Other Resources
Looking to dig deeper into the world of biophilic design? Below you’ll find a curated collection of books, reports, podcasts, and videos that explore how nature and the built environment connect. Whether you’re seeking design guidance, scientific insights, or creative inspiration, these resources offer many ways to learn, reflect, and grow.
PUBLICATIONS
Source: Terrapin Bright Green
Title: 14+ Patterns of Biophilic Design: Improving Health and Well-Being in the Built Environment
Website: https://www.terrapinbrightgreen.com/report/14-patterns/
Brief description: A foundational guide outlining 15 patterns that connect human biology with design strategies to enhance well-being and performance.
Source: Terrapin Bright Green
Title: The Economics of Biophilia: Why Designing With Nature in Mind Makes Financial Sense
Website: https://www.terrapinbrightgreen.com/report/eob-2/
Brief description: This report makes a compelling business case for biophilic design, outlining how nature-integrated environments can boost productivity, reduce stress, and deliver measurable financial returns.
Source: International Living Future Institute
Title: Biophilic Design Resources
Website: https://living-future.org/biophilic-design/
Brief description: A curated hub of tools, case studies, and design strategies aligned with the Living Building Challenge to help integrate biophilic principles into regenerative building projects.
Source: Journal of Biophilic Design
Title: Journal of Biophilic Design – Magazine
Website: http://journalofbiophilicdesign.com/journal-of-biophilic-design-1
Brief description: A design-focused magazine featuring interviews, visual essays, and thought pieces that explore how biophilic principles influence architecture, art, and everyday life.
Biophilia Locus Playbook
A co-created guide I contributed to, offering regenerative approaches to biophilic design that deepen our relationships with nature, place, and each other.
Title: The Practice of Biophilic Design
Author: Stephen R. Kellert & Elizabeth F. Calabrese
Website: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321959928_The_Practice_of_Biophilic_Design
Brief description: A detailed and accessible resource that outlines the principles, benefits, and ethical imperative of biophilic design, co-authored by two leaders in the field.
PODCASTS
Source: Journal of Biophilic Design
Title: Journal of Biophilic Design – Podcast
Website: https://journalofbiophilicdesign.com/podcasts-journal-of-biophilic-design
Brief description: A podcast series featuring global voices in biophilic design—from architects to artists—sharing ideas, research, and stories that deepen our connection to nature in the built environment.
Source: Biophilic Solutions
Title: Biophilic Solutions: Nature Has the Answers
Website: https://www.biophilicsolutions.com/
Brief description: Hosted by Monica Olsen and Jennifer Walsh, this podcast explores how nature-based thinking can solve our most pressing personal and planetary challenges.
BOOKS
Title: Nature by Design: The Practice of Biophilic Design
Author: Stephen R. Kellert
Website: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Design-Practice-Biophilic/dp/0300214537
Brief description: A foundational text that explores the science, ethics, and practical application of biophilic design to create healthier, more life-affirming spaces.
Title: Nature Inside: A Biophilic Design Guide
Author: William D. Browning & Catherine O. Ryan
Website: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Inside-biophilic-design-guide/dp/1859469035
Brief description: A practical, image-rich guide that translates biophilic principles into actionable strategies for designers, architects, and planners.
Title: Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants
Author: Robin Wall Kimmerer
Website: https://www.amazon.com/Sweetgrass-Indigenous-Scientific-Knowledge-Teachings/dp/014199195X
Brief description: One of my favorite books—a poetic and powerful exploration of reciprocity between people and nature, blending Indigenous knowledge with scientific understanding.
Title: Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life
Author: Dacher Keltner
Website: https://www.amazon.com/Awe-Science-Everyday-Wonder-Transform/dp/1984879707
Brief description: A compelling exploration of the science behind awe—how this underappreciated emotion shapes our well-being, deepens connection, and expands our sense of meaning in life.
Title: The Timeless Way of Building
Author: Christopher Alexander
Website: https://www.amazon.com/Timeless-Way-Building-Christopher-Alexander/dp/0195024028
Brief description: A classic in architectural theory, this book introduces the idea of a “pattern language” in design—revealing how timeless, human-centered forms emerge from our deep relationship with place and space.
Title: An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us
Author: Ed Yong
Website: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593133250
Brief description: A fascinating journey into the sensory worlds of animals, offering insights that expand our understanding of perception and inspire more inclusive, multispecies approaches to design.
Title: Biophilia
Author: Edward O. Wilson
Website: https://www.amazon.com/Biophilia-BIOPHILIA-REV-Paperback-EdwardOsborneWilson/dp/B00QPF3Q4G
Brief description: A groundbreaking book that introduced the term “biophilia,” exploring the innate human affinity for nature and its implications for how we live, learn, and design.
WEBINARS
Elevating Wellbeing Through Biophilic Design
Sponsored by GreenHome Institute, this CEU webinar explores how biophilic design creates nurturing environments that support health, comfort, and connection.
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBAG9oOuCtc
More from GreenHome Institute: https://givebutter.com/GreenHome-Institute
