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.
Keynote Expertise
In Part 1, “We are Nature,” we recapped take aways from our keynote speakers.
Insightful Panel Conversations
In Part 2, “Part of biophilia is feeling save,” we gave some highlights of the Summit’s panel speakers.
Unique Experiences
The summit also featured less conventional experiences that enriched the event.
Olivia Ahltorp captivated the audience with her exploration of the connection between music and nature. Sharing several of her compositions and her artistic process, Olivia demonstrated how nature can be a profound source of inspiration and healing through music.
“I believe music and stories hold a profound power in fostering sustainable change.” – Olivia
The event utilised Mural. Attendees had the opportunity to contribute to interactive boards, where they could post their thoughts, inspirations, and project ideas related to biophilia. This tool allowed for a unique form of networking, breaking down the barriers of traditional conference settings and creating a more inclusive and participatory experience. A highlight was the “Laptop Escape – Biophilic Spot” board where everyone shared a photo and what they love about a particular location in nature. The board remains open for exploration (send us a note upon registration and we will share the link)!
Attendees also enjoyed a guided meditation session with a special track from Lil Jon. “Yeahh!” that Lil Jon. The album offered a moment of reflection and rejuvenation amid an information packed day.
Reflecting on the Day
The theme of Ki, Kin, and Kinship was a recurring motif throughout the day, highlighting the importance of deepening our connection with nature and recognizing it as a vital part of our community. As Robin Wall Kimmerer eloquently put it, using language that reflects our kinship with nature can transform our perspective and foster a more respectful relationship with the environment. She wrote, “When we refer to a 1,000-year-old tree as ‘it,’ it is with an arrogant perspective, yet by using ‘ki’ we start to understand the character of the tree and a forest of kin.”
The Biophilia Summit 2024 demonstrated the power of collective action and the hope for a future where biophilia is integrated into our daily lives. It underscored that biophilia and biophilic design are not only about tools and standards but require a holistic approach including the cultivation of a mindset that values and protects the natural world.
As we move forward, it’s clear that buildings and design can be instruments of positive change, helping us create a regenerative, nature-positive future. The keyword of the summit for many was “Ki,” a term that signifies the life force and connection that runs through all things. This concept resonated with attendees and speakers alike, emphasising the importance of seeing nature as kin.
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.
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
