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

Credits: “Designing for the Nervous System,” by Paul Clifford, featuring Shalini Misra, Commercial Interior Design, February 2026.

Why the Future of Luxury Interiors Is About How a Space Makes You Feel

In the February 2026 issue of Commercial Interior Design, architect and designer Shalini Misra shares a powerful perspective that’s reshaping high-end interiors: luxury isn’t about display — it’s about how a space supports the human nervous system.

With projects spanning London, New York, Dubai, and Delhi, Misra argues that the most successful interiors today move beyond trend-driven aesthetics. Instead, they prioritize psychological comfort, sensory balance, and emotional wellbeing. “Luxury,” she suggests, “is not something you display. It’s what you feel when a space allows you to relax.”

Key Takeaways for Commercial Real Estate & Design Leaders:

1. Human Experience Comes First
Neuroscience and biophilic principles are influencing design decisions more than ever. Light, proportion, materiality, acoustics, and spatial flow are being calibrated to reduce stress and promote calm — especially in residential, hospitality, and workplace environments.

2. Quiet Luxury Over Visual Excess
There is a growing shift away from statement-driven, performative interiors toward layered, thoughtful spaces rooted in craftsmanship and authenticity. Clients increasingly value longevity, restraint, and meaning over spectacle.

3. Craft & Cultural Narrative Matter
Misra emphasizes collaboration with artisans and the integration of regional identity. Design becomes more than decoration — it becomes storytelling embedded in material, detail, and context.

4. Wellness Is Structural, Not Stylistic
True wellbeing in design is not achieved by adding plants or soft finishes at the end. It must be embedded from the earliest stages of planning — influencing layout, light strategy, spatial hierarchy, and the emotional rhythm of a space.

5. Longevity Is the New Sustainability
Rather than disposable interiors, the focus is shifting to adaptable, enduring spaces designed to evolve over time — reducing waste while increasing long-term value.

Credits: “Is there a limit to indoor nature’s benefits?” Stanford News, November 2025.

New Stanford Research Offers a Strategic Framework for Indoor Plant Design

For years, the conversation around interior plants has centered on a simple premise: plants are good for people.

New research from Stanford University adds an important next dimension to that understanding — how much greenery optimizes well-being in interior environments.

In a recent study examining indoor nature exposure and psychological response, researchers found that moderate levels of greenery in office settings produced the strongest restorative benefits. Approximately 20% visual greenery coverage (a combination of plant surfaces and natural views) supported improved well-being outcomes, while significantly higher levels (around 60%) led to overstimulation and reduced comfort.

A Shift Toward Calibrated Biophilic Design

This research reinforces a powerful idea:

Interior plants are not decorative afterthoughts — they are design variables.

Rather than simply adding plants at the end of a project, the findings support a more intentional approach — integrating greenery strategically alongside light, proportion, materiality, and spatial flow to create environments that feel balanced and restorative.

As wellness-driven design becomes central to commercial real estate, this evidence strengthens the case for thoughtful, proportionate plant integration that enhances — rather than overwhelms — the built environment.

From Aesthetic Accent to Performance Strategy

The study underscores the importance of moving beyond “more is better” thinking. Effective biophilic design requires calibration. When greenery is distributed with purpose and aligned with architectural intent, it can elevate occupant experience, reduce stress, and support cognitive function.

The future of interior plantscaping is not just greener — it is measured, strategic, and grounded in research.

The Neuroscience of Nature in Commercial Design
Presented by Dr. Tuwanda Green, Principal Architect & Adjunct Professor, Human.One, LLC

What happens to the human brain when we bring nature indoors?

In this powerful session, Dr. Tuwanda Green explores the neuroscience behind biophilic design and its measurable impact on the way we think, feel, and perform. Drawing from her expertise in human-centered architecture and her work as an adjunct professor at Virginia Tech, Dr. Green breaks down how thoughtfully integrating natural elements into commercial environments can transform both people and properties.

From cognitive performance to stress reduction, discover how nature-infused spaces are more than a design trend—they’re a strategic advantage in commercial real estate.

In this session, you’ll learn:

• How biophilic design enhances cognitive function and mental clarity

• Why natural elements reduce stress and improve overall well-being

• Strategies to increase tenant satisfaction and occupancy rates

• The role of sustainable, human-centered design in the future of commercial real estate

Whether you’re a developer, property manager, architect, or design professional, this session will equip you with science-backed insights to create spaces that support both human health and business performance.

Watch the full recording to discover how nature isn’t just beautiful—it’s neurological.

Lighting Design for Plants and People-Best Practices
Presented by Jonah Adamcik, Commercial Project Manager, Soltech Solutions

March 19, 2026
1:00 PM Eastern Time
(12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT | 10:00 AM PT)
Virtual | 60 Minutes + Live Q&A | Open to All

Webinar Overview

Successful interior plantscapes don’t happen by chance — they’re powered by light.

Join Jonah Adamcik of Soltech Solutions for an in-depth look at how thoughtfully specified plant lighting supports both plant health and architectural intent in commercial environments. As biophilic design becomes increasingly central to workplace, hospitality, healthcare, and mixed-use spaces, lighting plays a critical role in ensuring installations thrive long term.

In this session, attendees will explore:

The Science of Plant Lighting — Understanding spectrum, intensity, placement, and how they impact plant performance indoors.

Design Integration Strategies — How to coordinate plant lighting with architectural lighting plans for seamless aesthetics and functionality.

Commercial Applications — Lessons from real-world projects integrating plant lighting into living walls, feature installations, and large-scale interior greenery.

Specifier Collaboration — Best practices for aligning architects, lighting designers, and plantscape professionals early in the design process.

Why Attend

✔ Strengthen your plant lighting knowledge
✔ Improve long-term plant performance in commercial interiors
✔ Gain specification insights you can bring directly to project teams
✔ Elevate biophilic design with technically sound lighting solutions

• Thank you to everyone who joined the National Horticulture Foundation (NHF) and Green Plants for Green Buildings (GPGB) for our live open forum at Tropical Plant International Expo 2026. With more than 100 attendees, the session demonstrated the strong industry commitment to building profitable, resilient businesses through collaboration and shared learning.

  The discussion reinforced an important truth: innovation flourishes when our community comes together. GPGB’s Monthly Supporter Open Forums are designed to foster open dialogue, practical problem-solving, and meaningful connections among professionals working with plants in the built environment.

  These forums provide an opportunity to:

  • Exchange ideas with peers facing similar business challenges
  • Gain actionable insights and real-world solutions
  • Stay informed on emerging industry trends
  • Explore growth strategies alongside growers and industry partners

  We look forward to continuing the dialogue at our Monthly Supporter Virtual Open Forums, exclusively available to GPGB supporters.

March 18–21, 2026 | Michigan State University

Green Plants for Green Buildings (GPGB) is proud to once again sponsor the Interior Plant Identification Competitive Event at NALP’s 2026 National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC). We are pleased to partner with The Plant Professionals, who will present for two Biophilic Interiors Workshops on our behalf during this year’s event.

Hosted by the National Association of Landscape Professionals, NCLC is North America’s largest annual competition and career-development event for landscape and horticulture students. Each year, it brings together hundreds of students, faculty members, and industry leaders for hands-on competitions, expert-led workshops, a premier Career Fair, scholarship opportunities, and valuable networking experiences.

For GPGB, supporting NCLC is more than sponsorship—it is an investment in the future of the interior plantscape and green industry. By helping students strengthen their plant identification skills and deepen their understanding of biophilic design and the role of interior plants in the built environment, we are building the foundation for long-term industry growth.

Educating and inspiring students today ensures a more knowledgeable, skilled, and innovative workforce tomorrow. Through engagement at NCLC, GPGB continues to advance awareness of the aesthetic, environmental, and economic value of plants in interior spaces while fostering the next generation of industry leaders.

Whether competing, teaching, recruiting, or mentoring, NCLC represents a powerful opportunity to elevate both education and professional excellence across the green industry. GPGB is honored to be part of this important initiative and looks forward to supporting the talented students shaping our industry’s future.

Celebrating a Decade of Dedicated Service:
A Huge Thank You to Jeremy Dearringer!

Green Plants for Green Buildings (GPGB) is incredibly proud to recognize and extend our deepest gratitude to Jeremy Dearringer for his phenomenal ten years of service on our Board of Directors.

A true champion for our industry, Jeremy has brought not only deep operational knowledge as Owner and CEO of NewPro Containers but also powerful entrepreneurial and marketing expertise to everything he touches. Throughout a decade as a steady, strategic, and visionary leader—he has shaped countless initiatives that have had an immeasurable impact on GPGB’s growth, direction, and influence within the interior plantscape community.

Jeremy’s influence goes far beyond mere meetings; he has been key in advancing our educational programming, elevating industry outreach, dedicating countless hours to marketing, and boosting supporter engagement. His unique ability to balance big-picture innovation with practical execution has consistently driven innovative thinking, helping us communicate the value of plants in the built environment with clarity and confidence.

Under his guidance, GPGB has seen significant growth in visibility, partnerships, and relevance. Jeremy’s thoughtful, forward-thinking approach has been fundamental to this progress, while his ongoing financial donations and funding support reflect a deep-seated belief in research-driven advocacy and education that raises industry standards. This dedication over ten years, requiring an immense amount of time and an unwavering commitment to our mission, has solidified GPGB as a leading voice for healthier, more sustainable spaces.

The legacy of Jeremy’s service will continue to shape our organization’s trajectory for years to come.

A Personal Message from all of us at GPGB:

Jeremy, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your extraordinary leadership, your unwavering support, and the brilliant mind you’ve so generously shared while on the GPGB Board of Directors for the past ten years. Your truly immeasurable influence on our organization and the broader industry will be felt for decades!

Partner With Trusted Interiorscape Experts Through GPGB

Creating healthier, more sustainable indoor environments starts with the right professionals. The GPGB Provider Directory connects you with interiorscape experts experienced in biophilic design, helping bring nature indoors in ways that enhance well-being, productivity, and aesthetic appeal.

These specialists do far more than simply place plants—they craft living spaces that improve air quality, support occupant wellness, and align seamlessly with your design vision and organizational goals. From custom installations to ongoing care, GPGB’s network ensures lasting, measurable impact.

As we reflect on the year, explore the GPGB Provider Directory and see how you can integrate nature into your spaces—beautifully, strategically, and sustainably.

Credits: Blondie’s Treehouse

One of Blondie’s Treehouse’s most remarkable and high-impact interior installations is the custom living wall in the Garden Room at 151 West 42nd Street in New York City.

This lush, floor-to-ceiling green wall spans approximately 975 square feet within a 45,600-square-foot amenity space, bringing a dramatic biophilic focal point to the corporate environment. The installation features 12 different plant species across 20 varieties, comprising more than 2,200 individual plants carefully selected and arranged to thrive as a cohesive vertical landscape.

More than just a visual centerpiece, this expansive green wall demonstrates Blondie’s expertise in integrating horticulture into architecture in ways that elevate interior environments and support occupant well-being. Living walls of this scale enhance air quality, improve ambiance, and create dynamic gathering spaces that encourage collaboration and connection within commercial settings.

Blondie’s Treehouse’s approach combines design excellence, horticultural science, irrigation and system specification, and long-term maintenance planning—ensuring that living installations continue to flourish well beyond the initial installation.

Credits: OutsideIn

B:HIVE+ Atrium — Auckland, New Zealand

One of the most celebrated biophilic interior installations of 2026 is the B:HIVE+ Atrium at AIA House, Smales Farm in Auckland, New Zealand. Designed and installed by Outside In, the project earned the prestigious Diamond Award at the 2026 International Plantscape Awards for excellence in interior atrium plantings.

The multi-level coworking hub features more than 600 living plants integrated throughout a dramatic triple-height space, creating a layered, immersive environment that enhances wellbeing, connection, and workplace experience. The design seamlessly weaves planting systems into the architecture, demonstrating how biophilic design can transform commercial interiors at scale.

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.