Join the Waitlist for the Fall 2025 Cohort!
The Biophilic Design Certification Program:
Biophilic Fundamentals
Learn biophilic design through your personal connection to nature.
The Next Session is Coming Up on
September 11th, 2025
Join the waitlist to be the first to get access to registration and receive exclusive course discounts only available to Waitlist Members.
*Registration will open to the public on July 1st. Join the Waitlist to get early access on June 16th.
PLUS! Earn 30 GBCI General Credits!
Testimonials
“One of the most fulfilling things I've ever done."
Sarah Boulos | Showroom & Area Sales Manager
"The time I invested has benefitted and shaped my relationship with nature."
Stephanie Strang | Cybersecurity Awareness Manager @ Johnson Controls
“The best part of the Forest Therapy Walk with Nicole was that afterward I felt like I could BREATHE again."
Amanda Stein | Copywriter & Founder @Gioia Creative
“I’ve been studying biophilic design for years, but this course took my learning to a whole new level by embodying the knowledge in a more exploratory way.”
Tracey Conn | Workplace Furniture District Manager @ Teknion
“What a great journey to self discovery I wasn't prepared for. This course has given me confidence in biophilic design and sparked a fire to learn even more."
Kirbi Taussig | Interior Designer @ Cohlmia’s “The Plant Place”
"This course over delivers. It has brought me to a point where I feel I can start a business based on the new knowledge and direction I have. It is an incredibly rewarding program that will benefit anyone interested in biophilic design."
Kelsey Bradley | Founder @ Design Cause | Executive Director @ The Human Architecture & Planning Institute
Taking the Biophilic Design Practitioner cohort course was nothing short of transformational."
Jessica Buhr | Managing Director @ Plant Solutions
"All of the coursework in this program has felt like opening a little box of wonders."
Diane Luepke | Operations Manager @ Global Energy Monitor
“This course is so much more than just learning about what biophilic design is. It is about embarking on a deeper, more meaningful exploration of what it can truly be. It’s an inspiring, eye-opening experience, and I’m so deeply grateful to have been a part of it.
Nicole, is one of the most driven and impactful individuals I’ve had the privilege of learning from."
Jessica Buhr | Managing Director @ Plant Solutions
“This course is a compelling fusion of education and exploration—one that challenges traditional design thinking, deepens personal connections to meaningful work, and reframes our responsibility as designers to be stewards of human experience.”
Brienne Willcock | Director of Education and Standards @ Illuminating Engineering Society
"This class opened my eyes to a new way of designing and building space, one rooted in intention and respect for the earth."
Maura Cannon | Civil Engineer
Ready to take your design career to the next level with a deeper connection to nature?
Upon completion of this curriculum, you will be able to:
- Identify and articulate your role and relationship to nature
- Illustrate your understanding of biophilia and how it aligns with the technical aspects of biophilic design
- Articulate how your relationship with nature shapes your approach to biophilic design
- Build awareness of how your interaction with nature differs from others and understand the importance of these differences
- Cultivate a deeper sensory relationship with the natural world through direct experiences
- Find a deeper sense of purpose in your career
A 3-month journey into the heart of biophilic design and nature connection.
This course lays the foundation for your biophilic journey by blending the wisdom of forest therapy with the principles of biophilic design. Build a deeper connection with nature through self-discovery by reconnecting with your senses.
Biophilic Design Certification
To earn your Biophilic Design Certification, we encourage active participation throughout the program. Successful completion includes attending the virtual guided forest therapy walk, and 6 of the 7 live sessions, actively engaging in discussions, and fulfilling all assigned coursework.
Financial Investment
$2,000 $1,900 USD if paid in full or
(4) monthly installments of $500
Accepted Payment Methods:
Our billing platform is called MoonClerk which accepts payments securely through Stripe, which includes various options. Exchange rates are determined by the issuing bank.
Spring Session Overview
Course Highlights
- Introduction to Biophilic Design and Nature Connectedness
- Guided Forest Therapy Walk
- Building a Deeper Relationship with Self and Nature
- Exploring Different Ways of Knowing and Understanding
Course Timeline
Start Date:
Our fall session begins September 11th, 2025. The next session will begin early 2026.
Cohort Size:
20 participants per cohort
Course Format:
Hybrid Cohort with live virtual sessions and self-paced learning
Weekly Time Commitment:
A new module will be released each week and you’ll likely spend approximately 3 to 5 hours on the material, depending on the complexity of assignments.
Live Meeting Details
Live Session Format:
Required 90-minute live virtual sessions are held every two weeks. On alternating weeks, there is an optional 60-minute Q&A and community-building session. One of the live sessions includes a 120-minute virtually guided forest therapy walk (see schedule below).
Session Start Time & Time Zone:
All sessions begin at 9:00 am Central Time. The course starts in CDT (Central Daylight Time, UTC−05:00) and shifts to CST (Central Standard Time, UTC−06:00) on November 2nd. Please check worldtimebuddy to ensure these times work for you.
Meeting Platform: All meetings are hosted on Google Meet. Calendar invitations will be sent before the course begins.
Live Course Schedule
- Sept 11: Live Session 1 (90-minutes)
- Sept 18: Optional Drop In Q&A and Community Building (60-minutes)
- Sept 25: Live Session 2: Virtually guided Forest Therapy Walk (120-minutes)
- Oct 2: Optional Drop In Q&A and Community Building (60-minutes)
- Oct 9: Live Session 3 (90-minutes)
- Oct 16: Optional Drop In Q&A and Community Building (60-minutes)
- Oct 23: Live Session 4 (90-minutes)
- Oct 30: Optional Drop In Q&A and Community Building (60-minutes)
- Nov 6: Live Session 5 (90-minutes)
- Nov 13: Optional Drop In Q&A and Community Building (60-minutes)
- Nov 20: Live Session 6 (90-minutes)
- Nov 27: No Class – US holiday
- Dec 4: Optional Drop In Q&A and Community Building (60-minutes)
- Dec 11: Live Session 7 (90-minutes)
Testimonials
"I like the balance of reading, reflection, experience, and discussion [the course] offered. The materials were concise and meaningful, which allowed space for me to reflect on what I learned. The time I invested has benefitted and shaped my relationship with nature."
Stephanie Strang | Cybersecurity Awareness Manager @ Johnson Controls
"To be honest, I am surprised about what this training is doing with me. A lot of my old memories, specially when I was a child are waking up. I was already convinced about our relationship with nature but this part of the session gave to me a new ways to understand our relationship and specially that we are part of it and we need to protect it even more. Thanks Nicole!"
Oscar Hernandez | Building Performance Director
“The best part of the Forest Therapy Walk with Nicole was that afterward I felt like I could BREATHE again. Not only did I feel refreshed simply by being in nature, I was truly and utterly present the entire time. Although I did reflect back and consider my path, the majority of the exercises kept me grounded in the moment. And THAT was a true gift! I hope I get to do these more often! ”
Amanda Stein | Copywriter & Founder @Gioia Creative
"Being able to meet virtually also meant I got to hear from people experiencing different environments and times of day, which I felt enhanced the experience and connection not just in my immediate environment, but also with the larger world outside of me."
Keeli MaKae | Sales & Marketing Coordinator @ Plant Solutions
“I am grateful for the continued expansion of my own being and the way that this course module has helped me to more deeply connect with others and the natural world. I have been using these teachings in my everyday life, as I meet challenges and create solutions using a more holistic approach.”
Tamberly Conway | Arborist, Founder & CEO @ Conservation Conexions, LLC
"I had hesitations on how well I'd be able to feel connected through a virtual space, but I can attest that it was a wonderfully connecting and engaging experience, both with the world around me and with other members of the cohort. Being able to meet virtually also meant I got to hear from people experiencing different environments and times of day, which I felt enhanced the experience and connection not just in my immediate environment, but also with the larger world outside of me. Forest Therapy will be something I seek out more frequently because of my experience!"
Keeli MaKae | Sales & Marketing Coordinator @ Plant Solutions
"All of the coursework in this program has felt like opening a little box of wonders. So many invitations to better understand humanity's psychological needs for connection with the natural world, to deepen my own nature connection, and to learn how to design spaces that support the wellbeing of both humans and non-human organisms.”
Diane Luepke | Operations Manager @ Global Energy Monitor
“I am grateful for the continued expansion of my own being and the way that this course module has helped me to more deeply connect with others and the natural world. I have been using these teachings in my everyday life, as I meet challenges and create solutions using a more holistic approach.”
Tamberly Conway | Arborist, Founder & CEO @ Conservation Conexions, LLC
Who is this curriculum for?
The Biophilic Design Institute believes that we are stronger with a greater diversity of thought, professional backgrounds, and lived experiences.
This course is designed for people from all walks of life. From students to seasoned professionals, those in interior plant care to urban planners to design and innovation strategist.
Countries Represented:
- US
- Canda
- India
- Australia
- Iceland
- Signapore
- Puerto Rico
- Sweden
Professions Represented:
- interior design
- architecture
- greenhouse technology
- interiorscaping
- landscape architecture
- students
- cybersecurity
- operations
- lighting design
- urban planning and design
- sustainable design
- mechanical and civil engineering
- arboriculture
- manufacturing
- entrepreneurship
- horticulture
- and more!
If you feel this work is relevant in any way – you are more than welcome!
Meet the creator of the Biophilic Fundamentals Curriculum
Nicole Craanen
Nicole Craanen is an internationally recognized interior designer and environmental advocate with a Master’s in Human Ecology, pioneering sustainable and regenerative design approaches through consultancy, global speaking engagements, and her Biophilic Design Professional Certification program. As the founder of The Biophilic Design Institute, and as a trained yoga teacher and Nature & Forest Therapy Guide, she explores the intersection of human well-being and ecological balance.
What’s included in the course?
INTRODUCTION:
Get oriented to the course structure, technology, and learning community. You’ll meet your instructor, connect with peers, set personal goals, and complete an initial nature connectedness reflection to begin thinking about your relationship with nature. This module lays the groundwork for the experiential and applied learning ahead.
MODULE ONE:
How You Experience Your Environment and The Other Beings In It
Explore your personal relationship with nature through reflection, self-assessment, and sensory observation. Build foundational awareness of how humans perceive and interact with the natural world.
MODULE TWO:
What is Biophilic Design? History and Definition
Explore the history, definitions, and purpose of biophilic design. You’ll also reflect on your personal relationship with nature and begin your weekly sit-spot practice—a nature-based observation exercise to strengthen sensory awareness and reflection.
MODULE THREE
What is Biophilic Design? The Biophilic Frameworks
Examine how biophilic design is defined and organized through a range of established frameworks, and explore related ideas that are sometimes confused with biophilic design.
MODULE FOUR:
Multi-Sensory Design & Learning From Your Senses Through Touch
Explore the foundations of multi-sensory design and begin examining how your sense of touch shapes experiences of place. This module introduces ways of perceiving both natural and built environments through direct sensory awareness.
MODULE FIVE:
Understanding Spatial Characteristics
Examine how spatial layouts influence behavior, movement, and sensory experience. This module introduces key spatial theories and observational tools to help you analyze how environments support comfort, orientation, and engagement.
MODULE SIX:
Learning From Your Senses Through Sight
Examine how sight contributes to sensory experience in both natural and built environments, including visual elements that influence how we perceive space and understand multi-sensory design.
MODULE SEVEN:
How Your Strengths Influence Perspective & Well-Being
Identify how your strengths, values, and passions align to guide meaningful action using the Venn Diagram of Biophilic Action, inspired by Ikigai. Examine how these strengths influence your perspective, relationships, and connection to place, while exploring how built and natural environments impact well-being, stress, and health.
MODULE EIGHT:
Learning From Your Senses Through Sound
Examine how sound influences experience in both natural and built environments, including acoustic comfort, sound pollution, and the role of sound in health, healing, and cognitive function.
MODULE NINE:
How Your Values Influence Perspective + Biophilic-Washing
Examine how values shape decisions, communication, and collaboration in biophilic design. Learn how to advocate for authentic practice and recognize when nature-based language is applied in ways that misrepresent biophilic design.
MODULE TEN:
Learning From Your Senses Through Smell & Taste
Examine how smell and taste influence perception, emotion, and well-being in both natural and built environments. Explore how these chemical senses affect mood, behavior, cognitive function, and attachment to place.
MODULE ELEVEN:
Purpose and Awe & Your Biophilic Design Practice
Reflect on your journey through the course and consider how awe, purpose, and personal meaning can guide your future work in biophilic design.
Biophilic Design Institute FAQs
We run twice a year, one spring session and one fall session. Our next session starts on September 11th, 2025.
Please reach out with any financial questions, we will do our best to work with you! Our waitlist receives a special discount, and we offer payment plans as well.
To get the most out of this program, it is expected that you will spend between 3-5 hours per week on the coursework, this includes the biweekly live-virtual coaching sessions.
Biophilic design reaches many fields, from the architecture industry (like interior designers, architects, landscape architects, urban planners, engineers, etc), to manufacturers, business strategists, HR professionals and more. If you believe having a great connection to nature and understanding the concepts the bring us biophilic design are important to you, then you belong in this course!
The only knowledge you need to have is to know that you want to learn more!
Nope! The only restriction is if you can make the time work for our live-virtual sessions. This course caters to an international audience, and we’re aware of time zone challenges.
Yes. While this course is a foundation course, you will leave this program understanding your personal connection to nature and biophilic design in a way that gives you the skills to articulate the benefits to a wide range of people, including clients. And future courses will expand on these concepts to provide further expertise!
Just see what course participants have said:
“This course made me feel confident in the concepts, historical trends, history, theory, and future strategies to implement biophilic connectivity and design concepts into spaces that we interact in everyday. This course will help you inspire the inspirer, whether that be yourself, your customers, or your loved ones.” -Tommy Nichols
Biophilic design is a growing field and a top trend for the last few years. Biophilic knowledge is found in sustainability certification programs like WELL, LEED and the Living Building Challenge as well as in guidelines like the AIA Framework for Design Excellence and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This knowledge will enhance any work you do related to well-being or sustainability.
Our course is now worth 30 GBCI-general credits. These are also accepted by WELL, IDCEC and AIA. Your credential body may accept these as as well, we suggest asking them prior to enrollment.
“This course has brought me to a point where I feel I can start a business based on the new knowledge and direction I have. It is an incredibly rewarding program that will benefit anyone interested in biophilic design.” -Kelsey Bradley
“The course was extremely well-structured with a blend of research, real-world examples, and actionable strategies that I’ve already started applying in my work.” -Keeli MaKae
You can review the full Terms & Conditions document HERE. Payment details and the refund policy are outlined on pages 11–12.