Abstract submission for the 2024 Biophilia Summit is open!

Living Future Europe is excited to announce the call for proposals for our 2nd Biophilia Summit, taking place online, June 6th, 2024.

The Biophilia Summit is a first of its kind cutting-edge one-day event gathering biophilic lovers from all over Europe and beyond, focused on bringing together the latest research, disciplines and best practices around biophilic topics in the fields of architecture, fashion, art, psychology, leadership and many others. Learning from key players and biophilic advocates the summit will create conversations and advance awareness and practice.

Reconnecting with nature will save our society.” – The Biophilic Society

Are you an advocate for biophilia in architecture, design, art, biology, photography, psychology or any of the areas mentioned below?

Proposals are due Friday, March 29th, 2024.

Apply Now

The Biophilia Summit

  • When: 6th June 2024 [timing will enable presentations worldwide]
  • Where: online
  • Target group: biophilic lovers, architects, designers, psychologists, educators, artists, researchers, consultants, manufacturers, policy makers.
  • Registrations: opening on April 22nd
  • Language: English
  • Organisation: The Biophilic Society [a Living Future Europe initiative]
  • Further information: biophilicsociety@living-future.eu

Timeline

February 27 Call for speakers launch
(Friday) March 29 Deadline for proposals – by 11:59 pm (CET)
April 8-19 Proposals in review by the Biophilia Summit Committee
April 19 Proposal acceptance* and rejection notifications sent
April 22 Biophilia Summit 2024 Registration opens
May 6 Early Bird registration deadline
May 24 Speakers final presentations submission
June 6 Biophilia Summit 2024

(*) A detailed timeline with additional deadline information will be issued at the time of speaker acceptance. In appreciation of their contribution to the success of Biophilia Summit 2024, accepted speakers are eligible for a complimentary ticket.


Proposal Topics

Apply submitting your abstract under one the biophilic areas below. Deadline: March 29th 2024.

Urban architecture and biophilic gardens: enhancing nature connectedness. Urban farming and agriculture, and the returning trend to cultivate within cities in order to reconnect with nature, recover awareness of life cycles and reducing the impact of producing and delivering food through industrial processes from afar.

Acknowledging and learning from indigenous peoples and place stewardship. The biophilia hypothesis is the idea that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life. The term biophilia was used by Erich Fromm which in 1973 described biophilia as “the passionate love of life and of all that is alive.” Anecdotal and qualitative evidence suggests that humans are innately attracted to nature.

Biophilic design shakes up the conceptual process by asking new questions, provokes new reflections on the potential of the built environment and invites the project team to explore the advantages of a design aimed at the connection between human being and nature. Including interior design and social housing. The Living Building Challenge framework could be a source of inspiration.

Biophilia in art is in crafting art that enhances the reconnection with nature and mental health and well-being. By summoning up the senses and sense experience, and becoming present in and with nature, a pause moment is created, which develops into a more discerning emotional awareness of our wellbeing and that of the ecological world we impact.

The biophilic city is an ecosystem of nature connectedness, fully embrace a regenerative biophilia that allows all life to thrive. We are inviting narratives from cities that through policy, implementation or practice are becoming biophilic.

Biophilia and Biophilic Design is not just for the finished building in use, but can provide a far better and positive well being environment for those working on sites during the construction phase.

A biophilic approach is important not only for adults but also for children and teenagers whose physical and mental growth are influenced by the environment around them. Nature is a great teacher, we are calling for educational practices connected to biophilia, promoting wellness, cultural richness, and equity. We are inviting narratives from across the education spectrum.

Biophilic design in fashion is in creating clothing and accessories that enhance the wearer’s well-being. Connecting them with the natural world, using materials and production methods that are environmentally robust. Increasingly popular as consumers become more aware of the impact of fashion on the natural world and seek more sustainable and healthy clothing options.

AI generated images of an imagined biophilic future. If we cannot imagine a better future and what that feels and looks like, we will have a lower chance of getting there. We are inviting your images for a future biophilic place. A co-created future that works for all of life  This can be through AI or other art media, along with your written prompt / description of the imagined future

The typical organizational environment is hugely disconnected from the natural world and dysfunctional. New learning and skills are required for leaders and executives to achieve key targets. Agile management, awareness, sustainability, empathy, authenticity, openness, are all approaches that we can learn from nature. We are inviting leadership and management practices that are rooted in learning from and with nature.

Showing the connection with Nature’s intelligence, creating images and videos that enhance well-being through nature images. Photos and videos might be a landscape, a detailed view, or something completely different. Elements and attributes from Stephen R. Kellert’s work could be a source of inspiration.

Products whose primary use does not further disconnect people from nature, with the potential to transform people’s relationship to the natural world or to others in their community through the manufacturing process, informed by the natural world and biomimicry. The Living Product Challenge framework could be a source of inspiration.

Pushing biophilic thinking. Latest research around biophilia, biophilic design and health and wellbeing benefits: scientific articles, publications, findings, frameworks, tools.

Showcasing, inspiring, informative, and educational books around the “reconnection to nature” and “love for nature”. Including novels, essays, handbooks, guidelines, booklets. We are inviting the story and narrative of your own work, or of that which has inspired, even transformed your biophilic mindset.


Application data and documents

To submit your proposal you will be required to include:

  • your data
  • short bio (less than 1.500 characters, included spaces)
  • headshot photo
  • which area you are applying for
  • proposal’s title
  • abstract (less than 2.000 characters, included spaces)
  • attachments (if any)
  • your motivation to be part of the Biophilia Summit 2024

Application requirements and evaluation

Successful applications will

  • Offer a deep understanding of timely and significant content including biophilia implementation case studies, deep dives, and information that can create value and support among the audience.
  • Provide access to sources, data and resources for information and specifications.
  • Present replicable and scalable ideas for a biophilic approach implementation and provide clear takeaways that attendees can implement in their work after the event.
  • Demonstrate qualified and engaging presenters with topic-relevant experience, as evidenced through presenter bios, event speaking experience, and video presentations, whenever available.
  • Include clear, relevant learning objectives and challenging content for an advanced audience.
  • Provide thought leading and creative insights into potential development of biophilic design.

Selected speakers will receive

  • 1 (one) individual complimentary ticket for the whole event
  • excellent visibility in all communication materials

The Jury

Amit Anafi

I am a curious architect with a passion for sustainable and bio-climatic architecture, constantly searching to deepen my knowledge and skills learning how the design process can be more respectful to nature, taking into consideration local cultures, local construction techniques, climate data and other environmental factors, in order to create better spaces reducing the use of non-renewable energy resources. My current position is Head of ESG+S in an Italian Design & Construction firm Il Prisma.

Martin Brown

LFE’s Vice President, Martin Brown, one of many exemplary trainers coming together for this year’s Masterclass. Drawing on a life of outdoor exploration, a career in the built environment and a passion for a regenerative future, as a sustainability provocateur, Martin supports, counsels, nurtures and prompts clients, designers, contractors, academic & industry groups on regenerative journeys and discoveries.
From a blend of imperatives, Martin presents a core argument that sustainability as we approach it today, in simply lessening our impacts, will fall far short in arresting the climate, ecological and health emergencies we currently find ourselves in.

Carly Butler

I am a researcher in the Nature Connectedness Research Group at the University of Derby. I study the factors and practices that improve human-nature relationships and support organisations and practitioners who help connect people with nature.

Joe Clancy

Award-winning sustainability professional with 12 years’ experience of creating resilient estates through low cost, high impact retrofit interventions.I'm a landscape architect by profession and have a background in design research on biophilia. I'm currently a sustainability design advisor at the Department for Education, supporting the development of new green infrastructure standards.

Nicole Craanen

Nicole Craanen holds a Bachelor's in interior design and an MFA in Human Ecology, specializing in environment and behavior studies with a focus on biophilic design. Nicole is an international speaker and consultant on biophilic design. As a certified 200-hour yoga instructor and Nature & Forest Therapy Guide, she integrates embodiment practices into her design philosophy. Nicole is launching The Biophilic Design Institute, which offers education and community for designers.

Kaitlyn Gillis

Kaitlyn is a Senior Advisor, Sustainability + Social Impact, with hcma, an architecture and design firm based in Canada. Applying her technical and social science background, she finds creative solutions to benefit both people and the planet. With a research background focused on biophilic design and experience working with natural building materials, Kaitlyn continues to expand her knowledge on integrating nature into the built environment, including beyond building scale applications.

Paulina Grabowska

Paulina Grabowska, a designer focused on sustainability and regeneration, founded NASDRA for urban farm innovation and climate change mitigation. Her venture, Moodfarm, enhances workspaces, contributing to a FRAME design award win. She's involved in New York's Eco Solidarity, SWPS University's "Food Trails," Warsaw's Food LAB (EU Horizon 2020 funded), and teaches Biodesign at SWPS.

Paola di Legge

Paola di Legge Biophilic artist with deep interest in biophilia and biophilic design. Completed Biophilic Design course with LFI. Background in project management, Agile methodology, team management, cybercrime investigations.

Maria Miret

I am a landscape Architect working in the build environment. I have a passion for bringing nature close into our lives, into projects and in all the work I have done for the last 30 years. I am experienced in bringing biophilia topics into our work as responsible for the built environment and would love to bring this even more in action with you. I have a regenerative approach regarding biodiversity and have the conviction that we can do much better as a company and in our society as a whole.

Maria del Pilar Porras Villarreal

Maria del Pilar has +10 years of experience driving creative teams and managing design deliverables in fast-paced global work environments in architecture and design. She is deeply passionate about shaping and designing ideas and experiences that contribute to the regenerative potential of all life. She does this throughout her own practice called living.structur.es, the ecosystems where she acts as a facilitator, the Initiatives she co-creates and her volunteer service. She obtained her degree in architecture with a focus on tropical climate from the Universidad de Costa Rica in 2008. She became accredited LFA in 2021. In addition to her LFA accreditation, she is also a Certified Biomimicry Practitioner and Permaculture Designer.

Alice Piovan

Alice is a registered architect graduating in Sustainability at IUAV University of Venice. She embarked on her professional journey by working with an architectural firm, where she gained valuable experience and honed her technical skills. Alice took her expertise to new heights by transitioning to the role of Project Manager at a leading construction company. With a passion for sustainable practices that was turned on during her time at university, she actively seeks opportunities to raise awareness and promote these practices within the architectural community driven by a desire to make a positive impact on the environment.

Florencia de los Santos

Design of nature-based solutions for health, well-being and social inclusion. Designing ecosystems of sustainability and resilience for people and the planet Nature Based Social Innovation Biophilic Flower Design and Interior

Eloïse Vailland

After 7 years spent in the supply chain, trying to connect my job with my values, I decided to shift careers to contribute to business transformation towards a regenerative society. I am starting an industrial PhD in a small French company (Toovalu) that develops an online software to help companies pilot their CSR and climate strategies; in my research I am focusing on what regeneration means for businesses, how to get there and what would strategy piloting look like in that paradigm.

[Header photo by Simon Wilkes on Unsplash]