Biophilic Design: The Stories of the Pioneers of the Social Movement

Abstract

Biophilic design qualifies as a social movement as it was driven by a group of people with a shared vision and passion to achieve common goals. The emergence of biophilic design was timely, the need was there plus the supporting research literature. A journey throughout North America was undertaken to investigate and understand how and why biophilic initiatives had occurred. Thirty biophilic design pioneers were interviewed and their stories written. Stories can be rich in information and insights, and through these the motivators and drivers of the biophilic design movement are exposed. The interview stories are also about passion and intuitive knowing, about local champions and how the right timing can lead to significant, and change-making, outcomes. The interviews also reveal strategies, policies and ideas to initiate and progress biophilic urbanism.