This e-newsletter brings you the latest information and resources on biophilic design, the industry, and GPGB updates. 

When it comes to creating sustainable buildings, architects and designers are constantly exploring innovative solutions to reduce energy consumption and minimize environmental impact. One such approach gaining popularity is biophilic design principles.

Biophilic design principles offer a multitude of benefits that go beyond aesthetics and well-being. When integrated into building design, these principles have a significant impact on energy efficiency. Key takeaways include:

• Including natural light and ventilation systems can reduce energy consumption and reliance on artificial lighting and mechanical cooling.
• Thoughtful consideration of materials and design can enhance thermal comfort and lower heating and cooling needs.
• The incorporation of green roofs and walls can improve insulation and reduce energy demand.
• Integration of renewable energy sources ensures a sustainable energy supply and reduces reliance on conventional sources.

As our understanding of the crucial link between nature and human well-being deepens, biophilic design is becoming an essential aspect of sustainable architecture and building practices. By embracing these design principles, we can create energy-efficient spaces that prioritize both environmental preservation and enhanced occupant experiences.

Main topics:

• Enhancing Energy Efficiency through Biophilic Design Principles
• Harnessing the Benefits of Nature Biophilic Design and Energy Conservation
• Unleashing the Nature Potential: Biophilic Design for Greener Buildings
• Connecting with Nature: The Revolutionary Impact of Biophilic Design on Energy Efficiency
• Creating Sustainable Spaces: The Power of Biophilic Design

Sustainability is becoming more important in architecture. Biophilic design offers a framework for integrating nature into the built environment. Besides improving the well-being of building occupants, biophilic design principles contribute to biodiversity, circularity, and resilience. We will discuss where biophilic design and sustainable architecture meet and how by introducing nature into buildings this can address specific challenges and goals of sustainability.

Understanding Biophilic Design’s Contribution to Sustainability
Contributing to Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
Circularity and Sustainable Material Choices
Building Resilience in the Face of Climate Change
Improve Well-being and Connection to Nature

Creating the Future of Our Industry

By Mike Senneff

It’s been said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

What future would you like to see for the interior landscape industry? I suspect you might want to see a future where interior plants are highly valued, impeccably designed and regularly specified in commercial spaces. A future where plants are considered early-on in project design and never value-engineered out. To get to that future, we need to create it.

In 2021, Green Plants for Green Buildings (GPGB) launched the Interior Industry Growth Fund (IIGF) to shape the future of our industry. This endowment was developed by 40 visionary leaders raising a generous $335,000 within 30-days. This year, supporters intend to double the size of the fund to by the conclusion of TPIE in January of 2024.

The National Horticulture Foundation’s financial advisors manage the fund. The principal will never be spent and grow through contributions. The investment earnings are dedicated for interior industry research, marketing, and education to ensure the value of interior landscaping is known to specifiers and end-users, and that more plants are specified in future projects.

Your donation, along with other industry supporters will bring us over our $750,000 goal. Importantly, when your individual contribution reaches $5,000 or greater, it becomes a personally named endowment for your family or business. See who supports the IIGF here. Establishing and building your legacy endowment sustains and grows the interior landscape industry into future generations.

Visit the National Horticulture Foundation and CONTRIBUTE HERE. Select the Interior Industry Growth Fund as the endowment name. Whatever amount you can give, know that your contribution will predict and create the future for our interior industry.

Questions? Please Contact:

Linda Reindl

NHF Executive Director

1533 Park Center Drive, Orlando, FL 32835

407-295-7994

lreindl@fngla.org

www.nationalhorticulturefoundation.org

GPGB Quarterly Supporter Video Call Featuring Jan Goodman and Mike Senneff

Hear from Industry Experts, engage, build community, and network with others in the industry! Get inspiration, give feedback, and participate in open Q&A. If you are available, please participate to support GPGB and this new feature for GPGB Supporters!

Topics:
-Interior Industry Growth Fund
-GPGB presence at AIA Conference
-Holiday Debrief

Time: Jan 11, 2024 04:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 849 0433 5795

Thursday, January 18 from 3:00-4:30 p.m.

GPGB is bringing an AMAZING opportunity to join the Registered Trainer Program. For the first time in history, we are offering our Registered Trainer Seminar and CEU, “How to Specify Living Green Walls” FREE of charge. This in-person event will take place at The Tropical Plant International Expo.

Take advantage of this FREE Registered Trainer seminar and FREE Continued Education Unit, “How To Specify Living Walls”.

Registered Trainer Seminar Info:

Our seminars will give you the necessary credentials, training and authority to get in front of architects, landscape architects, designers, building owners and managers, and LEED APs to educate them about the many health and productivity benefits of plants in our built environments.

Registration includes:

The authority to give CEU credit to designers, architects and building professionals.
-A Trainer’s Guide
-PowerPoints with compelling photographs and Speakers’ Notes
-White Papers
-All the forms for your CEU presentations
-Public speaking tips
-Ongoing, year-long support

CEU: How to Specify Living Green Walls
Length: 60 minutes
Credits: 1.0 learning unit
Health, Safety, Welfare (HSW) Credit? Yes

Program Overview:

Attendees will leave with the knowledge of how living green walls bring the research-based benefits of biophilic design and its positive effect on human well-being and productivity into the built environment, and the critical design considerations when specifying a high-performing and sustainable living green wall.

The annual Registered Trainer fee will now be $250 per Registered Trainer.

This annual fee is used to maintain the credentialing of existing courses with our credentialing organizations, to develop additional courses, and to provide you with support throughout the year. This is required to present GPGB CEU programs.

CEU courses will remain $225.00 each or BUNDLE and SAVE by purchasing ALL courses for a one-time fee of $495.

Become a Biophilic Enthusiast, Star, Champion, or Hero supporter to receive unlimited access to GPGB slide decks and free registered trainer(s).

Please contact admin@gpgb.org if you have any questions

January 17-19, 2024

The Tropical Plant International Expo (TPIE) is THE trade event showcasing the latest trends in foliage, floral and tropicals.

Connections. Collaboration. Impact.

Why Attend? The #1 reason buyers say they attend TPIE is to find unique and different products.

January 18, 2024

The International Plantscape Awards recognizes outstanding achievements in interior plantscape design, installation, creativity, renovation, and innovation. These awards celebrate the strides of interior plantscapers to connect people with plants in remarkable ways. Entries are judged on their own merit rather than against each other. Award winners earn a designation of gold or platinum based on points scored from information and photos provided. Certain submissions may be awarded the coveted Diamond and Emerald judges’ awards for the best overall entries.

– CLICK HERE  To become a GPGB Biophilic Champion or Hero Supporter to receive complimentary tickets to this event!

A GPGB Board Member will be reaching out to you to discuss your options.
 CLICK HERE to renew and/or “LEVEL-UP TODAY!

GPGB depends on the work of volunteers to carry out our strategic initiatives and fulfill our mission. Serving on a committee or as a GPGB board member is a rewarding experience and an opportunity for personal and professional growth. If you can make a minimum two-year commitment, the industry needs people like YOU! We are actively looking for committee members and board members who are passionate about biophilia.

Once you have completed a minimum of one (1) two-year term on a GPGB committee, you are eligible to be considered to serve on the GPGB Board of Directors. If you have already served at least two-years on one or more GPGB committee(s), please fill out the Board of Directors section to be considered.

Committees include:

-Marketing & Communications
-Supporter Development
-Education & Professional Development

All are driven by our Strategic Plan.

GPGB is making a difference and it’s all thanks to our valued supporters. Our supporter’s participation and contribution is greatly appreciated not only by us, but by everyone in the industry.

Thank you for continuing to add your voice  to the hundreds of other industry professionals committed to integrating plants into our built environments. We appreciate your understanding and willingness to “Level-Up” this year!

We could not do it without you!

Continued Call To Action: Please continue to add your reels, shorts, stories, and all other 15-30 second videos related to biophilia here in order to be featured on GPGB social media.

This gorgeous living wall spans three stories in height. Living walls offer numerous advantages, including improved air quality, enhanced aesthetics, noise reduction, temperature regulation, and the promotion of biodiversity in urban environments. 

Client: Terra|CSU Spur at the National Western Center
Location: Denver, CO
Company: Bloom & Flourish, GSKY Plant Systems
Credit: Bloom & Flourish Instagram

The end of year brings no greater joy than the opportunity to express SEASON’S GREETINGS and GOOD WISHES. May your holidays and New Year be filled with joy! 

Client: Chase Bank
Company: Natura
Credit: Natura Portfolio 

Want to Help Keep Nature in the News?

Everything we accomplish happens because people like you are stepping forward and supporting GPGB’s focus on having conversations with the building professionals who can #BringNatureIndoors.

If the spirit moves you, please consider supporting our work by making a donation.