Imagine stepping into an intensive care unit (ICU) that doesn’t resemble the sterile, intimidating space you’d expect. Instead, you’re welcomed by natural light streaming in through large windows, walls adorned with calming nature scenes, and live plants contributing to a sense of tranquility amidst bustling healthcare workers and advanced medical equipment. This setting isn’t from a utopian dream
Imagine stepping into an intensive care unit (ICU) that feels like a breath of fresh air. Rather than being surrounded by the stark, sterile environment you’d expect, you find yourself immersed in nature-inspired elements: walls with soothing greens and blues mimic tranquil forests or calm oceans; natural light filters through roomy windows; even sounds of babbling brooks can be heard subtly in th
Imagine strolling down a city street where the songs of birds mingle with conversation, sunlight filters through abundant greenery, and every turn offers an oasis in the hustle and bustle. Welcome to a biophilic city, which isn’t just another urban area but rather one that embraces nature at its core.
A biophilic city intertwines natural elements seamlessly into its design—think more parks inters
Living in my tiny Chicago studio has made me hyperaware of how much our built environment affects our mental health. When I’m stuck staring at that brick wall three feet…
You know what hit me the other day while I was watching my kids play in our backyard? They were completely absorbed building fairy houses under the Japanese maple I…
After thirty-eight years in the same house, I’ve lived through enough design trends to make your head spin. I remember when everything was harvest gold and avocado green, then came…
You know, after thirty-eight years in the same house, I’ve watched our suburban neighborhood change in ways that don’t always make sense. More pavement, fewer trees, houses built right up…
You know that feeling when you’re hiking through a forest or sitting by a lake, and suddenly everything just feels… right? Your shoulders drop, you breathe deeper, and for a…
You know that feeling when you step outside after being cooped up in the house all day? That sense of relief when you’re finally breathing fresh air, maybe hearing birds…
So I saw the Amazon Spheres trending on my Instagram feed again last week – you know, those massive glass dome things in Seattle that look like giant snow globes…
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about something that struck me during a recent doctor’s appointment. The waiting room was one of those typical medical office spaces – fluorescent lights…
I’ll be honest – I never thought much about hospital design until I started spending more time in them. Between visiting family members and a couple of my own procedures…
Living in the same house for nearly four decades gives you a front-row seat to how communities grow and change around you. What started as farmland beyond our back fence…
# When Buildings Come Alive: My Journey Into Nature-Inspired Architecture You know how sometimes you walk into a space and it just feels completely different? That happened to me last…
I’ve been following the work of nonprofit organizations in promoting what they call biophilic design, and I have to say, it’s impressive how much these groups are accomplishing on limited…