Restore design architecture: A Complete Guide
Yesterday I stumbled across a photo from my Singapore days – me standing in the ruins of what used to be the Raffles Hotel's original wing, hard hat crooked on…
Biophilic library: Creating Calming Study Environments
I can still smell that particular blend of aged paper and eucalyptus that hit me the moment I walked into the Geisel Library renovation project three years ago. The university…
Thirty Years of Sorting Through Green Building Material BS – What Actually Works
Last Thursday I’m standing in my warehouse looking at a pallet of bamboo countertops that just came back from an angry customer. Delaminating after less than two years, adhesive smell…
Biophilic design in hotels: Case Studies and Best Practices
Last month I found myself standing in the lobby of the 1 Hotels Brooklyn Bridge, completely mesmerized by what I was experiencing. Not just seeing – experiencing. The space felt…
Biophilic lounge: Relaxation Spaces with Natural Elements
My architect friend Sarah called me up last Tuesday, practically vibrating with excitement through the phone. "You have to see what I did to my therapist's office," she said. Now,…
Eco-Friendly Furniture Materials: Environmental Impact Comparison
I was standing in my friend Maria's living room last Tuesday, running my hand along her new dining table, when she asked the question that launched this entire mental rabbit…
Starting Your Biophilic Design Implementation: A Practical Guide
The most common mistake I see in biophilic design attempts is people trying to do everything simultaneously. They buy fifteen plants, paint walls green, install expensive water features, overhaul furniture—then…
Biophilic space: Creating Natural Environments Indoors
Yesterday morning, I found myself standing barefoot on cold hardwood, staring at what used to be my grandmother's antique secretary desk. I'd just finished converting it into what I'm calling…
Why I Stopped Designing Pretty Rooms and Started Thinking About Buildings as Living Systems
Last week I was standing in a client’s living room that looked absolutely gorgeous – perfectly coordinated colours, beautiful sustainable furniture, natural fibre rugs, low-VOC paint on the walls –…
Biophilic shop: Where to Find Nature-Inspired Goods
Shopping for biophilic design elements used to be like hunting for unicorns. I'd spend entire weekends traipsing through generic home improvement stores, squinting at plastic plants and wondering if anyone…