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

Photo Credits: Habitat Horticulture, Urban Confluence

At AIA26, architects explored some of the profession’s most pressing challenges: regenerative design, adaptive reuse, healthier communities, and the future of human-centered practice. At the same time, a major new study published in Architectural Science Review offered a timely reminder: people care deeply about how buildings make them feel.

Surveying more than 4,000 participants, researchers found that 75.6% believe buildings affect their mental wellbeing, while more than 70% support investing in buildings that create positive emotional experiences. Participants consistently favored buildings they described as interesting, distinctive, and memorable, while expressing frustration with what many perceived as increasingly “boring” and “soulless” architecture.

The findings also revealed a strong preference for restoring older buildings rather than demolishing them. Why? Because the buildings people value emotionally are often the ones they want to preserve. In this way, emotional connection may be an overlooked component of sustainability. Buildings that foster pride, identity, and attachment are more likely to endure.

This idea aligns closely with many of the conversations emerging across the profession today. As architects seek ways to create healthier, more resilient places, design strategies that strengthen human connection—to community, to place, and to nature—are gaining momentum. Whether through adaptive reuse, thoughtful placemaking, or biophilic design, the goal is increasingly the same: create buildings people care about.

For designers, the takeaway is both simple and profound. Performance matters. Sustainability matters. But the public is telling us that how a building makes people feel matters, too.

Perhaps the future of sustainable architecture isn’t just designing buildings that last. It’s designing buildings that people love enough to save.

Source: Catherine Hong, “See How One Top Landscape Design Firm’s Office Design Fights Screen Fatigue,”Architectural Digest, June 23, 2026. 
Image Credit: Garden 26 office, Photography by Clemens Kois, Architectural Digest.

Landscape architecture firm Garden 26 has transformed its New York City headquarters into a workspace that encourages designers to step away from their screens and reconnect with nature. Created around abundant daylight, tactile materials, a robust design library, and a 570-square-foot outdoor terrace, the office was intentionally designed to inspire creativity, collaboration, and wellbeing. Founder Helen Lambrakis notes that today’s designers spend too much time experiencing plants and materials through screens rather than in person—highlighting the value of environments that encourage hands-on interaction with nature. The project reinforces a growing movement toward human-centered workplaces where thoughtfully integrated natural elements support healthier, more engaging work environments.

How can interior plants help attract, engage, and retain tenants in today’s competitive commercial real estate market?

In this presentation, Samantha Goodman, Vice President of Sales & Operations at Cityscapes in Boston, shares how thoughtfully designed interior plantscapes and biophilic design create memorable tenant experiences that strengthen loyalty, increase satisfaction, and support long-term occupancy.

Drawing from her experience creating innovative commercial interiors, Samantha explores how strategically integrating nature into workplaces fosters emotional connections, enhances occupant wellbeing, and reinforces a property’s brand while delivering lasting value for building owners and managers.

In this session, you’ll learn:
• How greenery influences emotions, creativity, and wellbeing
• Why biophilic design enhances the tenant experience
• Strategies for using plants to support tenant engagement and retention
• Real-world examples of impactful commercial interiorscape projects
• How plant-forward environments create more desirable, marketable properties

Samantha Goodman is Vice President of Sales & Operations at Cityscapes in Boston, a leading commercial interiorscape company specializing in biophilic design, interior landscaping, living plant installations, and workplace environments. She partners with property owners, developers, architects, and designers to create spaces that improve occupant experience while delivering measurable business value.

Showcase your company’s best work on the global stage!

The 2026 Biophilic Design Awards recognize outstanding achievements in interior plantscaping and biophilic design, celebrating projects that demonstrate creativity, innovation, and excellence across the industry.

Entries are now being accepted for projects completed between January 21, 2024, and July 8, 2026, in categories including green walls, office design, hotel and resort landscapes, rooftop gardens, moss walls, container plantings, holiday décor, and more.

Award winners receive international recognition, social media promotion, features in I-Plants Magazine, valuable marketing opportunities, and well-deserved recognition for their teams.

Submit your project and help showcase the future of biophilic design.

What if you could reduce pests, eliminate messy leaf shine products, prevent clogged irrigation lines, and cut maintenance time—all while improving plant health?

In GPGB’s latest educational webinar, Environmental Plant Management (EPM) introduces an innovative enzyme-based approach that’s changing how interiorscape professionals care for commercial plants. Whether you maintain office plants, living walls, hospitality environments, or large commercial installations, this session delivers practical strategies you can implement immediately.

You’ll learn how to naturally control common pests, improve irrigation system performance, simplify technician training, and reduce labor with environmentally friendly solutions backed by more than 30 years of innovation. Featuring real-world success stories and practical application techniques, this webinar offers valuable insights for anyone looking to build healthier plants and more efficient maintenance programs.

Watch the recording and discover a smarter approach to interiorscape plant health.

While most people aren’t thinking about the holidays yet, successful interiorscape companies know that now is the time to plan. This month’s GPGB Supporter Open Forum brought members together to discuss the trends, strategies, and operational planning that drive successful holiday décor programs.

The interactive discussion covered emerging client requests, pricing and profitability, labor planning, installation logistics, sustainable décor solutions, and marketing strategies that help maximize seasonal revenue. Participants also shared real-world experiences and best practices for expanding holiday services while strengthening client relationships.

The conversation reinforced a simple truth: the most successful holiday installations begin with thoughtful planning months before the season arrives. GPGB thanks everyone who contributed their ideas and expertise during another valuable Supporter Open Forum.

Each month, GPGB supporters come together for an interactive Open Forum designed to foster collaboration, share best practices, and address the challenges and opportunities shaping the interiorscape industry. Held on the last Wednesday of each month at 12:00 PM EST, these peer-driven discussions provide a valuable opportunity to learn from industry leaders and fellow professionals.

Over the past year, participants have explored a wide range of timely business and industry topics, including:

• Building and maintaining partnerships with architects and designers
• Leveraging artificial intelligence in business operations
• Customer service excellence and long-term relationship building
• Improving profitability and financial performance
• Emerging design and workplace trends
• Technology solutions for interiorscape businesses
• Lease versus purchase pricing strategies
• Strategic planning and business growth
• Optimizing direct labor efficiency
• Recruiting, retaining, and developing future talent

These conversations have provided actionable insights, practical solutions, and fresh perspectives that supporters can apply directly to their businesses.

Join the Conversation!

GPGB’s Open Forums help supporters stay informed, connected, and prepared for the future by bringing together professionals committed to advancing plants, sustainability, wellness, and performance in the built environment.

All personnel of GPGB supporting companies are encouraged to participate, share their experiences, and contribute to the ongoing conversation.

Not a supporter yet? Join GPGB to gain access to these exclusive forums and be part of the conversation shaping the future of biophilic design and the built environment.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Your engagement helps drive GPGB’s mission forward—elevating green building practices and expanding the role of nature in the built environment. Because of you, we’re able to advocate, educate, and innovate in ways that positively impact both people and the planet.

Here are a few recent highlights made possible through your support:

• Inspiring the Next Generation: GPGB proudly sponsored the Interior Plant Identification and Biophilic Interiors Learning Sessions at the NALP National Collegiate Landscape Competition, helping educate and inspire future industry leaders.
• AIA Conference on Architecture 2026: GPGB had an outstanding week connecting with architects, designers, and industry professionals at AIA26, continuing important conversations about sustainable, human-centered design and the role of plants in creating healthier, higher-performing buildings.
• NeoCon 2026 CEU: GPGB presented Wellness-Driven Interiorscapes for Sustainable Design, exploring how integrated plant design supports health, productivity, and building performance. If you attended NeoCon 2026, the on-demand course remains available online through December 31, 2026, and qualifies for AIA Health, Safety & Welfare (HSW) and IDCEC HSW continuing education credit.
• Advancing Inclusive Design: We’re developing new CEUs on Designing Neuroinclusive Spaces, expanding the dialogue around wellness, accessibility, and biophilic environments.

Your support makes this work possible. Together, we’re shaping healthier, more sustainable, and more inclusive spaces.

Connect with the Experts Behind Exceptional Spaces

Whether you’re designing a new workplace, renovating an existing property, or planning a commercial holiday décor installation, the right partner can make all the difference. The GPGB Provider Directory connects architects, interior designers, property managers, facility teams, and building owners with trusted professionals specializing in interiorscaping, biophilic design, and commercial holiday décor.

From living walls, interior plants, decorative containers, and ongoing plant maintenance to seasonal holiday displays, growers, suppliers, and specialty services, GPGB’s network offers the expertise needed to create exceptional environments across office buildings, healthcare facilities, hospitality venues, educational institutions, retail spaces, and mixed-use developments.

Whether your goal is to enhance occupant wellbeing, elevate tenant experiences, improve building aesthetics, or create memorable seasonal installations, the GPGB Provider Directory makes it easy to find experienced professionals who can bring your vision to life.

Explore the GPGB Provider Directory today and connect with industry experts helping shape healthier, more engaging, and more beautiful commercial spaces year-round.

Visit the GPGB Provider Directory today and connect with experts who are shaping the future of nature-inspired design.

A Collaborative Showcase of Biophilic Design at AIA26

GPGB’s immersive nature-inspired booth at the San Diego Convention Center demonstrated the power of industry collaboration, bringing biophilic design to life through the generous support of our members and partners. Attendees experienced a vibrant living environment featuring donated living wall plants from Olive Hill Greenhouses, an ASI living wall tray system and containers, West Coast Nursery plants, Plantscapers plants, containers, and a custom moss art, NewPro Containers, a West Coast Pottery fountain, Soltech horticultural lighting, Vulkaponic USA growing medium, and succulent giveaways from California Greenhouses.

The booth’s success was made possible through the dedication of on-site volunteers from Plantscapers, ASI, GrowUp, Soltech, NewPro Containers, Natura, and The Emerald City, who welcomed visitors and shared their expertise throughout the conference. Special recognition goes to Plantscapers, whose team led the event planning, booth design, logistics, installation, labor, and overall coordination, creating an engaging destination that inspired architects and designers to explore the benefits of biophilic design and healthier buildings.

Chelsea Flower Show Garden to Become a Lasting Community Green Space

One of the standout gardens from the 2026 RHS Chelsea Flower Show is creating a legacy beyond the event. The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Garden: On the Edge, designed by award-winning landscape designer Sarah Eberle, will be relocated to Park Hill in Sheffield, where it will become a permanent community space. Inspired by the overlooked natural areas that connect cities and countryside, the garden celebrates biodiversity, native plants, and the role of nature in supporting community wellbeing—demonstrating how temporary exhibition gardens can create lasting environmental and social impact.

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.