Biophilic rooms: Interior Design That Connects to Nature
The other day I walked into this café in Portland – nothing fancy, just your typical exposed brick and Edison bulbs situation – but something stopped me dead in my…
Furniture Eco Friendly: How to Shop Sustainably
My friend Sarah called me last Tuesday, practically in tears over her dining room table. She'd just discovered the gorgeous mid-century piece she'd been saving for had been treated with…
Biophilic design in the workplace: Health and Wellbeing Benefits
Walking through the gleaming corporate headquarters of a tech company in Austin last month, I couldn't help but notice how lifeless everything felt. Sure, the space was impressive – soaring…
Why Restoration Projects Are Gold Mines for Natural Design (What I Learned From Three Real Projects)
I’ll be honest – I never paid much attention to old buildings until we started looking at houses in older neighborhoods for better school districts. Most of the places we…
Restorative landscape design: Outdoor Spaces That Heal
Last month, I found myself sitting in a hospital waiting room that felt like a concrete bunker – harsh fluorescent lights, beige walls, and the only "nature" being a sad…
Green Office Building Materials: Workplace Sustainability
The fluorescent lights hummed overhead while I sat in another beige conference room, reviewing material specifications for what felt like the hundredth office building project of my career. The architect…
Eco Friendly Garden Furniture UK: British Retailers Guide
Last month I found myself sitting in a soggy corner of my garden, staring at a set of teak chairs that had definitely seen better days. The finish was peeling,…
What I Learned Teaching People to Restore Old Buildings Without Killing Their Soul
You know that feeling when you walk into an abandoned building and see plants growing through the floorboards? There’s something weirdly beautiful about it – like nature is having this…
Green Home Building Materials for Residential Projects
Walking through Home Depot last Tuesday, I overheard a conversation that made me stop in my tracks. Two contractors were debating whether to use spray foam insulation or go with…
Biophilic design standards: Frameworks for Natural Architecture
The building certification came back with a failing grade on indoor air quality, and honestly, I wasn't surprised. I'd been working with this corporate client for six months, trying to…