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

Human Resources, for Plants

A cadre of creative types now cares for the hundreds of thousands of corporate plants in New York City, one leaf at a time.
By Steven Kurutz

…Rebecca Bullene, the founder of Greenery NYC, said her company has been flooded with applicants lately. “They say, ‘I keep seeing these plant stores. I need a lifestyle shift,’” she said. That’s a big change from a decade ago, she added, when she had a hard time finding workers, and most came from a landscaping background…

…The hipification of the plant business fits in with related movements in fashion, cuisine and design that came along around the turn of the century: High-end fashion designers drew inspiration from Carhartt and other workwear brands that had long made clothes for laborers; chefs assembled seasonal menus of simple fare at farm-to-table establishments with cracked wooden tables; and interior designers moved away from anything rococo to a refined version of Grandmother’s house in the woods.

…With the emergence of biophilic design, which brings natural elements to homes and offices to promote a sense of well-being, lush plant displays became essential to Silicon Valley start-ups and established companies alike…

Change is about people and when it comes to people, there is no formula and there is no one way, this is challenging and hard. For designers, architects, and planners who are trying to convince people to do something different, to do something maybe that business has never done before, what tools do we need to help take our clients on that “change” journey with us?

I was lucky to catch up with the Change Master, Jennifer Bryan, who will also be speaking at Workplace Trends in London on 18 October 2023. Jennifer shares with us some tips to help you lead that change, for her there is “no change without learning and no learning without change,” and it has to come from a “people-centric perspective.”

Jennifer gives us some sound advice. She describes what she calls the “end person in mind approach.” If you think about the person who is the furthest away from the decision-making room, when they first hear about the change (whether that is the watercooler gossip or a town hall) if you can make that initial moment for that positive then you will have a positive initial moment for everyone else in between.
There are 8 different reasons why people resist change. Jennifer outlines some with us here. Sometimes it’s because they don’t understand the change, or it could be how they perceive it, it could be fear emotional, or historical. If you want to fine-tune your potential to lead change, get your hands on her book: “Leading People in Change”. Understand where that “resistance” might be coming from. Ask the questions so you might understand why they might be resisting. Take them on a bit of a journey. Help people understand the “so what”. We forget that other people aren’t in that same space, and we need to be able to articulate that “so what” but it has to be that “so what” for them.

Think of this podcast as the essential spanner in your “Toolbox of Persuasion.” There’s a lot of good advice in this podcast for those involved in bringing Biophilic Design into the mainstream. We can help leaders and managers understand that Biophilia is not just fluff, help them to visualize a positive outcome and from a different angle. Read on…

GPGB is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting!
Topic: Quarterly Supporter Video Call Hosted by Paige Tisdale

Join to learn about the latest updates to the GPGB Registered Trainer Program, hear from an Industry Expert, 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!

Meet our host: Paige is currently the Business Developer at Dennis’ 7 Dees and works with commercial spaces indoors and out. She received her Bachelors of Science in Horticulture and thrives in sharing her passion of plants and the benefits they offer mentally, physically, and emotionally. Being in the Green Industry for 7 years, she has dabbled in plant shops, landscaping, golf courses, floral design, and now promotes Biophilic Design in the urban environment. With sustainability as a focus in her career, she is a Registered Trainer with Green Plants for Green Buildings and teaches about the positive effects biophilic design has on human behavior, including well-being and productivity. She is currently the President of the Oregon Landscape Contractors Association for the Portland Chapter, and serves in various capacities of other local and national associations. Currently working on receiving her WELL AP and MBA, she is always striving to learn more about the wonderful world of plants and how they can improve our lives.”

Time: Wednesday, October 25th, 2023 04:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

CLICK HERE to join this call.

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.

We want to extend a special thank you to our current Biophilic Champions:

• Architectural Supplements, LLC
• Cityscapes, Inc
• Natura
• Planterra

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.

These walls were neglected, heavily infested with pests and in dire need of a refresh. We were asked to help and were awarded the maintenance and renovation of this 600 square feet of living wall over 3 separate walls. 1 wall is 33’tall!

We stripped all of the plants and sanitized the wall before installing fresh greenery with a fresh design. The new plants were also accompanied by beneficial insects as a proactive measurement.

This project was completed within 2 days and consists of over 3,000 plants!
Way to go, SPC team!

Credit: Seattle Plant Company, Facebook

When moving into their new build offices in Auckland, New Zealand, MC wanted a space which would bring calm and peace to a busy workplace. A high-profile lawyers office for 300 plus staff, they wanted to emulate the New Zealand native forest experience. To bring this vision to reality, Outside In designed a unique new product, Forest Floor™, that naturally mimics the undulations, contours and look of the forest undergrowth. The space features a temperature-controlled forest terrarium over 2 floors (approximately 15,000 square feet), greenscaping throughout all of the office and collaboration spaces, as well as a café featuring extensive planting and moss walls. To top it off, the entire office is 6 Green Star rated and Well Certified – a building first for New Zealand.

Watch Outside In |MC Walk Through here.

Client: MC Centre
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Company: Outside In
Photo Credit: Outside In, Facebook

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.