Vanessa Champion, editor, Journal of Biophilic Design
100 episodes
5 days ago
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.
And now, we’re thrilled to announce that 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-conference
Session schedule : https://journalofbiophilicdesign.com/-2025-conference-sessions
Connect 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-investigation
They 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/JofBiophilicDsn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/journalofbiophilicdesign/
https://www.instagram.com/journalofbiophilicdesign
If you like this,please subscribe!
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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.
And now, we’re thrilled to announce that 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-conference
Session schedule : https://journalofbiophilicdesign.com/-2025-conference-sessions
Connect 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-investigation
They 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/JofBiophilicDsn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/journalofbiophilicdesign/
https://www.instagram.com/journalofbiophilicdesign
If you like this,please subscribe!
Blurring Boundaries, Biophilia and US Modernist Architecture
Journal of Biophilic Design
49 minutes 49 seconds
3 weeks ago
Blurring Boundaries, Biophilia and US Modernist Architecture
US Modernist architecture and Biophilic Design share a philosophical alignment, both fundamentally committed to creating human-centric spaces that celebrate our intrinsic connection to nature. By prioritising natural light, material authenticity, and design that responds to human behavioural patterns, these approaches transform buildings from mere shelters into living, breathing environments.
Architects like Frank Lloyd Wright and Richard Neutra were pioneering biophilia decades before the term existed as a design principle, strategically integrating large windows, natural materials, and designs that blur indoor-outdoor boundaries. Their work demonstrates that truly great architecture isn't about imposing human structures on the landscape, but about creating harmonious spaces that enhance human well-being by maintaining a deep, sensory dialogue with the natural world. This shared vision sees buildings not as static objects, but as dynamic systems that support physical, psychological, and emotional health through thoughtful, nature-inspired design.
What if your home could be more than just a container for living? What if it could enhance your wellbeing, sync with natural rhythms, and make you feel truly alive?
Imagine a house that breathes with the landscape, where windows frame nature like living paintings and every design choice connects you to the world outside We speak with George Smart, founder of US Modernist the award-winning archive and podcast dedicated to preserving and celebrating Modernist design.
We chat about Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic Fallingwater house perched over a waterfall and how architect Richard Neutra would spend entire weekends with families, observing their daily routines to design homes that perfectly supported their lifestyle. We also explore how technological innovations like air conditioning and steel construction opened up radical new possibilities for design.
Technology played a crucial role in the US Modernist movement. The advent of air conditioning, steel construction, and large glass panels allowed architects to create open, light-filled spaces that blurred indoor and outdoor boundaries. California, with its stunning landscapes and consistent climate, became a laboratory for these experimental designs.
For anyone curious about design, architecture, or how our surroundings impact our wellbeing, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in, get inspired, and discover how great design can transform our connection to the world around us.
Want to dive deeper? Visit US Modernist's website or check out their podcast for more architectural adventures.
https://www.usmodernist.org
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 Conference www.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.
https://www.facebook.com/journalofbiophilicdesign/
https://twitter.com/JofBiophilicDsn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/journalofbiophilicdesign/
https://www.instagram.com/journalofbiophilicdesign
If you like this,please subscribe!
Journal of Biophilic Design
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.
And now, we’re thrilled to announce that 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-conference
Session schedule : https://journalofbiophilicdesign.com/-2025-conference-sessions
Connect 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-investigation
They 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/JofBiophilicDsn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/journalofbiophilicdesign/
https://www.instagram.com/journalofbiophilicdesign
If you like this,please subscribe!