What I’ve Learned About Biophilic Design Certification at My Age

I’ll be honest – when I first heard about formal certification programs for biophilic design a few years back, my initial reaction was skeptical. Here I was, a retired engineer who’d spent the last eight years learning about this field through necessity and personal research, and suddenly there were official programs offering certificates in something I’d been figuring out through trial and error.

But the more I looked into it, especially after helping our church with their accessibility improvements and getting asked to speak at the senior center, the more I realized there might be value in understanding the formal side of this field. Not that I was planning to become a professional designer at my age, but knowledge is never wasted, and I was curious about what the experts were teaching compared to what I’d learned from hands-on experience.

**Why Consider Certification?**

From what I’ve observed helping other folks in our community with their home modifications, there’s a real hunger for information about creating healthier living spaces as we age. The modifications I made for my wife after her stroke – the accessible garden beds, improved natural lighting, the greenhouse – these weren’t just home improvements. They were interventions that genuinely improved her quality of life and mental health.

I started researching certification programs partly because I wanted to understand if what I’d been doing intuitively had solid science behind it. Turns out it does. The research on how natural light affects mood, how access to plants and outdoor spaces impacts pain management, how views of nature can speed healing – it’s extensive and compelling.

For someone like me who’s been sharing practical advice with other retirees and community groups, understanding the formal principles behind biophilic design has made me more confident in my recommendations. I’m not telling people to make expensive changes to their homes based on hunches anymore. I can point to actual research about why these modifications work.

The certification programs I’ve looked into aren’t just about getting credentials for employment – though that’s certainly part of it for younger folks. They’re about understanding the science behind what many of us older adults remember from childhood. Houses used to be designed with porches, large windows, connections to outdoor spaces. We somehow lost that knowledge as we focused on energy efficiency and sealed everything up. These programs are teaching people to bring that natural integration back, but with modern understanding of why it matters.

**What These Programs Actually Cover**

I’ve attended a few online workshops and read through several program curricula, and I have to say, they’re more comprehensive than I expected. It’s not just about adding some plants to indoor spaces and calling it biophilic design.

The coursework typically covers everything from environmental psychology – how spaces affect our mental and physical well-being – to practical applications of natural lighting, air quality improvement, and acoustic design. There’s substantial content on accessibility too, which impressed me. Creating spaces that work for people with mobility limitations or chronic health conditions isn’t an afterthought in good programs; it’s integrated throughout.

Some programs focus heavily on new construction and commercial spaces, which is less relevant for those of us modifying existing homes. But others have substantial content on retrofitting older buildings and working with limited budgets, which is much more practical for retirees looking to age in place successfully.

The International Living Future Institute offers one of the more comprehensive programs I’ve researched. Their approach combines the theoretical foundation – why biophilic design works – with practical application. They cover everything from material selection to space planning to maintenance considerations over time.

I also looked into programs offered by the Building Research Establishment in the UK. Their focus on evidence-based design appealed to my engineering background. They don’t just say “add plants” – they explain which plants work best for air purification, how to maintain proper humidity levels, what lighting conditions different plants need to thrive indoors.

**The Learning Process**

Most programs I’ve researched combine online coursework with hands-on projects. For someone my age who’s more comfortable with books and face-to-face learning, the online component was initially intimidating. But I’ve found that many programs accommodate different learning styles and technical comfort levels.

The project-based learning aspect is where these programs really shine. Instead of just reading about biophilic design principles, participants typically work on real-world applications. This might be redesigning a space in their own home, volunteering to help improve a community building, or partnering with local organizations that need design assistance.

I completed an informal version of this process when I worked with our church’s building committee. Taking what I’d learned from research and my own home modifications and applying it to a different space – a fellowship hall that needed better accessibility and more natural light – taught me things I never would have learned just from reading.

The examination component varies by program. Some require traditional tests, others focus on portfolio development and presentations. For someone who hasn’t been in a formal educational setting in decades, this was honestly the most intimidating part. But talking with program coordinators, I learned that many are designed for working professionals and recognize that participants bring different types of experience and knowledge to the table.

**Practical Considerations**

Let me be realistic about the practical aspects. These programs aren’t cheap, and they do require a significant time commitment. I’ve seen programs ranging from intensive three-week courses to part-time programs spread over six months. For retirees on fixed incomes, the cost can be prohibitive.

However, I’ve also found that many organizations offer reduced rates for seniors or community volunteers. Some programs have scholarship opportunities, especially if you’re willing to commit to using your knowledge for community service or educational purposes.

The time commitment varies widely. Some programs are designed for working professionals and offer evening or weekend classes. Others are more intensive but shorter duration. For retirees who have more flexible schedules, this can actually be an advantage.

I should mention that pursuing formal certification at this stage of life requires acknowledging that you’ll be learning alongside people who might be decades younger and have different professional goals. But I’ve found that the diversity of perspectives actually enriches the learning experience. Younger participants often have technical skills and knowledge of new materials and methods, while older participants bring practical experience and understanding of how spaces age and change over time.

**What You Actually Learn**

The skills gained from certification programs go well beyond what I’d figured out on my own through research and experimentation. Yes, I’d learned how to create accessible garden spaces and improve natural lighting in our home. But the formal programs teach systematic approaches to evaluating spaces, understanding how different elements work together, and predicting long-term maintenance and adaptation needs.

One area where formal training really added value was understanding the interaction between different design elements. For example, I knew that adding plants indoors improved air quality and provided psychological benefits. But I hadn’t fully understood how plant selection affects humidity levels, which impacts both comfort and the longevity of building materials. Or how the placement of plants affects natural light distribution throughout a room.

The programs also cover project management and communication skills, which turned out to be more valuable than I expected. When I was just making modifications to our own home, I could work at my own pace and make decisions independently. But when I started helping others – whether through church projects or informal consulting with other community members – I needed to be able to explain my reasoning, work within budgets and timelines, and coordinate with other people who had different priorities and constraints.

**Opportunities After Certification**

Now, I’m not looking to start a new career at this stage of my life. But I’ve been surprised by the opportunities that have opened up just from developing more formal knowledge in this area.

Our church asked me to join their building and grounds committee officially, and my input has influenced several improvement projects beyond just the fellowship hall renovation. I’ve been invited to speak at other community organizations about aging-in-place modifications and accessible design.

More meaningfully, I’ve been able to provide more valuable assistance to other older adults who are dealing with similar challenges to what my wife and I faced. Instead of just sharing what worked for us, I can help them think through their specific situations and develop solutions that fit their needs, budgets, and physical limitations.

Some certified professionals do move into consulting work, even later in life. There’s growing demand for people who understand how to create healthier living environments for aging populations. But there are also opportunities in community education, policy advocacy, and volunteer work that can be fulfilling without the pressure of running a business.

**A Different Perspective on Learning**

What I’ve found most valuable about exploring formal certification – whether or not someone actually completes a full program – is how it changes your perspective on everyday spaces. I now notice things I never paid attention to before. How does the lighting in this doctor’s office affect patients who might already be anxious? Why does this grocery store feel so unpleasant to spend time in? How could this senior center be modified to be more welcoming and supportive for people with mobility limitations?

This awareness has made me a better advocate for improvements in the spaces our community uses regularly. It’s also helped me continue refining our own home as our needs change. My wife’s mobility has continued to decline, but instead of just reacting to problems as they arise, I can now anticipate future needs and make modifications proactively.

**The Bigger Picture**

What strikes me about the growing interest in biophilic design certification is how it represents a return to principles that used to be common sense. My grandparents’ generation understood that people need access to fresh air, natural light, and growing things. They designed homes and communities accordingly.

We spent decades optimizing buildings for energy efficiency and low maintenance, often at the expense of human well-being. Now we’re trying to systematically bring back that connection to nature, but we need formal training to do what used to come naturally.

The certification programs I’ve researched aren’t just teaching design principles – they’re teaching people to think about buildings and spaces as environments that can either support or undermine human health and well-being. For aging populations especially, this perspective is crucial.

**My Recommendation**

If you’re considering biophilic design certification, I’d suggest starting by auditing a few online courses or attending workshops to get a feel for the content and approach. Many organizations offer introductory sessions that can help you determine whether a full certification program would be valuable for your goals.

For retirees specifically, I’d look for programs that include substantial content on accessible design and retrofitting existing buildings. Programs that focus primarily on new commercial construction may be less relevant to your needs and interests.

Don’t be intimidated by being older than other participants. The life experience and practical knowledge you bring to the table are valuable, and many programs benefit from having participants with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Most importantly, think about how you want to use this knowledge. If it’s primarily for personal enrichment and improving your own living situation, you might not need formal certification. But if you want to help others in your community or contribute to broader conversations about creating healthier environments for aging populations, the credibility and systematic knowledge that comes with certification can be invaluable.

At my age, I’m still learning new things and finding ways to contribute to my community. Exploring biophilic design principles – whether through formal certification or independent study – has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my retirement years.