient Garden” rating, which like the EPC rating on a house, could add value to a property if reported along with a house sale. I think this is a brilliant idea. It will get real estate developers and property owners totally thinking differently about their homes and land. This "resilient garden and landscape accreditation scheme" would be an ecological equivalent to energy ratings for buildings. This could revolutionise how we value and integrate natural systems into our built environment

Policy is slowly catching up. The introduction of a Natural History GCSE this September (which they both, along with others, including Mary Colwell I interviewed a couple of years back) represents a significant milestone. "If children don't understand nature, they won't appreciate it, and if they don't appreciate it, they won't protect it," Adam recalls Sir David Attenborough telling him – a statement that has become a guiding principle for their work.

"We don't stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing," Adam reminds us, and their hospital design interventions are creative, beautiful and indeed playful. By creating gardens with living elements like water pumps, rabbits, and carefully selected native plants, they transform clinical spaces into healing ecosystems. These actively support patient recovery.

As climate change accelerates, landscape architecture becomes a critical tool for resilience. Their designs are also adaptive systems that can mitigate environmental challenges while supporting human and ecological well-being.

What I love about their work is that they challenge the notion that sustainable design is prohibitively expensive. By using creative, low-cost interventions like raised planting containers and willow pods, they demonstrate that ecological design can be accessible and scalable.

I have to call out one specific example of climate resilience from their work, and that is at Nene Park Trust in Cambridgeshire. They used swales to manage water collection during heavy rainfall. These swales are designed to be both functional and interactive, with bridges and stepping stones that children can use to cross them. Their conscious approach to help with water management through strategically designed swales, planting of resilient vegetation that can thrive in changing conditions and creating a playful landscape that serves both ecological and recreational purposes really deserves visiting and using as an exemplar of best practice. 

They've been working with the park trust for 15 years, and when they revisited the site recently, they were impressed by how the planting had thrived in conditions that might typically challenge other landscapes.

Andrée shared that we need a better understanding "nature's time" - recognising that landscapes develop and improve over years, with plants establishing and becoming more robust over time. This approach is inherently climate-resilient, as it focuses on creating adaptable, living systems rather than static, rigid designs.

As the next generation of designers emerges – armed with natural history education and a deep ecological consciousness – we hope we can anticipate even more transformative approaches to landscape design.

The message is clear. Design is not about creating spaces for humans but creating spaces with humans as PART of a complex, interconnected ecological system. Biophilic landscape architecture is a powerful tool for healing our disconnection from the natural world.

RHS Back to Nature - Design Engagement - https://www.davieswhite.co.uk/nature-play-workshop

Davies White Ltd Landscape Architects - https://www.davieswhite.co.uk/

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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.

Grassroots Tree Planting Initiatives

Let’s also not forget the power of local people. There are many examples of community involvement, and you can find out about local tree planting groups across the UK who are already making significant impacts and get involved with, or support from them. These groups often achieve more successful plantings than official programmes because of their hands-on, passionate approach.

So what if you’re thinking about taking practical steps to support community action? Did you know that you are likely to have a local tree officer? Find out who your nearest one is. Explore community forest networks, engage with school parent-teacher associations, connect with organisations like Trees for Cities and of course use the online resources on TDAG and join their seminars which are free.

A crucial aspect of Sue and TDAG’s work involves education. Through her involvement with Teach the Future, she advocates integrating climate and nature studies across all school subjects, believing that informed younger generations can drive meaningful change.

Sue is also calling for comprehensive land use frameworks that integrate trees and green infrastructure into urban planning. She suggests local authorities should develop clear tree strategies that provide developers with consistent, achievable green space requirements.

As Sue says, “We need to bring people and nature together as partners, rather than antagonists.” Wouldn’t it be amazing if everyone of us reading this or listening to the interview, did something to change our local street, village or town. We planted a tree, got involved in the local tree planting groups or even better when we specified, we advocated for tree-lined boulevards and amazing arboreal environments. They don’t need to be perfect, manicured spaces but living, breathing urban environments where humans and nature coexist and mutually benefit.

Every individual, community group, and organisation has a role to play in creating greener, more resilient cities.

Resources like the Trees and Design Action Group's website offer free guides and inspiration. By sharing knowledge, challenging outdated perceptions, and taking practical steps, we can transform our urban landscapes.

To find out more visit TDAG (Tree Design Action Group) website: https://www.tdag.org.u

*Book your ticket to see Sue and TDAG at The Biophilic Design Conference www.biophilicdesignconference.com

The Biophilic Quality Matric (for building design) , University of Sydney - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266679162500003X

Edge Debate - debates and papers are here: www.edgedebate.com 

Teach the Future is here - https://www.teachthefuture.uk/  

Rockstrom and Tim Lenten - global tipping points 2025 -
https://global-tipping-points.org/?team=johan-rockstrom )
https://global-tipping-points.org/conference-2025/conference-statement/

The second guide in their two-part series on Canopy Cover is now available and free to download here. This guide outlines how canopy cover can be measured at a site scale and approaches that can be taken to project canopy spread over decades, which is useful in the planning context. http://epapers.bham.ac.uk/4397/

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 experienced a serious health crisis, Jenna applied her design principles directly. By carefully controlling environmental factors—ensuring good air quality, playing classical music he loved, and creating visual references to positive memories—she supported his cognitive recovery.

Just like the Journal of Biophilic Design, crucially, Jenna emphasises breaking down disciplinary barriers. She sees innovation happening in the "messy middle" between traditional fields, advocating for a more holistic, collaborative approach to design. This means bringing together engineers, architects, psychologists, and other professionals to create truly comprehensive solutions.

Biophilic design plays a central role in this approach. Drawing inspiration from indigenous philosophies that emphasize human connection with place, Jenna believes our environments should reflect our fundamental need to connect with nature. It's not just about adding plants or windows but creating meaningful interactions between human spaces and natural systems.

Her vision extends beyond individual buildings to broader societal transformation. By designing with empathy, inclusivity, and a deep understanding of human needs, we can create spaces that support individual and collective well-being. This approach recognizes that our built environments are not just physical structures, but active participants in human experience.

When asked to paint the world with a "magic brush of biophilia," Jenna envisions a landscape of open-mindedness, beautiful light, and empowering interactions. She sees design as a tool for uplifting individuals, societies, and planetary health—achieving a symbiotic relationship that allows humans to truly flourish.

Her upcoming presentation at the Biophilic Design Conference promises to further explore these ideas, offering insights into how we can reimagine design as a holistic practice that supports human potential.

For architects, designers, and anyone interested in creating more supportive environments, Jenna offers a compelling message: Design is not just about creating spaces, but about nurturing human potential. By understanding the deep psychological and philosophical dimensions of our built environment, we can create spaces that don't just shelter us, but actively support our growth, creativity, and well-being.

I was so happy to interview Jenna, as I love her interdisciplinary approach. It’s important to remind ourselves that thoughtful, empathetic design can be a powerful catalyst for individual and collective transformation.  Biophilic Design helps us articulate this into the real world. 

To find out more about Jenna and Eudaimonia, connect with her on LinkedIn, her Google Scholar page  and visit the Harvard FxD page. 

Also check out Conscious Centre for Design, and the International WELL Building Institute, 

Also she would like to extend the opportunity to submit a chapter for an upcoming book she is editing visit  this link. 

Book tickets to see Jenna at Biophilic Design Conference www.biophilicdesignconference.com

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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.

When Steve purchased a farm near Atlanta with his family, they discovered that this close connection to nature fundamentally changed their lives. "I saw how we all responded when we connected back to nature," he reflects. 

With 1,200 residents, Serenbe demonstrates that sustainable, nature-integrated communities aren't just possible—they're desirable, and this goes beyond architecture, it's about creating living systems that nurture human potential.

Serenbe continues to evolve, with plans for an expanded educational campus. Plus, and watch out for updates in the press, an aging-in-place community promoting intergenerational living.

Steve bridges scientific understanding with emotional experience. While research increasingly validates biophilic design's benefits, he emphasises that the heart understands what science is only beginning to measure. "We are innately connected to nature," he says, and highlights how our intuitive feelings are confirmed by rigorous scientific research.

Start in your own backyard.

Steve's upcoming book, "Start in Your Own Backyard," extends this philosophy, encouraging individuals to create change in their immediate environments.

For those wanting to apply Serenbe's principles globally, Steve offers simple advice. Start where you have influence. Whether it's redesigning a neighbourhood, creating community gardens, or advocating for nature-integrated urban planning, every action matters. His book is out in October. https://stevenygren.com As Paul Hawken (author of Carbon) said of the book: “This is an extraordinary true-life story of transformation with worldwide implications.”

And designing communities with Biophilic Design on a global scale… 

Intentional design with carefully planned communities can transform neighbourhoods, communities, cities and dare I say it, even countries. If you are a designer, planner, real estate owner, influencer of any of these, by following the Serenbe pattern some of the things you will be looking at incorporating will be integrating nature within 450 feet of every home, create walkable, interconnected spaces, promote multi-generational living and support local agriculture and food systems.

All of this will create Holistic Well-being. The Serenbe Biophilic community proves that design can naturally improve health. Residents report losing weight, feeling more connected, and experiencing enhanced mental well-being—simply by living in a nature-integrated environment.

Plus, there’s the Community Connection. The simple design elements like communal mailboxes create spontaneous social interactions, demonstrating how physical spaces can foster human connections.

When asked to paint the world with a biophilic brush, Steve envisions a landscape that embraces nature—not separate from civilisation but woven into human experience.

Serenbe isn't just a community, it's a living blueprint for how humans can reimagine their relationship with the natural world. It proves that when we design with nature, we design for human flourishing.

Steve will be speaking at our Biophilic Design Conference 17 November 2025 Westminster London www.biophilicdesignconference.com please come!

https://www.serenbe.com

To find our more and pre-order the book visit https://stevenygren.com

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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:

- Reduced cardiovascular disease risks
- Lower blood pressure
- Decreased stress hormone levels
- Improved cognitive function
- Enhanced mental health and emotional regulation

In our Journal of Biophilic Design podcast and the articles in the Journal itself, we often talk about how green spaces aren't just aesthetic additions—they're critical health interventions. Tuwanda here, shares that by incorporating natural elements like water features, organic shapes, natural lighting, and plant life, architects can create environments that actively support human physiological and psychological functioning.

The principles of biophilic design extend beyond mere decoration. They're rooted in understanding human evolutionary biology. Our bodies are fundamentally designed for natural environments, with sensory systems finely tuned to detect subtle environmental cues. Modern buildings often disconnect us from these innate biological rhythms.

"We've existed as homo sapiens for millennia in natural settings," Tuwanda emphasises. "Our brains are still processing environmental information subconsciously, seeking safety, resources, and connection."

Practical biophilic design strategies include:
- Maximising natural light exposure
- Creating visual connections with nature
- Incorporating water features and natural sounds
- Using organic, textured materials
- Designing spaces that encourage movement and social interaction

Tuwanda's own community at Serenbe (where the Biophilic Institute is based) exemplifies these principles. Curved streets, clustered housing, centralized communal spaces, and abundant green trails naturally encourage neighbourly interactions and physical activity.

The potential societal implications are profound. By redesigning our environments with human biology in mind, we could potentially:
- Reduce chronic stress
- Improve community cohesion
- Support mental health
- Mitigate intergenerational trauma
- Create more resilient, adaptive human populations

As climate change and urbanisation accelerate, biophilic design offers a holistic approach to human-centred architecture. It's not just about creating beautiful spaces, but about understanding and supporting our fundamental biological needs.

"Design creates communities. Well-designed environments can foster connection, support health, and potentially even contribute to world peace."

Our built environments are powerful determinants of human health. By embracing biophilic design principles, we can create spaces that don't just house us, but actively heal and nurture us.

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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.'"

The design went far beyond aesthetic considerations. A massive tree trunk became a focal point in a "nature immersive space", creating what Lisa describes as a moment of "awe and wonder". Local timber, tree screens, and carefully considered acoustics transformed a standard classroom into a nurturing environment.

Lisa's approach recognizes that children are increasingly disconnected from nature. "They're fighting technology addictions," she explains. "We're allowing them to be addicted to devices without giving them tools to connect with what they innately need."

Her vision extends beyond individual schools. She advocates for creating green community spaces where multi-generational families can reconnect with nature and each other. "We need to encourage society to step out of busyness and just sit on a bench with some nice planting and have basic, lovely conversations," she says.

The scientific principles behind her work are compelling. Biophilic design isn't just about making spaces look pretty – it's about creating environments that fundamentally support human well-being. Water features, natural light, organic shapes, and locally sourced materials all play crucial roles in designing spaces that help people feel calm, focused, and connected.

For Lisa, sustainability is intrinsically linked to design. She sources materials locally, encourages composting, and creates gardens that function as mini-ecosystems. "It's about creating spaces where we're living from the land, rather than relying on artificial, man-made solutions," she explains.

Her most powerful motivation comes from personal experience. With a son who has ADHD and struggled in traditional educational environments, Lisa understands firsthand how critical supportive spaces are for children's development.

"If we can make a difference to children who are struggling with anxiety or learning challenges, then we really owe it to our kids to do that," she says.

As technology continues to dominate our lives, Lisa Norton's work offers a compelling alternative – a reminder that our fundamental connection to nature is not a luxury, but a necessity. Her biophilic designs are more than just beautiful spaces; they are a blueprint for a more holistic, compassionate approach to education and human development.

In a world that often feels disconnected and overwhelming, her work offers hope – one garden, one classroom at a time.

Do check the Neurodiversity issue, where Lisa has written a beautiful article on Biophilic SEN schools https://journalofbiophilicdesign.com/shop/journal-of-biophilic-design-issue-9-neurodiversity-ebook-version

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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 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 an holistic experience that nurtures both human potential and ecological connection.

He shares with us highlights from his recent book "Unworking," and traces the fascinating evolution of workplace design and champions biophilic principles as a critical solution to our modern work challenges.

The journey begins with agrarian societies, where work was intimately connected to nature - tasks performed on kitchen tables, in fields, and closely aligned with natural rhythms. The industrial revolution dramatically changed this relationship, creating artificial, efficiency-driven environments that systematically separated workers from the natural world. “We created an artificial internal environment in which to work, and the idea of technology, process and industrialisation was very much about conquering nature and resisting nature and separating nature from how we work. We pushed nature back at the end of the 19th century. We kept it at bay during the 20th century. And now we're beginning to think, well, actually, more natural ways of working, outdoor space, access to natural light and clean air, closeness to plants and greenery. All of this helps working life, but we're having to kind of put in a superhuman effort to try and bring back something that was naturally part of our existence. There's a certain irony in that there.”

Workplaces became sterile containers designed to maximize productivity, with little consideration for human well-being or natural connections.

Jeremy identifies three distinct phases of workplace evolution: the age of efficiency, the age of community, and the age of network. Each phase represents a gradual recognition that workers are not machines, but complex beings who thrive in more holistic environments.

Today, we're entering a transformative fourth phase where biophilic design isn't just a nice-to-have, but a fundamental requirement. Digital technologies have liberated work from fixed locations, allowing for more flexible, nature-integrated approaches.

For Jeremy, biophilic design extends beyond mere aesthetics. It's about creating environments that support human health, productivity, and well-being. His work with the Healthy City Design Congress emphasizes reconnecting public health with urban planning - a relationship that was intrinsic during the Victorian era but was lost during industrialization.

We discuss innovative workplaces like GSK's London headquarters, which features a vertical farm, sit-stand desks, and carefully managed work environments. Booking.com's Amsterdam office demonstrates how biophilic principles can create socially permeable spaces that connect with broader community needs.

Biophilia in society extends beyond individual workspaces and places to entire urban landscapes. Jeremy advocates for the "15-minute city" concept, where essential services are accessible within a short walk or cycle, for example Paris design. This approach integrates nature, reduces car dependency, and creates more human-centric urban environments.

"We're trying to reconnect something that industrialisation broke," Jeremy says. His magic brush of biophilia would paint cities with more vegetation, slower traffic, and spaces that prioritize human and ecological well-being.

The future of work, according to Jeremy, is not about returning to traditional office models but creating diverse, flexible strategies that blend work and life. Hybrid working, technological integration, and biophilic design are key components of this transformation.

For Jeremy, biophilic design represents more than an architectural trend. It's a fundamental reimagining of how we interact with our environments, recognising that human productivity and well-being are intrinsically linked to our connection with nature.

If we embrace biophilic principles, we can create environments that support human potential, ecological sustainability, and a more holistic approach to work and urban living.

Find out more about the Health City Awards 2025, which aim to celebrate and recognise professional and research excellence in the design and planning of healthy and sustainable cities and communities around the world, with entries being accepted until 4 September 2025. https://www.healthycitydesign.global/images/uploads/docs/HCD2025_Awards_Call_for_Entries.pdf

To enter visit: https://www.healthycitydesign.global/awards/submission-process

To learn more about the Worktech academy: https://www.worktechacademy.com

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Biophilic Design Conference www.biophilicdesignconference.com

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

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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

End-of-Life Solutions:
- Mechanical recycling: Melting and repurposing PLA products
- Chemical recycling: Low-temperature process breaking down materials
- Composting: Complete degradation without microplastic residue

I think there is an exciting potential for designers here looking for alternatives to plastics, and it is something that as artists, specifiers, designers we can ask our suppliers to look at for us. Let’s help them find alternatives and help scale biobased materials that have the potential to replace plastics in our environment.
Hao showcased intricate 3D-printed examples, including life-sized hands holding a bowl and a detailed dragon sculpture, demonstrating PLA's capacity for complex, nature-inspired designs.

Recommendations for Architects and Designers:
- Explore PLA alternatives in packaging and temporary structures
- Consider PLA for decorative and functional objects
- Investigate textile and upholstery applications
- Prioritise end-of-life solutions in material selection

Hao's parting message resonates with hope: "2030 is not far away, and we all have targets to achieve." For architects and designers committed to sustainability, PLA represents an exciting pathway to more environmentally responsible design.

To find out more visit:  https://totalenergies-corbion.com/biobased/

If you like this, please subscribe!

Have you got a copy of the Journal? You can now subscribe as a member of the Journal of Biophilic Design or purchase a gorgeous coffee table reference copy or PDF download of the Journal journalofbiophilicdesign.comor Amazon and Kindle. 

Biophilic Design Conferencewww.biophilicdesignconference.com

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

Listen to our podcast on Audible, Amazon Music, Spotify, iTunes, YouTube and all the RSS feeds.

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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.

The School of Biophilia also teaches children to understand why connecting with nature is beneficial - not just how to do it. They want to cultivate a generation that questions current practices and understands the deeper ecological relationships. They believe children can become mini warriors who take environmental knowledge home, influencing their families and communities. Similar to how children drove recycling awareness, they see kids as potential change agents who can shift societal attitudes towards nature.

Ultimately, children are our future leaders, policymakers, designers, and community builders and we hope that those who engage in teaching like this from The School of Biophilia will embed a sense of reciprocity and care for the natural environment in their professional and personal lives. Empowering children to become nature advocates and teaching them to observe, appreciate, and understand their environment, they are cultivating a generation of future leaders who will prioritise environmental stewardship. 

Read their article in The Biophilic Design and Light edition, Issue 15 of The Journal of Biophilic Design herehttps://journalofbiophilicdesign.com/shop/journal-of-biophilic-design-issue-15-light-ebook-version

To find out more, join up, download resources from The School of Biophilia visit:

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