Restorative urban design: Cities Designed to Heal
The construction crew across the street started at 6:30 AM sharp yesterday, which meant I was awake whether I wanted to be or not. But honestly? Watching them work got…
Eco Friendly Outdoor Furniture Atlanta: Where to Shop
You know, I never thought I'd be writing about outdoor furniture shopping, but here I am after spending three weeks traipsing around Atlanta helping my cousin Sarah set up her…
Regenerative building design: Structures That Give Back
I was standing in the ruins of what used to be a thriving wetland behind a strip mall in Phoenix last month when it hit me – we've got this…
Biophilic office space: Examples and Benefits
The corporate wellness consultant called it "sick building syndrome," but honestly, I'd been watching it happen for months before anyone gave it an official name. Three floors of grey cubicles,…
Why Most “Revolutionary” Green Building Research is Complete BS (And How to Find the Good Stuff)
So there I was yesterday morning, coffee getting cold, staring at three different research papers about mycelium building materials. You know those mushroom-based products everyone’s talking about? Well, according to…
Restorative workplace interior design: Offices That Heal
Three months ago, I walked into a corporate office in downtown Portland that literally made my skin crawl. I'm not being dramatic here – the combination of flickering fluorescent lights,…
The Real Story About Non-Toxic Furniture Paint (After Testing 40+ Products)
My colleague Jennifer from the chemistry lab stopped by my office yesterday, looking frustrated. She’d spent her weekend trying to refinish an antique dresser using what the store promised was…
What Materials Are Used in Green Building? Overview
Standing in a half-finished renovation project last Tuesday, watching a contractor argue with his crew about which insulation to install, I realised how much confusion still exists around sustainable building…
My Eye-Opening Trip to China’s Green Building Materials Factories
Last spring I found myself wandering through this absolutely massive manufacturing facility outside Shenzhen, and honestly? I kept having to remind myself I wasn’t dreaming. My guide Li Wei –…
Biophilic restaurant design: Dining with Nature Indoors
The server at this little place in Portland set down my plate of wild salmon – locally caught, she mentioned – and something clicked. Not just about the food, which…