Overview

In our second edition of Nature Inside, we describe the key benefits, principles and processes of biophilic design, illustrating the implementation of biophilic design in interior design practice, across a range of international case studies – at different scales, and different typologies. Opening with a foreword by English designer Thomas Heatherwick of Heatherwick Studio, the book follows with the principles of biophilic design, and the principles and processes in practice, the book then showcases a variety of interior spaces, including 60+ case studies representing designers and projects from around the world, showcasing biophilic homes, stores, hotels, offices, schools, health facilities, factories and civic spaces.

At the end, we bring it all together to contemplate the biophilic community life, followed by our toolkit based on nearly two decades of biophilic design consulting and research. With practical guidance and real-world solutions that can be directly-applied in day-to-day practice, this new edition is a must-have for designers interested in applying biophilic principles and educators aiming to instill science, creativity and innovation among their students.

Details

Authors: William D. Browning and Catherine O. Ryan
Publisher: RIBA Publishing
Release date: July 1, 2026
Page count: 304

• Routledge / Taylor & Francis (US and Worldwide)
  • Buy 3+ copies, get 25% discount
  • Instructors considering Nature Inside for course adoption may request inspection copies here
• RIBA Books (UK)
• Amazon (Worldwide; use the ISBN number to search non-US Amazon sites)

Sneak Peek

The second edition includes several new and exceptional project case studies from around the world, as well as expanded content, such as a characteristics panel highlighting design processes pursued, perspectives impacted and design patterns incorporated for each project.

The Health Outcomes table has also been updated with new research. We hope you find this content handy in your own research, practice and instruction.

The research data and sources from the Health Outcomes table in the Toolkit of Nature Inside are useful resources for validating evidence based design strategies for a project.

Contents

Foreword         Thomas Heatherwick

Introduction     What is biophilia and what does it mean for buildings and spaces?

1. The scientific and business case for biophilic design
2. Biophilia in the design process
3. Intimate scale: biophilic arts and craftsmanship
4. In the home: cherished residences
5. In the school: supportive learning
6. In the store: enticing retail
7. In the office: focused and creative workspaces
8. In the hotel: exceptional guest experiences
9. In the hospital: effective healing environments
10. In the factory: productive manufactories
11. In the community: convivial civic spaces
12. In the urban landscape: restorative pocket parks and promenades
13. Putting it all together
14. Toolkit

APPENDICES

Acknowledgements
Endnotes
Index
Image Credits