This essay is an expanded version of a LinkedIn article that Bill posted on July 1, 2026. Dynamic and Diffuse Light is one of the 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design that sometimes gets overlooked. This may be due to people thinking that the pattern is just focused on bringing daylight into a space. Daylight is […]
Instagramability wasn’t a term the Port or the design team tossed around when developing a concept for the all-user bathrooms at the new PDX airport terminal. But here we are, 10 years later and there are several threads on Instagram and TikTok showcasing and commenting on the airport’s newest ‘destination’. What should we think when […]
Mind Body Space is no entry level exhibit of biophilic and regenerative design—it’s an intimate gathering of minds. Niels Hofstee and Michaël Vrijhof, the principals of Office for the New Earth (ONE), along with Nuria Muñoz Arce of Habitarmonia Academy & Ecosystem, were the co-organizers of the Mind Body Space Global Symposium in Amsterdam this […]
| Working with the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper, Terrapin used Phoebe (Framework for the Built Ecological Environment) to help develop their pilot Blue Economy Framework. The Blue Economy Framework is a strategic plan for coordinating the major stakeholders of watershed hydrology (industry, agriculture, municipal supply and wastewater, etc) around the goal of protecting water resources. — Read More
| This year’s annual AIA Convention in Philadelphia featured panels with both Bill Browning and Chris Garvin, who shared insights on global sustainable building trends and evidence-based design. — Read More
| Chris Garvin’s presentation and the other talks at Biomimicry 2016: The Road to Resiliency conference are now available online! — Read More
| This year, biophilic design was a large theme at the International Living Future Institute’s Living Future unConference in Seattle, WA. The conference featured the first ever Biophilic Design Summit and Catie Ryan spoke in the session “Biophilic Design: Achieving Broad Adoption.” — Read More
| Although our first three biophilic design case studies were well-received, we felt that our next case study should focus on a smaller but just as significant project: the biophilic outhouse. This audaciously simple design leaves the user fully exposed to the natural surroundings for the maximum biophilic experience. Read the full case study below: Confused? […] — Read More
| Our partner Bill Browning was recently interviewed about biophilia in hospitality design by Sleeper Magazine, a publication for global hotel design. — Read More
| Our Ecological Design Framework (referred to simply as “Phoebe”) focuses on the most impactful project opportunities that will result in positive change on-site and far beyond the project property line. Reframing traditional green building metrics and transforming them into bold built ecological goals provides a structured but open forum for teams to achieve meaningful ecological change. — Read More
| Bill’s Greenbuild 2015 session, Biophilic Design in Context: Applications for Culture & Climate, is now available online! Hear from Bill Browning, Clif Bar’s Elysa Hammond and Glumac Engineering’s Nicole Isle as they discuss the application of biophilic design patterns across different building types, climates, and cultures. — Read More
| Our partner Bill Browning will be heading out to L.A. to talk about biophilic design at BD West, a trade fair and conference focused on hospitality design. — Read More
| Terrapin helped the developer of a new master planned community create an energy and infrastructure strategy to achieve NZE for fixed income homeowners. — Read More
| Understanding how cities are intricately interdependent on ecosystems allows us to make strategic design decisions for regenerative and healthful cities. — Read More
| A closer look at the biophilic design pattern Complexity & Order for establishing meaningful translations of nature’s complexities in the built environment. — Read More
| The name Terrapin signifies the founders’ roots and our mission to uplift humanity and the natural world we depend on. — Read More
| Terrapin had a great 2015! Explore our holiday card full of hidden hints to what we were up to this past year! — Read More
| Terrapin directed NYSERDA’s bioinspired innovation program, helping companies and researchers develop technologies with environmental and economic benefits. — Read More
| A look at the science behind visual comfort and productivity through non-rhythmic sensory stimuli. — Read More
| Tilden Towers is a vulnerable public housing superblock. A new proposal for retrofits hopes to improve community resilience and quality of life. — Read More
| Our partner Bob Fox was elected to the 2016 U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Board of Directors by the USGBC membership. He will be serving for a three year term alongside Mike McNally, Chrissa Pagitsas, Janine Benyus, Paul Anastas, Aaron Bernstein, and Bruce Oreck. In January, Bob was selected to be vice-chair of the board. Chrissa Pagitas, the Director […] — Read More
| Terrapin has released three new case studies highlighting the application and benefits of biophilic design. — Read More
| Biophilic urban acupuncture aims to reconnect people to nature by using targeted biophilic interventions in urban environments for better health outcomes. — Read More
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