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 Psychology & Mental Health Science Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • Ecourbanism, Microbiomes and the Biophilia Hypothesis - transforming places for people and planet.

    Ecourbanism, Microbiomes and the Biophilia Hypothesis - transforming places for people and planet.
    Apr 30 2025
    In the concrete jungle of modern urban living, we've lost something fundamental: our connection to the natural world. But Biophilic Design is offering a lifeline, promising to transform our cities from sterile, energy-hungry environments into vibrant, living ecosystems that nurture both human health and planetary well-being.We speak with Luke Engleback, who has over 40 years' experience as a designer at all scales. We talk about biophilic design, ecourbanism, biodiversity, climate change adaptation and health. Luke is a board member and former chair of the Landscape Foundation. He also sits on the Landscape Institute Policy and Public Affairs Committee, and the Midlands Design Panel, the Cambridge Quality Panel and the South Downs National Park. For Luke Biophilic Design isn't just another architectural trend. It's a radical reimagining of how we live, work, and interact with our surroundings. At its heart lies a simple yet profound understanding: we are not separate from nature, but intrinsically part of it.Recent groundbreaking research provides compelling evidence of nature's transformative power. In Finland, a remarkable study revealed the profound impact of natural environments on children's health. Two daycare centres became an unexpected laboratory of discovery. One centre introduced forest soil and leaf litter into its play area, allowing children to get delightfully messy. The results were astonishing. Children in this natural setting developed more diverse microbiomes and, crucially, had fewer harmful pathogens compared to their peers in clinically clean environments.Similar research in Barcelona uncovered another revelation. Medical researchers discovered that children raised in greener urban spaces demonstrated significantly better cognitive performance. This wasn't about wealth or privilege, but about the fundamental human need to connect with living systems.These aren't isolated examples, but part of a growing understanding that our built environments dramatically impact our physical and mental well-being. Climate change has accelerated this recognition. Cities are becoming unbearable heat islands, with temperatures rising dramatically. But biophilic design offers a sophisticated, multi-layered solution. Eco-urbanism emerges as the critical framework for this transformative approach. It's not just design, but a holistic systems thinking methodology that challenges traditional urban planning. Where conventional approaches work in rigid, isolated silos – treating transportation, water management, energy, and green spaces as separate challenges – eco-urbanism sees the city as a living, interconnected organism.Luke Engelback describes this approach as "elastic thinking" – the ability to zoom in and out, understanding how individual interventions connect to broader ecological systems. It's about breaking down artificial boundaries between disciplines, recognizing that a rain garden isn't just about managing water, but about hydrating urban soils, supporting biodiversity, sequestering carbon, and creating cooling microclimates.This systems approach means reimagining every urban element. A street becomes more than a transportation corridor – it's a potential site for water management, carbon capture, biodiversity support, and community well-being. A building's facade isn't just a structural element, but an opportunity for vertical gardens, air purification, and thermal regulation.Innovative urban planners are reimagining cityscapes as living, breathing entities. In Florence, architects designed a revolutionary urban cooling system using natural wind patterns, channelling sea breezes over water features to reduce the need for energy-intensive air conditioning. In the UK, a visionary project Luke worked on in Ashford proposed transforming large agricultural fields into interconnected woodland patches, simultaneously addressing flooding risks, carbon sequestration, and landscape restoration.But biophilic design isn't just about grand architectural gestures. It's accessible to everyone. As landscape architect Luke passionately argues, even small actions matter. A pot plant on a windowsill, a patch of wildflowers instead of a concrete driveway – these seemingly minor interventions create a cumulative positive impact.The potential is extraordinary. Imagine cities where every surface becomes an opportunity for life – green roofs, living walls, urban forests, and integrated water management systems. Where buildings don't just shelter us but actively contribute to ecological regeneration.This isn't wishful thinking. Luke reminds us that leading scientists like Edward O. Wilson have long advocated for a radical reimagining of our relationship with the natural world. His vision of dedicating half the Earth to nature isn't about creating vast, untouchable reserves, but about understanding our fundamental interdependence.Biophilic design represents a paradigm shift from the destructive, linear "...
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    58 mins
  • Biophilic City - Birmingham's Radical Urban Transformation

    Biophilic City - Birmingham's Radical Urban Transformation
    Apr 17 2025
    In an inspiring conversation with the Journal of Biophilic Design, Nick Grayson, Birmingham's former climate change and sustainability manager, reveals how cities can revolutionise urban living by putting nature at the heart of decision-making.Nick's journey from a curious child fascinated by understanding "how all this works" to becoming a pioneering urban transformation expert is a testament to the power of vision and persistent innovation. His most powerful message resonates clearly: "Cities are themselves generating 80% of global emissions and 75 to 80% of nature loss around the world." The turning point came when Nick realised that urban spaces needed a fundamental mindset shift. "Nature isn't something we add on or allow to exist in cities," he explains. "We need to recognize how wholly dependent we are on it, both at an individual and global scale."Birmingham's transformation became a global blueprint for urban regeneration. Nick's shorthand for a biophilic city is deceptively simple yet profound: "Cities that put nature at the heart of their decision making." His approach was revolutionary. By creating ecosystem assessments and climate risk maps, he made the "invisible visible". These visual representations showed stark inequalities - demonstrating how green space availability directly correlated with life expectancy and quality of life. "Every city in the world should do a climate risk and vulnerability assessment," Nick argues. By combining multiple data sets, cities can illustrate existing crises - economic, social, and environmental - and understand how these interconnect."We aren't short of money. We're short of imagination and proper governance," he says. "There isn't a single example of a sustainable city anywhere in the world…The biggest failure of our time is saying we haven't got any money."Nick's vision extends beyond Birmingham. He highlights the urgent global challenge: approximately 20 billion cities of a million people are being created due to rapid urbanisation. "Are they all being done to a sustainable model?" he challenges.His advice for designers and urban planners is both practical and inspirational. "Ask 'why'," he suggests. "Consider what elements of change can be achieved through whatever you're planning. Make it as rich as possible and involve as many players as possible."The ultimate goal, according to Nick, is creating cities where every person can engage with nature daily. "A biophilic city regenerates human consciousness," he explains, "making us more aware of our connections and the richness of planet Earth." Listening to him, we can all take the practical steps he recommends including - Engaging local communities- Creating green infrastructure master plans- Developing fair park standards- Prioritising funding for underserved areasNick's work proves that transformation is possible. Birmingham, once considered a concrete jungle, is now part of a global network of biophilic cities alongside San Francisco, Wellington, and Oslo.His parting vision is both simple and profound: cities where nature is integral to daily life, where people feel connected to the land, and where human consciousness is regenerated through meaningful environmental engagement.For urban designers, planners, and citizens alike, Nick Grayson's message is clear: change is not just possible, it's imperative. By reimagining our relationship with nature, we can create cities that are not just sustainable, but truly alive.As Nick poignantly states, drawing inspiration from astronauts viewing Earth from space, we need a perspective shift - one that sees our urban environments as living, breathing ecosystems where humans and nature coexist in harmony.The future of our cities depends on our willingness to embrace this vision. Are we ready to transform? Visit https://journalofbiophilicdesign.com/podcasts-journal-of-biophilic-design and search for this podcast to view over 30 references and links. If you like this, please subscribe! You can also become a member of the JBD.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 xLove Biophilic Design? Watch the 1st Biophilic Design Conference 2024 on catch up www.biophilicdesignconference.comCredits: with thanks to George Harvey Audio Production for the calming biophilic soundscape that backs all our podcasts. https://www.facebook.com/journalofbiophilicdesign/ https://twitter.com/JofBiophilicDsnhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/journalofbiophilicdesign/https://www.instagram.com/journalofbiophilicdesign
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    53 mins
  • Building Hope with Sustainable and Biophilic Construction

    Building Hope with Sustainable and Biophilic Construction
    Apr 17 2025

    In the battle against climate change, few sectors are as critical—and challenging—as construction. Simon Corbey, CEO of the Alliance for Sustainable Building Products, is leading a quiet revolution that could transform how we think about the buildings we inhabit and the best bit, it embraces Biophilic Design. With a background spanning chartered surveying, international travel, and a deep commitment to environmental sustainability, Simon has become a pivotal figure in reimagining our built environment. His journey from working in a groundbreaking eco-resource centre to heading an organisation with 165 members reveals a passionate commitment to systemic change. The statistics Simon shares are sobering. Buildings account for 42% of global CO2 emissions, with just four common materials—cement, iron, steel, and aluminium—responsible for 15% of that total. Yet Simon is not merely a prophet of doom, but a beacon of practical solutions. "We know all the answers," he explains, "we just need to implement them." His organisation champions bio-based materials, natural insulation, and designs that prioritise both human and planetary health. Timber construction, for instance, can reduce embodied carbon by up to 50% compared to traditional methods. Simon's vision extends beyond materials. He advocates for buildings that are not just environmentally sustainable, but psychologically nurturing. Exposed timber, natural light, and carefully chosen materials can create spaces that actively improve human wellbeing, reducing stress and increasing productivity. The Alliance's work includes promoting radical transparency in construction. Their "Impact" project, for example, allows building users to trace materials back to their forest of origin, connecting consumers with the ecological story behind their built environment. Critically, Simon understands that change requires both innovation and pragmatism. The organisation works closely with forward-thinking clients like the Department of Education, which is now setting embodied carbon targets for new schools. The approach is refreshingly holistic. "We're not just talking about reducing carbon," he says, "we're talking about creating healthier, more connected communities." Community hop-growing schemes, collaborative design, and a focus on local, sustainable materials are all part of his broader vision. The challenges are significant. The construction industry remains notoriously resistant to change, with short-term economic considerations often trumping long-term sustainability. Yet Simon remains optimistic, pointing to growing awareness and legislative changes like the EU's new deforestation regulations. Simon's magic brush would paint a world of bio-based buildings, comfortable temperatures, low energy bills, and strong community connections. It's a vision that feels both radical and eminently sensible. For those feeling overwhelmed by climate crisis narratives, Simon offers hope: the solutions exist. We simply need the collective will to implement them. The future of construction is not about building more, but building better and thinking with a Biophilic Design mindset can really help us all make better decisions which won’t negatively impact people and planet but rather uplift, heal and regenerate life. https://asbp.org.uk/team/simon-corbey 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
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    Less than 1 minute

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