On the 12th of November 2024, over 300 key players in urban design, health and climate resilience met in the Barbican and online to discuss how to design cities, healthcare, schools, and homes better. Designers and practitioners from the NHS, Dept of Education, Wildlife Trusts, Real Estate owners and investors, Asset managers, media including the BBC, Stop Ecocide International and academia convened and presented in the 9 hour long Biophilic Design Conference.
The Construction Industry’s Environmental Footprint: A Critical Moment for Change
The construction industry is a powerhouse of global economic activity, but it comes at a significant environmental cost. In the UK, the sector is responsible for nearly 45% of total carbon emissions. Within this, domestic buildings account for 27%, while non-domestic buildings contribute 18%. This staggering impact underscores the need for urgent action to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint. Construction processes are energy-intensive, and the long lifecycle of buildings—from design and construction to demolition—generates substantial emissions and waste. As the world faces the escalating climate crisis, construction is under increasing scrutiny to adapt and meet international sustainability goals.
The UK government’s commitment at COP26 to cut emissions by at least 68% by 2030 has placed immense pressure on all sectors to adopt more sustainable practices. For the construction industry, this means rethinking how buildings are designed, constructed, and maintained. However, the potential to create sustainable, environmentally-friendly spaces is within reach. By embracing innovations like biophilic design, the sector can not only meet these goals but also create healthier, more productive environments for the people who use them.
Biophilic Design: A Solution for Sustainable, People-Centric Construction
Biophilic design is a powerful approach to sustainable building, emphasizing the integration of nature into the built environment. It involves incorporating natural elements—such as natural light, air, plants, and materials—into architectural spaces. As awareness of the environmental and health impacts of construction grows, biophilic design has gained recognition as a critical strategy to reduce energy consumption, improve air quality, and enhance biodiversity.
The term “biophilia,” coined by sociobiologist E.O. Wilson, refers to humanity’s intrinsic connection to nature. Wilson’s Biophilia Hypothesis suggests that this innate affinity for nature is essential for human well-being. When this connection is severed, as it often is in modern urban environments and workplaces, both our physical and mental health suffer. Not only do these disconnected spaces lead to poor air quality, increased stress, and diminished cognitive function, but they also contribute to environmental degradation. This is where biophilic design offers an opportunity to reverse the trend.
The Many Benefits of Biophilic Design for Sustainability and Health
Biophilic design is not just about aesthetic appeal—it’s a holistic approach that integrates nature to enhance both sustainability and well-being. Research has consistently shown that environments designed with biophilic principles can significantly reduce energy use, improve air quality, and even promote biodiversity. By introducing more green spaces, natural materials, and natural lighting into buildings, energy consumption can be reduced, and operational costs can be lowered.
Moreover, biophilic design improves the health and productivity of individuals within these spaces. In the workplace, studies have demonstrated that employees who work in environments with natural elements are more engaged, have higher job satisfaction, and report less stress. This leads to greater productivity and, ultimately, a more effective workforce. In healthcare settings, patients have been shown to recover faster in biophilic spaces, and in prisons, biophilic environments can help reduce recidivism by providing a calming atmosphere that supports rehabilitation.
The Business Case for Biophilic Design in Construction
While the environmental and health benefits of biophilic design are clear, the economic case is also compelling. In an era of rising energy costs and greater awareness of corporate social responsibility, adopting biophilic principles can enhance a building’s long-term value. Sustainable buildings with biophilic features can attract tenants and investors, reduce operational costs, and improve occupant satisfaction. Moreover, integrating nature into design can help meet increasingly stringent regulatory requirements, allowing companies to stay ahead of sustainability trends.
The movement toward sustainable building practices and biophilic design is no longer just a trend; it is becoming a necessity. For construction firms, architects, and developers, embracing biophilic design presents a unique opportunity to create spaces that not only contribute to the health of the planet but also deliver tangible benefits for businesses and individuals alike. As the sector faces growing pressure to reduce its environmental impact, biophilic design offers a sustainable path forward that can help mitigate the construction industry’s environmental footprint while simultaneously improving quality of life for people within these spaces.
2025 will see a whole series of events which will build on the success and impact the 2024 inaugural Biophilic Design Conference is already having on industry and opinion.
The time is now, we have a mental and physical health crisis, a climate crisis. We are proposing using a simple Biophilic Framework (which is in effect a mindset shift across all parties), it will not only mitigate climate change (as it advocates tree planting for instance, green walls to cool buildings, windows to allow natural light, but with solar shading to reduce heat in the summer for instance) right down to increasing biodiversity net gains in the smallest of footprints (so off setting the BNG off site doesn’t have to be the easiest option, the easiest option is on site which also helps reduce mental health issues and increases productivity, reduces absenteeism and staff turnover, while speeds up recovery in health care). It really isn’t rocket science, it’s a simple Biophilic Framework we all can use to accelerate this change needed to green our cities and get our people back to work faster and happier while making our citizens happier and healthier and all the positive economic impact this brings.
You can be part of the movement. This article just begins to explore the vast potential of biophilic design. By incorporating natural elements throughout the entire lifecycle of buildings—from design and construction to daily operation—biophilic design has the power to transform urban spaces, offices, healthcare facilities, and homes. It provides a framework for creating environments that support human well-being, promote environmental sustainability, and improve overall quality of life. To dive deeper into this growing field, connect with the expanding network of biophilic design professionals dedicated to reshaping the future of our built environment.
Watch the Biophilic Design Conference on catch up www.biophilicdesignconference.com
The Journal of Biophilic Design, founded by Dr. Vanessa Champion, is a pioneering platform exploring how nature influences human health, productivity, and well-being through design. With a PhD from UCL and a background in media, Vanessa’s career includes editing a London newspaper and founding a consultancy with high-profile clients, from the BBC to the NHS. But it was witnessing firsthand the healing power of nature in hospital settings that inspired her to create the Journal. By bridging research and practice, the publication showcases how biophilic design—bringing nature into built environments—supports people, planet, and place. Vanessa, a passionate nature lover and photographer, also creates “Virtual Nature Walls” for healthcare and workspaces, while leading the philanthropic PhotoAid Global Foundation to promote social impact through media and design.
Vanessa Champion PhD, founder and editor Journal of Biophilic Design
www.journalofbiophilicdesign.com
[Image credits: All from “Unsplash“. Banner image by Robert Bye; upper image Charlie Harris; lower image George Dagerotip]