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

Credits: Interface & Oliver Heath Design

Designing a world where all can thrive: A guide for architects & designers to balance the needs of all living things.

Life-Centered Design is a forward-thinking, holistic approach that encourages designers to consider the interconnected wellbeing of all living things—not just humans—when shaping the built environment. Moving beyond traditional sustainability and human-centered methods, it asks: How can we create spaces that support people, ecosystems, and future generations alike?

Rooted in six core themes—designing for all life, with nature, for connection, in collaboration, for good, and with the past and future in mind—this approach reimagines how design can create positive ripple effects across communities and ecosystems. Real-world case studies from around the globe illustrate how this mindset is already being applied in urban planning, education spaces, ecological restoration, and beyond. These examples demonstrate how built environments can foster biodiversity, climate resilience, and deeper human-nature connections.

As the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss grow more urgent, Life-Centered Design offers a powerful path forward—shifting from minimizing harm to creating regenerative, long-term good for all life on Earth.

Credits: Taylor & Francis

A study published in Cogent Social Sciences explored how natural environments and biophilic design influence student well-being on a residential college campus. Through surveys and focus groups, researchers found that students—especially females—reported high stress, anxiety, and disconnection, but consistently turned to natural and nature-connected spaces for restoration and coping. Outdoor areas with greenery and indoor spaces with daylight, views of nature, and comforting natural elements were seen as essential for emotional refuge, concentration, and place attachment. The study concludes that integrating biophilic design across campus—through lighting, materials, outdoor access, and supportive spatial design—can significantly improve student mental health, reduce stress, and enhance academic engagement.

Credits: GrowUp Greenwalls

Explore how the future of design lies in the collaboration between human creativity and artificial intelligence. While AI can accelerate workflows—handling tasks like renderings, space planning, and product sourcing—it still relies on human input for emotional resonance, cultural context, and design vision.

Key trends include the rise of AI-powered tools integrated with AR/VR for immersive walkthroughs, smart home adaptability, and sustainable space planning. Designers are now using AI not just for visuals, but also for environmental optimization—helping reduce waste and enhance energy efficiency.

For professionals, platforms like Interior AI and Midjourney offer powerful support, while homeowners can experiment with tools like Homestyler or RoomGPT to bring design ideas to life. The takeaway? AI is a creative co-pilot—not a replacement—helping us design spaces that are more intelligent, responsive, and human than ever.

Credits: Floral Daily

Held in Columbus, Ohio, Cultivate ’25 brought together over 10,000 horticulture professional. The show floor featured inspiring visual merchandising, new plant varieties, and trend-forward displays perfect for interior applications—from pastel-hued foliage to sculptural greenery. Exhibitors showcased plant palettes and container designs aligned with wellness, sustainability, and emerging decor trends. For interiorscape professionals, Cultivate offered fresh inspiration, vendor connections, and insight into the future of nature-integrated spaces. The event reinforced the value of plants as essential design elements in commercial, residential, and hospitality interiors.

We extend our sincere thanks to the generous donors and dedicated volunteers who made this activation possible, Good Earth Plant Company , Natura, LooXo, National Horticulture Foundation, and Plantscapers Inc. The support brought our message to life and helped inspire HR professionals to consider how the spaces they create can better support the people they serve.

At BOMA 2025 in Boston, Green Plants for Green Buildings (GPGB) made a powerful impression as a Premier Sponsor, Decor Sponsor, and exhibitor at Booth #643. The immersive 20’x30′ space brought biophilic design to life, showing how plants can transform commercial environments. Attendees engaged with lush plant installations and packed presentations on the science and strategy behind nature-infused spaces. Sessions covered topics from the cognitive benefits of plants and immersive design to tenant retention and automation in plantscaping. GPGB’s presence underscored a clear message: biophilic design is not just beautiful—it’s a strategic asset that enhances property value, supports wellness, and reduces operational costs.

GPGB extends our heartfelt thanks to the incredible volunteers and generous donors who helped bring our vision to life at BOMA 2025. The time, talent, and support transformed the space into a vibrant, immersive showcase of biophilic design—one that inspired thousands of attendees and demonstrated the true power of plants in commercial spaces. Whether helping install greenery, staffing the booth, or contributing resources, the efforts made a lasting impact. Together, we showed the commercial real estate world how nature can elevate spaces, boost well-being, and deliver real value. Thank you for growing this movement with us, Morning Dew Tropical Plants, Cityscapes, ASI, NewPro Containers, National Horticulture Foundation, Trillium Floral, Florida Indoor Gardens, Parker Interior Plantscape Inc, Central Florida Ferns & Foliage, Heart of Florida Greenhouses Inc, Pahokee Growers, Ambius, Greenery NYC, and Growing Green.

At SHRM 25 in San Diego (June 29–July 1), Green Plants for Green Buildings (GPGB) made a lasting impression at Booth #3032, championing the role of biophilic design in addressing HR’s biggest challenges—from burnout to retention. Dr. Tuwanda Green’s session, “Your Brain on Plants: Harnessing Biophilic Design for Workplace Wellness,” highlighted how nature-rich environments reduce stress, enhance focus, and improve organizational outcomes. GPGB’s presence served as a powerful reminder that workplace design is a strategic HR tool—not just a background element.

We extend our sincere thanks to the generous donors and dedicated volunteers who made this activation possible, Good Earth Plant Company Inc, Natura, LooXo, National Horticulture Foundation, and Plantscapers Inc. The support brought our message to life and helped inspire HR professionals to consider how the spaces they create can better support the people they serve.

Green Plants for Green Buildings invites all supporters to join the next Monthly Supporter Open Forumon Wednesday, July 30 @ 12pm EST, for a focused conversation on purchase vs. lease pricing strategies. This month’s topic dives into how interiorscape and holiday service providers structure their pricing to remain competitive, profitable, and aligned with client expectations.

Whether you’re re-evaluating your pricing model or exploring how to expand your seasonal offerings, this open forum is the perfect opportunity to hear what’s working for others, ask questions, and share your own experiences in a collaborative, peer-to-peer format. The discussion is informal and supportive—not a webinar or presentation—and is designed to strengthen professional knowledge and community connections within the GPGB network.

This session is exclusive to GPGB supporters. Mark your calendar for July 30 and come ready to engage in a lively, real-world discussion with fellow interiorscape professionals.

Not a member yet? Join today and help lead the future of greener, smarter built environments.

Grow With Us: Volunteer Opportunities at GPGB

Green Plants for Green Buildings (GPGB) thrives thanks to the dedication of passionate volunteers who help bring our mission to life. Whether you’re interested in biophilic design, education, or outreach, serving on a GPGB committee—or even the board—is a meaningful way to make a difference while growing personally and professionally.

We’re currently seeking committed individuals for a minimum two-year term to join our mission of integrating nature into everyday spaces for better health, productivity, and sustainability. Volunteers gain access to exclusive tools, educational resources, and a vibrant network at the forefront of the A+D industry.

Ready to elevate your impact and career? Join a GPGB committee today!
Open committees include:

• Marketing & Communications

• Supporter Development

• Education & Professional Development

All efforts are aligned with GPGB’s Strategic Plan—making your contributions focused, collaborative, and effective. Let’s grow together!

Thank You for Powering the Movement!

At GPGB, everything we do to advance greener, healthier built environments is fueled by the incredible support of our community. Your generosity and engagement are helping redefine the role of plants in commercial spaces and champion the power of biophilic design.

We’re deeply grateful to have you as part of this growing movement—together, we’re reconnecting people with nature through the places they live, work, and gather.

 Get Involved:
Have a 15–30 second video highlighting biophilia in action? Share your reels, stories, or shorts with us here —your content could be featured on GPGB’s social media!

Connect with Certified Interiorscape Professionals Through GPGB

Designing healthier, more sustainable indoor spaces begins with trusted expertise—and GPGB’s Provider Directory is your direct link to certified interiorscaping professionals who specialize in biophilic design.

These experts do more than enhance aesthetics. They craft plant-driven environments that purify air, promote well-being, and align with your brand’s values. Whether you’re looking for eco-friendly installations, tailored plant solutions, or ongoing care, our directory connects you with professionals who deliver impactful, sustainable results.

Let GPGB help you bring nature indoors—beautifully and effectively.

Credit: ZGF Architects

At the heart of PDX’s newly expanded main terminal lies a nine‑acre mass‑timber roof, designed by ZGF Architects to evoke the experience of walking through a Pacific Northwest forest. This iconic structure, built using sustainably sourced timber within 300 miles, filters natural light through 49 skylights, bathing the space in daylight and nurturing 72 tall trees and over 5,000 native plants.

The biophilic strategy aims to reduce traveler stress, improve wayfinding, and foster a sense of calm—mirroring a stroll through the forest and reinforcing PDX’s identity as a sanctuary of nature and place.

Complemented by natural wood finishes, indigenous plantings, and local art installations, the terminal integrates biophilic design and placemaking, transforming a transit space into a living, regionally rooted interior landscape.

A showcase of how plants, light, and wood combine to elevate the human experience, PDX’s new terminal is a model of sustainable, nature-integrated design.

Credits: Vertigarden

Residencial ONE – Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
In 2024, Fortaleza became home to the largest vertical garden in Brazil’s Northeast region, spanning an impressive 600 square meters.

The lush installation was designed by Benedito Abbud Landscape Architecture, with architectural design by the award-winning Daniel Arruda and developed by Construtora Colmeia.

This living wall is not only a striking green feature for the building but also a testament to the growing global adoption of biophilic design in urban residential projects.

Installed by Vertigarden, this project highlights how integrating large-scale greenery into high-rise architecture can enhance sustainability, visual appeal, and residents’ well-being in dense metropolitan environments.

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.