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

By Niall Patrick Walsh
Archinect News
Image credit: Ronald Lu & Partners

Hong Kong-based Ronald Lu & Partners has completed a residential development in Kowloon described as a “real forest building.” Named Garden Crescent, the scheme was designed with the philosophy of “nature on every doorstep.”

Externally, the building features slanted structural supports to create solid and void spaces that are designed to create multiple avenues for natural ventilation and passive cooling. On the podium level, the scheme’s biophilic elements include a landscape of trees, shrubs, and plants aimed at improving air quality, reducing the urban heat island effect, and enhancing the local microclimate.

As the tower rises, voids in the form create six multi-layered green courtyards. Designed to be fully accessible to birds and insects in an effort to repopulate the area’s biodiversity, the courtyards are also intended to give residents immediate access to nature, “giving them the visual delight of watching trees and plants bloom, grow, and change through the seasons,” according to the team…

By Alexandra Both
RentCafe.com
Apartment Living

Welcome to 2024, where the buzzword in apartment living is “biophilic design.” Goodbye bland beige and brutalist grey! Hello, green and blue! This always fresh and exciting trend is all about bringing a slice of nature into our urban nests. Think of it as your personal green retreat in the concrete jungle.

Biophilic interior design goes beyond just adding a plant or two; it’s about weaving the essence of the great outdoors into every nook of your city pad. For those of us living in crammed apartments and craving a touch of tranquility and a deeper connection to nature, biophilic design is our ticket to a more mindful, serene living space. It’s all about turning those compact urban corners into havens of health and happiness.

A key aspect of biophilic design is utilizing natural shapes, textures and reclaimed or sustainable materials in apartments. Think wood, bamboo, stone, metal, cotton and more. So, in 2024 rentals, we can expect to see a prevalence of flowing organic forms, natural wood finishes, stone surfaces, woven textures and greenery. These elements bring the textures of the outdoors inside, creating a space that is both soothing and inspiring. Plus, using neutral color palettes will allow these intriguing details to become the focal points…

Thank you to all who joined the call, January 11, 2024 to hear from industry expert, Mike Senneff. These calls help engage, build community, and allow for networking with others in the industry! Get inspiration, give feedback, and participate in open Q&A. If you are available, please participate on the next call for GPGB Supporters!

Thursday, January 18 from 3:00-4:30 p.m. Room 302A

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.

It’s almost time for the 2024 Tropical Plant International Expo, aka TPIE!
Jan looks forward to TPIE every year, and we are so excited to announce that she will also be speaking during the two-day event!
When: 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (EST) Thursday, January 18, 2024
Where: Broward County Convention Center
About: As we bid adieu to the holiday season, it’s time to start thinking ahead to next year. In this session, we’ll reflect on the incredible holiday experience Jan Goodman and the Cityscapes team created for their clients. Drawing inspiration from the White Rabbit, they crafted a whimsical and magical theme that truly transported guests to another world. Jan will share her insights on how to create a successful holiday experience, from dazzling clients in the holiday decor showroom to delivering over-the-top expectations and strategies for a profitable and successful installation.
Join Jan to discover new design ideas to make your next holiday season truly unforgettable! We’ll see you in Ft. Lauderdale, TPIE!

CEUs: This workshop qualifies attendees to earn 1.5 FNGLA CEU credits.

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.

ROI Calculator

The built environment matters more today than ever before. With developers, office managers, and the hospitality industry scrambling for ways to entice people back into their space, your knowledge of nature and being able to explain and incorporate biophilic design into the built environment is critical.

For employers, healthy offices can improve employee satisfaction, decrease absenteeism, and reduce turnover. Millennials, who will soon become the largest workforce cohort, overwhelmingly desire healthy workplaces – 78% believe workplace quality is a deciding factor in a job search, with 69% willing to trade other benefits for better workplaces.

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.

Welcome to a world where design meets nature in perfect harmony! Discover the magic of biophilic designs. Embrace the essence of bringing nature home and witness how it transforms spaces into serene sanctuaries. Feel the difference as you breathe easy and live better amidst this biophilic oasis.

Location: Ahmedabad, India
Company: Amogh Designs | Interior |Architecture Firm
Credit: Amogh Designs Instagram

Grouping plants to section off a space creates a softness and an extra level of comfort. Check out this lovely sitting area!

Client: Restor3d
Company: Foliage Concepts
Credit: Foliage Concepts Instagram

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.