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.
This is a bonus podcast based on Environmental Psychology where we interview Dr Sally Augustin to pick up advice on home design. We look at our homes from the point of view of a New Season and that it brings with it itchy feet or a desire to spring clean and switch up the interiors of your home. Maybe this year more than ever we've been in Lockdown for months now, all over the world, we've had time to look at the four walls we are living and working in, and we either love them or loathe them!
Ever struggled with over watering your plants? Or going the other end of the spectrum and leaving them like they've had a month in the Sahara? There are tips on different plant species which are great ideal starter plants, plus also advice on which plants are best for helping get rid of air pollutants. At the end of the podcast, you too will be excited about creating green spaces in your workplaces and homes…
Creating New Environments with Plants and Biophilic Design - Personalisation of space is a key message in this podcast with Kenneth Freeman, Biophilic Design and horticultural consultant. He shares with us, tips on how Biophilic Design supports and benefits the whole person, how it enhances a whole sensory environment. Some designers might separate off those elements from Biophilic Design, but they are all an integral part, including views, improved acoustics, lighting, ergonomics and when used together provides us with an holistic solution. It's all about comfort…
When you design with Biophilia in mind, you can transform buildings for the better. We look at Case Studies of Residential Architecture which use Biophilic Design to bring light, texture and inspiration to homes. Amos Goldreich of AG Architecture, an award-winning architectural practice shares with us his vision and how and why Biophilic Design were important in these spaces in relation to those who were using them and discusses 4 key elements of Biophilic Design..
There are many metaphors of nature in cyber space which we use without even thinking about it: clouds, streams, webs, and so on. Dr Sue Thomas has conducted research on how we can use technology to enhance our connection with nature. In this podcast we talk about how the huge amount of research and environmental science data has shown the benefits of nature on our wellbeing, including reducing blood pressure and other measurable benefits. Sue has also studied research on the effects of engaging with nature on devices, through technology, such as watching wildlife shows and even playing video games. She shares her concept of Technobiophilia. We talk about a real mix of things, ideas you can do on your commute or at your office desk, from plants, to stones, alpacas on Instagram, Farmville, live streams from eagles nests, fixed nature webcams, and lots more...
When was the last time you took a “nature break”? Hobie Hare, founder of “Your Life Nature” encourages us not only to take some time and get out into nature but also to bring Biophilia into our homes, with reminders of positive emotions, maybe it’s seashells from the beech, or a photograph that conjures an emotion that resonates with you…
There’s an awesome event coming up in London which you should attend if you can. Planted Cities. It is going to be held in one of London’s greatest regeneration success stories and is run by Deborah Spencer who set up Design Junction, one of the biggest design shows in Europe for the last decade and Sam Peters, former Sunday Times journalist. We speak with Sam, to find out more about it. Planted is all about reconnecting people…
Biophilic Design is becoming increasingly recognised as an essential design element in interiors and architecture. Lâl Dalay recently published the results of her research on “The Impact of Biophilic Design Elements on the Atmospheric Perception of the Interior Space”. We speak to her today about how biophilc design elements have an impact on people. Her focus is on the sensory effect the different Biophilic Design enhancements have on us…
In the first of a series of short 10 minute podcasts with our partner Lara Cowan at The Botanic Shed, School of Nature, where she shares tips and science on why and how nature is good for us. Today we talk about Soil. You will learn some surprising facts about soil, from he smell, the bacteria, the negative ions therein and more. She also suggests a few things you can plant out at the weekend, from Broad beans to leeks… to get you out of the house and engaging in the gorgeousness of soil..
Rapid Growth Urban Forest Creation... to me it seems like a dream concept, being able to rewild urban environments quickly to help the environment, bring biodiversity, create wildlife corridors, rooftop forests, school bee forests, support community and individual health and wellbeing and more... The Miyawaki Method of rapid forestation is based on observing and mimicking nature. These forests are maintenance free in 3 years. This is a fascinating conversation with James Godfrey-Faussett, founder of Wild Urban Spaces, practitioner and advocate of the Miyawaki Method, where you will learn how James and his team densely plant indigenous trees at a mix of canopy heights, which kinds of trees, where you can go an see and experience one…
A familiar face to thousands of TV viewers, award-winning interior designer, George Bond first appeared on TV as co-presenter on ITV “better Homes”: with Carol Vorderman. In his own interior design practice he has transformed homes and spaces into amazing spaces. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, is a judge, served as director on various professional societies, but most of all he is a visionary creative interior designer…
Learn how to boost your immune system, create foundations of health, how you can support your body to help recuperation and establish foundations of health using nature. The Journal of Biophilic Design is all about how we can bring nature and natural elements into our spaces and lives to make our lives happier and healthier. One of the key things is of course our health. We speak to Owen Wiseman, an inspirational medical advisor based in Canada whose practice is based on naturopathy. We chat about everything from supporting your body with green exercise to how natural light can make a difference..
Fascinating and positive conversation with Glen Cousquer, covering biology, philosophy and the concept of the self, we talk conservation medicine, experiential education including getting outdoors, and exploring the concept of listening not only for human relationships but also listening to the living world around us. He is a qualified Vet, but after realising how there were underlying issues affecting different eco systems he moved away from the traditional veterinary model into developing a more holistic approach to health and welfare concerns…
Normality is just a point in time. We are in such a strange place, so many gold posts have shifted personally as well as in the workplace. Uncertainty is our opportunity, because nothing stands still everything is connected in some way. In this fascinating and compelling pod/videocast with Neil Usher, Chief Workplace and Change Strategisy at GoSpace AI we discuss his new book Elemental Change and how this period is a fantastic opportunity, we have to capture the energy of uncertainty and do some amazing things…
At the end of this podcast you’ll be well-armed with enough interior design tips all based on science, to transform your office to create the best environment to help you focus, be creative, stay calm, feel rested and be productive! You will learn how to move your furniture around to create a prospect and refuge scenario to help you get more done, how wood grain helps you feel more comfortable, why views of natural elements, and views of nature are important, why you need natural light to enhance our circadian rhythm, how to change the soundscape and scentscape in your offices and homes to help keep everyone happy and relaxed and able to focus!
Biophilic Design has so many aspects to it, it is not just plants, greenery, light, colour ways, it is also about using natural materials in products, using natural materials to enhance a space and provide happiness and comfort to those using it. I spoke to the design team of AAID, Allen Architecture Interior Design, working together they created an hexagonal modular wall system made out of sustainable local and recycled materials which also employ local artisans and labour. Just as we do, each 'LINK” block relies on the one below, and can be adapted as shelves, planters, like little pods. Obviously the hexagon is an important shape in nature, just look inside a Bee Hive.
Carpets, glues, cigarette smoke, paints, plywood, emit gas, formaldehyde, benzene which are linked to cancer, anaemia, lung disease. These are in most workplaces and homes. We speak with Johanna Truestedt, based in Switzerland, she is Senior Consultant for Drees and Sommer on how we can improve air quality, making the working and living environment healthier by learning how the building lives.
Dr Joanna Leach is research fellow at the University of Birmingham. This is a fascinating podcast where some surprising green initiatives being implemented in Biophilic Cities are discussed, think bats and bridges as well as incredible edible towns. The more connected we are with our environment and nature the better. Imagine a city where we can see nature, smell fresh air, hear bird song. Dr Leach makes the really valid point that cities are not 'natural' entities, they are heavily engineered spaces, they are dense, and their impact goes far beyond their borders. We need to think of new ways to improve the environments while also improving the infrastructure of the spaces.
Shouldn't all employees be catered for when planning and designing a workspace? Oliver Baxter, based in Dubai, is one of a team of three who make up the Herman Miller Insight Group, their focus is holistic and human-centric. In our podcast we discuss biophilic design but also especially now, how intuition when planning workspaces is no longer appropriate, it has to be used on research, on evidence. Aligning this with actually catering for what your people actually "NEED" to do their job. Oli suggests that companies might do well to take a step back, when planning their workspaces. It should it be about catering for everybody, knee-jerk reactions are no longer appropriate as people's lives are on the line, and we need to consider the decisions we are making now…
