A Day of Inspiration and Connection
The Biophilia Summit 2024, held online on June 6th, was a resounding success, bringing together a vibrant community of nature enthusiasts, experts, and innovators. With a diverse lineup of speakers from around the world, attendees were treated to a day filled with inspiration, learning, and deep connection to the natural world. Whether you missed the event or want to relive the highlights, this recap will take you through the key moments and insights that made this summit truly special.
Panel Discussions: Diving Deeper
A series of panel discussions brought together speakers to discuss their overlapping expertise from various fields. Here are the highlights:
Place + Architecture: Inner and Outer Nature Connection
Moderated by Amit Anafi and featuring Deborah Early and Fiona Grey, this discussion focused on Place + Architecture, exploring the inner and outer experience of nature connection. Deborah led us through an exercise in reflecting on how specific places make us feel, while Fiona shared a beautiful poem about being on the front lines of climate change and the deep connection she feels for a changing river.
“It’s about bringing ourselves on the journey,” shared Deborah, and “moving from biophilia as a concept and design framework to one of a transition in mindset [is essential],” remarked Fiona.
Nature: Handprints of Good Design
Caroline Pidcock, Sonja Donnauer-Dums, and Maria del Pilar Porras Villarreal were brought together to discuss nature. Caroline introduced the concept of Handprints of Good Design, Sonja spoke about biophilic inspiration and models of leadership, and Maria, who also moderated this panel, introduced the Red Mangrove Initiative.
“…embodied carbon really embodies culture,” remarked Caroline, emphasising how our impact on the environment reflects our society’s values.
Future Generations: Biophilic Design in Education
Rokhshid Ghaziani, Kaitlyn Gillis, her sister Cara Gillis, and moderator Carly Butler spoke about biophilic design in schools, unintended consequences, and universal design principles. They discussed the benefits of designing educational environments that foster a deep connection with nature and the possibility of doing harm through biophilic design.
Tools: Innovations in Biophilic Design
Nicole Craanen moderated a panel featuring Isabella Bhoan and Jo Petroni, both of whom shared new tools for biophilic design. Jo introduced us to the Moloch monster and her bottom-up solution for mapping regenerative patterns, while Isabella shared her Landscape Information Management (LIM) tool, which facilitates communication and quantification of the benefits of nature with landscape architecture clients.
“Everything is connected and we need to learn how to juggle with uncertainty,” said Jo.
Futures: Challenges and Opportunities in Biophilic Design
Dr. Angela Loder led a grand finale panel discussion with Elizabeth Calabrese, Caroline Pidcock, and Ludovic Pittie on the biggest challenges for implementing biophilic design, the most promising solutions, and the future of biophilia.
Angela: “We know that carbon accounting, though necessary, is not going to save the planet on its own.”
Elizabeth: “At the heart of biophilia and biophilic design is what we can do for nature as humanity,” and “Part of biophilia is feeling safe.”
Ludovic: “Start with a point of dialogue on first principles. Don’t take the solution for granted. Take people on the journey with you because ultimately they might just become the stewards of that land no matter how natural or man-made it becomes.”
Caroline: “Our reconnection with nature is where the future lies.”
Get Involved: Purchase the Recording or Sign Up for Our Next Event
Purchase the recording of the Biophilia Summit 2024 to access a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. To deepen your understanding beyond the summary, visit the registration page.
We invite you to join us in our mission to foster a deeper connection with the natural world. Apply what you’ve learned and take the next step in your journey.
Register for the upcoming Biophilia Camp and Bar Camp to continue your exploration and engagement with nature.
For more details and to sign up for our future events, visit the registration page.
This was our amazing program.
SCHEDULE
[All times are CEST / UTC+2]
WELCOME + INTRO
10:00 – 10:10
Carlo Battisti – Living Future Europe
Welcome & Introduction
PLACE + ARCHITECTURE
10:10 – 10:40
Kirsti Luke – Tuhoe Te Uru Taumatua
Place-Based Relationships
10:40 – 11:10
Oliver Heath – Oliver Heath Design
Biophilic Design in Practice: The Good, the Bad, and the Flourishing
11:10 – 11:25
Deborah Early – The Art of Awareness
Explore Inner and Outer Landscapes
11:25 – 11:40
Fiona Grey – Bioliving by Design
The Enduring River: A Narrative of Nature’s Power and Human Connection
Moderation: Amit Anafi
11:40 – 11:55
BIOPHILIC BREAK
NATURE
11:55 – 12:10
Caroline Pidcock – Pidcock
Handprints of Good Design
12:10 – 12:25
Sonja Donauer-Dums – CEO and Co-Founder, Alpine Genius Think Tank
Biomimicry-Inspired Leadership: Unveiling the Blueprint for Thriving, Future-Ready Organizations
12:25 – 12:40
Maria del Pilar Porras Villarreal – Living Structur
The Red Mangrove Initiative
Moderation: Maria del Pilar Porras Villarreal
12:40 – 13:00
Martin Brown – Living Future Europe
Meditative Connection with Nature (Track from Lil Jon) to Lead into Lunch
13:00 – 14:00
BIOPHILIC LUNCH BREAK + MURAL
14:00 – 14:10
Martin Brown – Living Future Europe
Introduction
FUTURE GENERATIONS
14:10 – 14:40
Miles Richardson – Professor of Human Factors and Nature Connectedness, University of Derby
Fixing Our Failing Relationship with Nature
14:40 – 14:55
Rokhshid Ghaziani – Senior Lecturer, University of Portsmouth
Re-thinking Biophilic Design for Primary Schools: Exploring Children’s Preferences
14:55 – 15:10
Kaitlyn Gillis – Senior Advisor, Sustainability + Social Impact, hcma
Love of the Wrong Nature: Can Biophilic Design Ever Be Harmful?
Moderation: Carly Butler
15:10 – 15:40
Olivia Ahltorp – Music Producer, Composer, and Artist
Music & Storytelling for Change
15:40 – 15:55
BIOPHILIC BREAK
TOOLS
15:55 – 16:10
Isabella Bhoan – Head of Landscape Architecture, Weston Williamson + Partners
LIM – Landscape Information Management
16:10 – 16:25
Jo Petroni – Owner, Listen to Your Land & Permarchitecture; Program Manager, Sustainable Design, WerkWell Project Services
Regenerative Patterns: A Guide to Shaping Our Future Places
Moderation: Nicole Craanen
16:25 – 16:50
Drea Burbank – Founder & CEO, Savimbo
Biodiversity Credits
FUTURES
16:50 – 17:30
Angela Loder – President, Greening the City
Panel Discussion with Elizabeth Calabrese (Principal Architect, Educator of Biophilic Design), Caroline Pidcock (Pidcock), Ludovic Pittie (Director, Head of Landscape – WSP)
CLOSING REMARKS
17:30 – 17:40
Carlo Battisti, Martin Brown – Living Future Europe
