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Journal of Biophilic Design

Journal of Biophilic Design

By: Vanessa Champion editor Journal of Biophilic Design
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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. Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Science Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Biophilic Design and Innovative Place Typologies for a new Generation of Developers

    Biophilic Design and Innovative Place Typologies for a new Generation of Developers
    Nov 13 2025
    We have a climate crisis, housing shortages, and increasing urban disconnection, we need a pioneering radical approach to development that puts nature and human flourishing at its core. Human Nature, led by Joanna Yarrow, are creating living, breathing ecosystems that challenge how we normally go about urban design."We've boxed ourselves into a corner by having the starting point that we are separate from nature," Joanna explains. Places should not just exist alongside nature, they should be fundamentally integrated with it.Human Nature has identified three critical place typologies that could transform how we live. These are urban neighbourhoods, rural clusters, and new settlements. Their flagship project, the Phoenix in Lewes, East Sussex, demonstrates what's possible when we reimagine development."Places aren't just buildings. They are infrastructure, streets, parks, alleyways, rivers – a collection of components that includes hardware like pavements and water systems, and software like community services."The Phoenix project is a testament to this holistic approach. Spanning 7.9 hectares of former industrial land, it will become the UK's largest bio-based development, featuring 685 homes constructed primarily from natural materials like timber, hemp, and lime.But this isn't just about sustainable construction. It's about redesigning entire lifestyles. "We want to create the optimal precondition for a better, healthy, and more sustainable way of life." This means designing neighbourhoods where car dependency becomes unnecessary, where food production is integrated, and where nature isn't an afterthought but the central organising principle.Her background – growing up in a 64-acre working wood in Sussex – deeply influences her approach. "Nature was my playground," she recalls. This personal connection translates into a professional mission to mainstream sustainable living.The challenge, she argues, isn't technological. "Most of this is not rocket science. Most of this has been done already. We don't need to reinvent the wheel." Instead, we need collective will and a systemic reimagining of development.We should review the concept of “developers” to be not just extractive profit-makers, but as stewards with critical societal duty. "You are shaping people's lives for decades, generations to come. What a responsibility."Everyone can contribute to change. "The power sits with all of us to weave this into our everyday life.” This might mean walking a different route to work, engaging with local green spaces, or challenging existing development models.The benefits extend far beyond environmental considerations. These nature-integrated spaces promise improved mental health, community connection, and a sense of belonging that modern developments often strip away."Wouldn't it be wonderful, if our schools had forests instead of fences? If our walk to work included fruit trees, flowers, and bird song? If our homes and offices could breathe without us needing to open a window?"Projects like the Phoenix prove such transformative development is possible. By demonstrating viable alternatives, Human Nature is creating blueprints for a regenerative future. We can redesign our built environment to enhance not compromise both human and natural systems.https://humannature-places.com/Bonus show notes: Advice for Developers to Design Better, Based on Joanna Yarrow's insights:1. Shift Your Mindset- Stop seeing development as unit production and profit extraction- Become "stewards" rather than "extractors"- Recognise that you're shaping lives for generations, not just building temporary structures 2. Embrace Holistic Design- Don't just design buildings, design entire "places" that include: * Infrastructure * Streets * Parks * Community services * Green spaces- Consider the entire ecosystem, not just the physical structure 3. Prioritise Collaboration- Practice "deep collaboration" with: * Local communities * Specialist architects and designers * Environmental experts * Interest groups- Be transparent and open-source about your learning and processes 4. Focus on Positive Impact- Design with three core considerations: * Climate positive outcomes * Nature enhancement * Human flourishing- Create places that inspire and enable sustainable living5. Think Beyond Traditional Boundaries- Consider different place typologies: * Urban neighbourhoods * Rural clusters * New settlements- Customise design to specific bioregional contexts6. Integrate Nature Seamlessly- Don't treat nature as an "other" or additional feature- Centre nature in every design decision- Create multi-sensory experiences that connect humans with natural systems7. Enable Sustainable Lifestyles- Design spaces that make sustainable living: * Easy * Attractive * Accessible- Reduce car dependency- Incorporate food production- Create green corridors and natural infrastructure8. Engage Communities- Run collaborative design ...
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    53 mins
  • Biophilic design: buzzword or big deal? A Workplace Geeks investigation™️

    Biophilic design: buzzword or big deal? A Workplace Geeks investigation™️
    Nov 6 2025
    Welcome to this special episode of the Journal of Biophilic Design podcast. We’re really excited to share this feature from our very first Biophilic Design Conference, which took place at the iconic Barbican Centre in London. It was a landmark moment — the UK’s first-ever conference dedicated entirely to biophilic design — and we were joined by an amazing lineup of experts, designers and researchers exploring how connecting people and nature through design can transform our buildings and cities. This year’s conference is back — bigger and better than ever — at Westminster Central Hall in London on Sunday, 17th November. https://journalofbiophilicdesign.com/biophilic-design-conference Join us for a day of inspiring talks, interactive sessions, and meaningful connections with the people who are shaping the future of design for wellbeing, sustainability and climate resilience.This special edition of the Journal of Biophilic Design podcast is a podcast recorded by our friends at Workplace Geeks, Ian Ellison and Chris Moriarty. Host Ian Ellison sets out to explore a big question: Is biophilic design simply good design, or something we need to intentionally spotlight because of its unique importance to people, place and planet?In this deep dive, Ian speaks with a host of experts and thought leaders — including Dr Nigel Oseland, Dr Sally Augustin, Oliver Heath, Prof Harriet Shortt, Mark Catchlove, Dr Vanessa Champion, Matthew Burgess, Chloe Bullock, and Prof Geoff Proffitt — to unpack the science, theory, and lived experience behind biophilic design.You’ll hear:The psychological and evolutionary roots of our natural affinity for nature.Insights from the UK’s first Biophilic Design Conference and what made the Barbican such a fascinating venue.Real-world examples of biophilic design in action — from workplaces and clinics to urban spaces and beyond.Tune in to reflect, challenge assumptions, and join the ongoing conversation: is biophilic design just a feel-good concept, or is it the future of how we should be designing every environment?Book tickets to the 2nd Biophilic Design Conference - join us in PERSON and ONLINE https://journalofbiophilicdesign.com/biophilic-design-conferenceSession schedule : https://journalofbiophilicdesign.com/-2025-conference-sessionsConnect with the Workplace Geeks community:Share your thoughts using #WorkplaceGeeks or email hello@workplacegeeks.org.Follow @WorkplaceGeeks on LinkedIn and subscribe for more thought-provoking insights on workplace and design. To listen to the original visit https://www.buzzsprout.com/1933353/episodes/16903582-biophilic-design-buzzword-or-big-deal-a-workplace-geeks-investigationThey also have a listener survey live at the moment, with prizes, so do the survey too, that would be superb https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/WGls2025sv/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. 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.https://www.facebook.com/journalofbiophilicdesign/https://twitter.com/JofBiophilicDsnhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/journalofbiophilicdesign/https://www.instagram.com/journalofbiophilicdesignIf you like this,please subscribe!
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    Less than 1 minute
  • Can a Biophilic Strategy redefine our Urban Future?

    Can a Biophilic Strategy redefine our Urban Future?
    Nov 5 2025
    "The way we've conceived cities for the past 100 years has been far too extractive, far too one-dimensional. We need cities that are more productive, multi-dimensional, and adaptable." Ludo Pittie leads WSP’s 75-strong UK landscape and urban design team, guiding the company’s landscape strategy and design thinking, and is also driving a global WSP exploration of ‘the Future Ready Landscape’ which strives to anticipate future needs, and embed adaptable design practices to create sustainable places that are ready for today and tomorrow. Urban spaces should be biophilic interconnected systems that prioritise human and ecological wellbeing. This goes beyond traditional sustainability, we need regenerative design, an approach that doesn't just minimise harm, but actively restores and enhances natural systems. The 15-minute city concept reimagines urban living. "It's about providing essential social needs locally," Ludo explains. "Access to schools, food production, healthcare – all within a 15-minute radius. It's about creating communities that can truly thrive." Covid-19 unexpectedly accelerated this perspective. Locked down populations rediscovered local green spaces. At the same time our connection to nature has diminished by 60% over two centuries. The pandemic became an unexpected reset button, highlighting the critical importance of accessible, high-quality green environments. But transforming cities requires more than good intentions. We need for innovative financial frameworks that recognise nature's intrinsic value. Natural capital approaches are emerging, attempting to quantify ecosystem services previously taken for granted. "We haven't been putting a monetary sign on what nature provides," he says. "We've just extracted and taken nature for granted." Plus, the economic benefits of more nature and biophilic placemaking helps provide equal access to high-quality green spaces, which we know can improve public health, reduce NHS pressures, mitigate climate impacts, and create more resilient, socially cohesive communities. Practical examples are already emerging. Projects like Manchester's Greater Manchester Environment Fund and initiatives in Copenhagen and New York demonstrate how cities can integrate nature-based solutions. In New York, green infrastructure plans showed returns ten times higher than traditional engineering approaches, at a third of the cost. The future of urban design isn't about uniformity, but about "hyper-local solutions to global system change". Each city, each neighbourhood needs its own nuanced approach, respecting local ecology and cultural distinctiveness. In addition, we should be designing public spaces that balance people, planet, and place; continuing interdisciplinary collaborations, particularly with ecologists and water engineers; and maintaining a spirit of continuous innovation and learning. Community engagement is paramount. Successful urban restoration isn't imposed from above but co-created with local residents. Emerging stewardship models, like community interest companies managing green spaces, show promising alternatives to traditional top-down management. Looking towards 2050, we have cause to be optimistic. "We've never had so many mechanisms at our disposal," he says. Regenerative design could be the bridge connecting different disciplines, creating holistic solutions to complex urban challenges. Just imagine a world where everyone has a view of nature from where they live, with high-quality green spaces within a 10-minute walk. This would fundamentally reshape our relationship with urban environments. Ludo will be speaking at the Biophilic Design Conference on 17 November, Click here to find out more and book your online and in person tickets (plus watch on catch up!): https://journalofbiophilicdesign.com/biophilic-design-conference To find out more about some of the project that Ludo was speaking about in the podcast look at: https://www.wsp.com/en-gb/hubs/future-ready-landscapeshttps://www.wsp.com/en-gb/projects/islington-council-and-wsp-explore-pathways-to-finance-nature-in-citieshttps://www.wsp.com/-/media/insights/uk/documents/wsp-biodiversity-in-the-city.pdfhttps://www.tcpa.org.uk/areas-of-work/new-towns/long-term-stewardship/https://barkingriverside.london/https://commonland.com/4-returns-framework/https://naturetownsandcities.org.uk/https://mayfieldpark.com/https://www.wsp.com/en-gb/projects/earls-court-developmenthttps://www.c40.org/case-studies/c40-good-practice-guides-copenhagen-cloudburst-management-plan/https://www.nyc.gov/site/dep/environment/cloudburst.pagehttps://www.nyc.gov/assets/dep/downloads/pdf/water/stormwater/green-infrastructure/nyc-green-infrastructure-plan-2010.pdf - key take away: “the overall cost of the Green Infrastructure Plan would be approximately $5.3 billion, $1.5 billion less than the $6.8 billion required for the Grey Strategy”.“After a 20-year period, DEP estimates that New Yorkers...
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    57 mins
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