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

Research by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (The impact of healthy buildings) and Brodin et al (Variation in the human immune system is largely driven by non- heritable influences) shows that our individual health is directly tied to the health of our buildings, and that our environment can have more influence on some aspects of our health than genetics. Addressing health and well-being in the built environment is therefore vital to supporting public health.

Recognising this link, design for well-being has emerged as a distinct new discipline, alongside a range of global certification standards. Separate from the field of sustainability, which seeks to understand how buildings impact the environment, the field of design and management for well-being is centred on the human experience – the profound impact that buildings have on our mental and physical health. It concerns every aspect of master planning and building design and every built environment professional.

Delivering healthy buildings and healthy places is also fundamental to achieving progress in wider global issues, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It is therefore the collective role and responsibility of all built environment professionals to ensure that we are delivering buildings for current and future generations that will ultimately help to create healthy, thriving and resilient communities globally.

In previous decades, much attention has been paid to sustainable buildings, with significantly less focus on how buildings impact people and their health. Alongside the rise of major global certifications, such as Fitwel and the WELL Building Standard, this has now emerged as an important new discipline.

The Recharge Room, located in the University of Colorado Hospital, is a place to relax and recharge. It has become vital for health care workers and employees.

Elisha Murray, a registered nurse in the hospital’s care clinic, comes to the Recharge Room a few times a week.

“Where I work is pretty crazy over there. It’s kind of nice to get away,” said Murray.

The room has zero gravity and massage chairs, virtual reality, a space with projections of the beach or mountains on the walls, yoga mats and calming sounds of nature and birds chirping.

“I feel like it does help me through the rest of my shift,” said Murray.

Jenny Ricklefs is one of the creators of the room. She said it’s been a success since it opened.

“It’s is sometimes difficult to get in here,” said Ricklefs.

Ricklefs said her team used a stress survey designed by the U.S. Navy to see what people thought of the room and tracked that data over the last two years.

“We asked them vaguely what their role is within the hospital, as well as how they were feeling when they entered the space and after about 15 minutes how they felt leaving the space,” said Ricklefs.

Results show around 82 percent of workers came into the room in a diminished state. Roughly 76 percent left the room in an improved state, and 84 percent left the room in a ready state.

“Just in talking with people and looking at the data, we really do have a sense that it’s making quite a big difference,” Ricklefs.

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.

The awards program is open to all individuals or firms actively involved in interior plantscaping. Award submissions are judged by a panel of distinguished plantscapers who serve in the Interior Plantscape Community. Award recipients find that the honor becomes a selling point with current and future customers and therefore is a business asset as well as accolade. Applying for and receiving an award not only helps your business look good, but it gives us all a reason to celebrate together the things we do with excellence. Get awarded for doing the amazing job that you do!

All entries must have been completed during the past two years (Jan 1 2021 to Dec 7, 2023) Categories are: Design, Installation, Major renovation, Special Event and Holiday, Silk, Replica and Preserved, Horticultural service, Technician Recognition, Atrium/Garden Plantings, Interior, Conservatory, Living wall, Moss wall, Green Roof or Rooftop gardens, Hotel Pool and Resort, Exterior Build Façade, Free-standing containers, interior or exterior. Winners will receive a plaque or award and recognition in I-Plants Magazines special awards edition in January 2023!

– 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.

As the chill of the holiday season approaches, commercial and retail establishments—from plush hotels to bustling shopping malls—have the perfect chance to transform their interiors using biophilic design. By weaving in indoor plants and moss, which resonate with professional decorators, these places can amplify the festive atmosphere while ensuring visitors feel relaxed and content. This article dives into the essence of biophilic design for commercial spaces, the charm of indoor plants preferred by experts, and the allure of moss in enriching the festive ambiance of commercial locales.

Read Full GPGB blog post here.

Photo Credit: https://bostoncityscapes.com/holiday-decor/#

This two-level 21,214-square-foot fire station in a rapidly growing community reduces response time, establishes a strong and transparent civic presence, and uses biophilic design principles to support fire fighters physical and mental wellness.

Client: Marion Fire Station 1, City of Marion
Location: Marion, Iowa
Company: OPN Architects
Credit: https://opnarchitects.com/portfolio/marion-fire-station-headquarters/

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.