Biophilic design as a practice relies on nature-based systems, engineering principles and design cues to improve environmental quality, human health, and systems efficiency. As a connective language and ethos, biophilic design provides a platform for uniting disparate disciplines in the built environment. Together — as practice, language and ethos — biophilic design can directly support resilience in human health and the built environment. Advisory board members of the International Living Future Institute’s Biophilic Design Initiative have together published a perspective on the contribution of biophilic design to climate change resilience and adaptation in the March 2019 issue of Frontiers in the building Environment, entitled “Biophilic Design and Climate Change: Performance Parameters for Health”.

Article: Front. Built Environ., 19 March 2019 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2019.00028
Authors: Julia Africa, Judith Heerwagen, Catie Ryan, Vivian Loftness

The article represents a first take at framing the relationship between climate science, neuroscience, architecture and resilience and ultimately hopes to encourage greater demonstration of professional mindfulness and responsibility in the built environment. Terrapin intends to continue feeding into this evolving conversation. Stay tuned, or catch up on our related blog features, such as Creating a Healthier World by Chris Garvin and Embracing the Ecological Perspective by Allison Bernett.

Header image courtesy of Arto Marttinen / Creative Commons