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Ten Sensory takeaways from the Biophilic Design Conference

We have pages and pages of notes from the Journal of Biophilic Design Conference! It’s challenging to distill so many inspiring ideas and projects, but here are just a few takeaways that resonated…

  • Siobhan Wyatt, Maggie's Centres: While "journeys" in design have become clichéd, thoughtful pause-points in a building allow people to process complex emotions. Create spaces that encourage the eyes to wander—small details matter.
  • Gijs Bruggink, ORGA architect: A reminder, courtesy of Bill Browning, to focus on a few biophilic patterns and execute them well. The image shown is ORGA's beautiful Oosterhout Bay project.
  • Prof. Harriet Shortt, Bath Spa University: The more we move forward, the further we come back––biophilic design takes us back to our evolutionary roots. How can we bring the benefits of home working (comfort, cosiness, curation) into our offices?
  • Prof Geoffrey Proffitt: Nature doesn’t operate in straight lines. The more complex the water’s edge, the richer the opportunities for nature to thrive.
  • Jean Hewitt, Buro Happold: Designing for neurodiversity calls for clarity, control, and calm. Spaces should be easy to understand, offer a sense of control and use thoughtful design to encourage restoration.
  • Xander Cadisch, Phos | B Corp: We spend more time indoors than maximum security prisoners. Value-engineering lighting can harm our health—LED blue lights can suppress sleep like a double shot of espresso.
  • Nicholas Atherton, Natural Dimensions Landscape Architecture and Urban Design: Landscaping can integrate a building into its surroundings––for instance, they used raised mounds to embed a school building into nature.
  • Robert Bedner, Cura Design: No site is a blank canvas—it’s already full of life.
  • Martin Brown, FRSA, Living Future Europe: A reminder that if you're too busy to spend 20 minutes in nature, then you need to spend an hour in nature.
  • Vanessa Champion PhD: Design with heart; with honesty and integrity.

(Image: ORGA Architect)

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