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

Credits: SHRM

Designing for Wellness: What Architects and Designers Can Learn from SHRM’s Mental Health at Work Playbook

The SHRM Mental Health at Work Playbook offers powerful, data-driven insights that align directly with the principles of biophilic and human-centered design. While written for HR professionals, the guide underscores a core truth every architect and designer knows: the built environment profoundly influences how people feel, function, and connect.

Key takeaways for design professionals include:

Workplace Design = Mental Health Strategy
A healthy environment—one that promotes purpose, connection, and calm—is essential for mental well-being. Natural light, organic materials, quiet zones, and flexible layouts are not just aesthetic choices; they are wellness interventions.

Neuroaesthetics & Emotional Impact
The playbook reveals how stressors like noise, crowding, and lack of privacy or natural elements can trigger anxiety and burnout. Architects can mitigate these issues through biophilic strategies that incorporate greenery, daylighting, and restorative spaces.

Civility, Inclusion & Belonging
Design that supports inclusivity and respectful interaction—through intentional flow, accessibility, and communal areas—can reduce incivility and promote psychological safety, both critical to employee mental health.

Wellness-First Design Is Good Business
With absenteeism, turnover, and stress-related productivity losses costing billions, companies are seeking built environments that prioritize well-being as a strategic advantage. Designers who lead with this mindset are not just creating buildings—they’re shaping healthier organizations.

In essence, this guide confirms what nature-forward designers already believe: mental health starts with the spaces we inhabit. Whether you’re crafting corporate campuses, coworking hubs, or healing interiors, this playbook provides evidence and language to advocate for spaces that truly support the human experience.

Credits:Yahoo Life
Author: Jennifer Walsh
Photo: True Vines

Plants. Natural light. Organic textures. You’ve likely seen biophilic design trending across wellness and design feeds—and for good reason. Predicted to “reign supreme” in 2025, this nature-centric approach to architecture and interiors is about more than just adding greenery. It’s about designing spaces that reconnect us with the natural world—and each other.

Biophilic design incorporates elements like:

• Environmental features (plants, wood, stone, natural materials)

• Natural light and airflow to regulate circadian rhythms and improve mood

•  Sensory cues like nature sounds to reduce stress and elevate well-being

• Organic forms that echo shapes found in nature

The benefits? Better sleep, lower blood pressure, increased cognitive function, improved immune response—and most importantly, a deeper sense of connection. As Steve Nygren of Serenbe puts it, modern life has stripped away essential human needs: our connection to nature and one another. Biophilic design brings that back.

Whether you’re specifying materials or shaping full environments, even small shifts—more daylight, natural textures, curved forms—can have a big impact. As the demand for wellness-oriented spaces grows, biophilic design is no longer just a trend—it’s a standard for healthier, more human-centric environments.

Let nature lead the way.

Join us the Boston Convention & Expo Center for the American Institute of Architecture Conference on Architecture & Design June 4-7, 2025 to discover how nature, neuroscience, and design converge to create healthier, high-performance spaces. At the GPGB Booth #282, we’re hosting an inspiring lineup of thought leaders in biophilic design, lighting, neuroaesthetics, and plant-forward architecture.

Speaker Highlights Include:

• Dr. Tuwanda Green on Biophobia–Biophilia

• Jennifer Walsh on The Biophilic Brain™

• Shane Pliska on Living Light: Plant-Friendly Lighting, sponsored by SST Lighting

• Corinne Courtney, Jean-Pierre Sijmons & Jan Goodman on biophilic CEU previews

Whether you’re an architect, designer, or wellness innovator, these sessions offer actionable insights and CEU opportunities that reconnect people with nature through the built environment.

Get FREE access to the AIA Expo using promo code AIA25EXGST

At the BOMA 2025 International Conference & Expo, taking place June 28–July 1, 2025, at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Green Plants for Green Buildings (GPGB) will make a significant impact as a Premier Sponsor, Decor Sponsor, and exhibitor at Booth #643. This 20’x30′ immersive experience will showcase the transformative power of biophilic design in commercial real estate.

Key Highlights:

• Dr. Tuwanda Green will present “Your Brain on Plants” on Sunday, June 29, at 12:00 PM, exploring how integrating natural elements into commercial spaces can enhance cognitive function, reduce stress, and boost productivity.

• Jennifer Walsh will discuss “The Nature Dividend: Turning Brick, Glass, & Greenery into Asset Value” on Monday, June 30, at 1:30 PM, providing evidence-backed strategies that convert into occupancy and retention.

• An Experiential Biophilia Panel will delve into using biophilic design for attracting and retaining tenants, offering practical insights for property professionals.

GPGB’s presence at BOMA 2025 underscores the critical role of nature-integrated design in enhancing tenant well-being and property value. Attendees are encouraged to visit Booth #643 to experience firsthand how biophilic elements can transform commercial spaces into healthier, more appealing environments.

As mental health, retention, and workplace satisfaction dominate HR priorities, Green Plants for Green Buildings (GPGB) is stepping into the spotlight at SHRM25 to deliver a critical message: The environments we design directly impact how people feel, perform, and stay.

 Visit GPGB at Booth #3032
June 29–July 1, 2025 | San Diego Convention Center

While HR leaders are being tasked with solving burnout, improving culture, and protecting well-being, many are overlooking one of the most powerful tools available: the built environment itself. That’s where GPGB comes in.

Why This Connection Is Vital:

• HR manages people. Designers shape the spaces those people live and work in.

• Yet these two worlds rarely collaborate. GPGB is here to bridge that gap.

• Our mission: Help HR professionals understand how nature-integrated design reduces stress, increases retention, and supports a culture of civility and wellness.

Don’t Miss Dr. Tuwanda Green on Center Stage
“Your Brain on Plants: Harnessing Biophilic Design for Workplace Wellness”–June 30th at 11:00 a.m, Room 26 

Dr. Green, licensed architect and principal at human., PLLC, will explore how biophilic design—spaces infused with natural light, organic materials, and greenery—can become HR’s most underutilized wellness strategy. Her session will unpack:

•  The neuroscience behind how nature affects stress, focus, and mood

•  Practical strategies HR can implement in partnership with design teams

• The measurable business impact of biophilic environments

GPGB’s presence at SHRM25 is a call to action:
If we want healthier, more engaged employees, we must rethink how we shape their daily spaces. Biophilic design isn’t just a design trend—it’s a research-backed imperative that HR can champion.

GPGB has been excited to launch a new monthly initiative designed to bring interiorscape professionals together to share knowledge, spark innovation, and strengthen the collective voice of our industry.

Our inaugural session on Wednesday, May 28 at 12 PM EST was well attended and energized by productive, insightful conversation. Highlights included:

• Emerging design trends shaping interiorscapes

• Advances in planter technology and product innovation

• The measurable benefits of strong company sustainability ratings

• New insights into the success of Vulkaponic planting substrate now available in the U.S.

This ongoing forum is a space for professionals to connect, collaborate, and stay informed on the latest tools and trends that are transforming the way we design, grow, and work.

Why Join?
✔️ Connect with fellow interiorscape professionals
✔️ Collaborate on ideas that drive real change
✔️ Contribute to shaping the future of our industry
✔️ Stay ahead with emerging insights, practices, and technologies

Join the Conversation
Monthly sessions are held on the last Wednesday of each month at 12 PM EST, and are open to all current GPGB supporters.

Click the button below to opt-in and become part of the Interiorscape Community Forum. Let’s continue to grow together!

• Marketing & Communications
• Supporter Development
• Education & Professional Development

GPGB’s impact is only possible because of you—our valued supporters.
Your ongoing participation and contributions are deeply appreciated—not just by us, but by the entire industry working toward greener, healthier spaces.

Thank you for lending your voice to a growing community of professionals dedicated to integrating plants into the built environment. Your support drives meaningful change and helps us champion the power of nature in design.

Partnering with professional interior plantscaping experts is essential for creating vibrant, healthy, and sustainable indoor environments. Green Plants for Green Buildings (GPGB) offers a comprehensive Provider Directory that connects businesses with certified interiorscape professionals who specialize in integrating nature into built spaces.

Why Collaborate with Interior Plantscaping Professionals?

• Expertise in Biophilic Design: These professionals are adept at incorporating natural elements into interior spaces, enhancing aesthetic appeal and promoting occupant well-being.

• Sustainable Practices: They prioritize eco-friendly solutions, such as using low-maintenance, drought-resistant plants and sustainable materials, contributing positively to the environment.

• Improved Indoor Air Quality: By selecting appropriate plant species and placements, they help purify indoor air, reducing pollutants and creating a healthier atmosphere.

• Enhanced Productivity and Well-being: Studies have shown that well-designed interior landscapes can boost employee morale, increase productivity, and reduce stress levels.

• Customized Solutions: Interior plantscaping professionals offer tailored designs that align with a company’s brand and space requirements, ensuring a cohesive and functional environment.

Utilizing GPGB’s Provider Directory ensures access to trusted professionals committed to excellence in interior plantscaping. Their expertise not only transforms spaces aesthetically but also fosters healthier, more engaging environments for occupants.

Credit: Eden Project

Eden Dock: A New Standard for Urban Biodiversity
Canary Wharf, London

• Model for biodiversity in cities, integrating nature into urban development

• Features floating forests, aquatic habitats, boardwalks, and green public spaces

• Supports new wildlife—birds, bees, eels, and rare plants now thrive onsite

• Improves well-being: 73% of workers prefer locations near nature; 69% report greater creativity

• Launch includes Nature Rising, a living artwork symbolizing harmony between people and nature

• Backed by Canary Wharf Group’s sustainability leadership (100% renewable energy, zero landfill waste)

• In partnership with the Eden Project, Eden Dock sets a replicable precedent for future urban development

Credits: Greenery NYC
CLIENT: Turner Construction
LOCATION: Hudson Yards, Manhattan
ARCHITECT: Gensler
INSTALLATION: Greenery NYC
DESIGN: Greenery NYC
DATE INSTALLED: June 2023

Greenery NYC worked closely with Gensler Architects and Turner Construction on the design and installation of Turner’s Hudson Yard’s office space. Over the corse of a year-long design process, Greenery participated in several biophilic design charettes to ensure the long-term success of plant life was carefully considered in the design of the office. Grow lighting and rrigation systems are incorporated through out ensuring a low operational cost while maximizing plant health and size. Plants are a central feature in the office and Greenery’s talented horticultural team ensure the plant life always looks its best through ongoing maintenance of this impressive office space.

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.