Month: November 2019 Archive

I N N O V A T I O N………Biophilic Design is more than just introducing more plants, it’s about our human need for connection to all of nature.

Inside Ageing lists some design opportunities for bringing Biophilic Design into Retirement Living:

Indirect experiences of nature, e.g.

• artistic representations of nature
• artificial sky
• virtual reality systems that mimic fish ponds
• thermal and airflow variability
• the presence of water
• lighting that mimics morning through to night

Direct visual connection to nature as well as direct access.

• Rooms that look out into well designed courtyards or gardens
• Community and lounge rooms with direct garden access.

Aromatherapy

• smells that remind you of the outdoors

Material connection to nature

• Use of natural materials such as timber and earthy colours

Actual living plants –

• Create a tangible nature connection
• They also help clean the air, many can eliminate over 95 per cent of toxins (refer NASA clean air study)

Does your project, retirement or otherwise tick any of these boxes?

The importance of Biophilic Design: fact or fiction?

A C C O U N T A B I L I T Y…. AILA (Australian Institute of Landscape Architects) have declared a ‘Climate and Biodiversity loss Emergency’ acknowledging that humanity has just 12 years to restrict global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.. So what tangible steps can our industry take to combat climate change and how can we measure our impact against such a huge issue?

Our industry as well as urban designers, architects, engineers and planners have a huge opportunity and responsibility to help create a better future. A new resource/platform called Climate Positive Design lets designers register projects on a world map to accurately measure and track greenhouse emissions as well as carbon “sinks” to target when the landscape can become not just carbon neutral but climate positive!! (Meaning they capture/sequester more greenhouse emissions than they incorporate or produce! ) And each project has a dedicated page that can be re-visited overtime and re-evaluated or shared.

We can’t wait to start tracking our projects and see the results. If you’re in the industry – take a look at the app and let us know what you think!

Pathfinder