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!
Learning to let Nature in and design spaces that breathe
Journal of Biophilic Design
47 minutes 37 seconds
4 months ago
Learning to let Nature in and design spaces that breathe
Interior spaces can become sanctuaries that nurture human health, well-being, and our fundamental connection to the living systems around us when we adopt Biophilic Design principles. We speak with Nuria Munoz, interior designer and founder of the Habitarmonia Academy, who shares her experience and offers an inspiring perspective on this transformative power of Biophilic Design.
"Buildings would breathe, cities would heal, and nature would be woven into every space we touch," Munoz envisions. Her approach goes beyond aesthetic decoration, representing an holistic reimagining of how we interact with our built environments.
At its core, biophilic design is about creating deep, meaningful connections. "The more you are connected to biophilia, you slow down and connect with your client on a deeper level," Nuria explains. This approach transforms design from a mechanical process to an empathetic journey of understanding human needs and experiences.
The design process becomes a collaborative exploration. She uses innovative techniques like nature connection surveys and playful card games to understand clients' relationships with their environment. "We ask how often they go to nature, how connected they are," she shares, highlighting the importance of personal connection in design.
Biophilic design engages all senses, creating spaces that nurture well-being. From carefully selected materials to lighting and spatial experiences, every element is considered. Nuria’s's approach incorporates meditation, embodiment exercises, and deep understanding of neuroscience to create truly transformative spaces.
The design world is witnessing exciting developments. Cities are becoming greener, with innovative approaches like free rainwater collection systems and street transformation projects. Technology like VR and AI are also creating new possibilities for connecting people with nature-inspired experiences.
"People are fed up with the old way," Nuria observes. "There's a lot of stress and anxiety, and people are starting to understand we can live differently."
The Broader Impact
Biophilic design extends beyond individual spaces. It's about planetary health, regenerative leadership, and creating environments that enhance life. "We should be asking with every decision: Is it going to enhance life?" Munoz challenges designers and individuals alike.
Her Habitarmonia Academy takes this philosophy further, offering comprehensive courses that transform designers into advocates for holistic, nature-connected design. The upcoming One Earth symposium in Barcelona will bring together experts to bridge neuroscience, environmental psychology, and design.
Nuria is co-organizing a five-day symposium in Barcelona from June 30th to July 4th, bringing together neuroscience and environmental psychology experts like Ty Farrow and Bill Browning, which includes keynote speakers, workshops, city visits, and immersive experiences designed to bridge scientific understanding with practical biophilic design applications.
For Nuria, biophilic design is more than a trend—it's a necessary paradigm shift. "Little changes have a massive ripple effect," she emphasizes. It's about taking responsibility, making conscious choices, and recognizing our fundamental connection to the natural world.
As cities evolve and design practices transform, biophilic principles offer a beacon of hope—a way to create spaces that not only shelter us but truly nurture our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Follow and connect with Nuria and try the Habitarmonia academy, plus get your hands on the New Earth One Symposium in Barcelona:
Habitarmonia Ecosystem: A global community platform connecting professionals in biophilic and well-being design to collaborate, learn, and co-create regenerative solutions.https://www.habitarmonia-academy.com/habitarmonia-ecosystem
Habitarmonia Academy: An educational branch offering specialized courses and certifications in biophilic and well-being design, integrating neuroscience, sustainability, and regenerative practices.
https://www.habitarmonia-academy.com/
Our State-of-the-Art Biophilic and Well-being Design Course: A flagship 12-week program that empowers participants to master biophilic design principles, tools, and applications for transformative, health-centered spaces.
Englishhttps://www.habitarmonia-academy.com/designing-spaces-heal-inspire-uplift-lives
Spanishhttps://www.habitarmonia-academy.com/curso-diseno-biofilico-y-bienestar-habitarmonia-es
Habitarmonia Studio: A consultancy and creative design studio delivering expert services in biophilic, well-being, and regenerative design projects across sectors.
https://www.habitarmonia.eu/
New Project: HEAL (Human Environment Architectural Laboratory)- In preparation of Website: An innovation hub and collective focused on designing life-centric, regenerative spaces that heal people and ecosystems through research-based, nature-integrated approaches.https://www.healarch.com/
Collaborator of Symposium in Barcelona: A key organizing partner and content curator for an international symposium exploring neuroarchitecture, environmental psychology, and biophilic design
https://new-earth.one/symposium/
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!