Presented by: Tim Beatley, Judith Heerwagen, and Bert Gregory

Coined by biologist E. O. Wilson, biophilia describes the innate human tendency to be drawn to the natural world. Mounting evidence shows the physical and emotional benefits of a connection to nature; how can we ensure our built environment facilitates this connection? This session will explore the concept of biophilia and examine ways to connect our buildings with nature.

Take the Session

B03:Video Playback

Note: by clicking on this link you will be directed to Cascadia's secure server for registration and payment. Sessions are $75 for Cascadia members, and $90 for non-members. By registering and purchasing this session, you will have 60 consecutive days to view the content.

Take the Quiz  

B03:Biophilia

Note: Taking the quiz is intended for individuals seeking the Living Building Leader designation. The quiz is now comprised of 20 questions. You are entitled to take the quiz once, which requires an 80% passing score. Any score below 80% precludes the session from being counted towards your Living Building Leader designation. Please prepare accordingly.

References

Coming Soon!

Presenters

Timothy Beatley - Teresa Heinz Professor, University of Virginia

Timothy Beatley is Teresa Heinz Professor of Sustainable Communities, in the Department of Urban and Environmental Planning, School of Architecture at the University of Virginia, where he has taught for the last twenty years. Much of Beatley’s work focuses on the subject of sustainable communities, and creative strategies by which cities and towns can fundamentally reduce their ecological footprints, while at the same time becoming more livable and equitable places. His books include Green Urbanism: Learning from European Cities, and Native to Nowhere: Sustaining Home and Community in a Global Age. He recently co-authored two new books with Australian planner Peter Newman: Resilient Cities and Green Urbanism Down Under.  Beatley holds a PhD in City and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Bert Gregory - President & CEO, Mithun

As President and CEO of Mithun, Bert Gregory has led the 150-person firm to national recognition for concept-based, environmentally intelligent design. He is renowned as an expert in the development of resource-efficient structures and communities, and serves as a national leader, speaker and advocate for sustainable building and urbanism. His perspective reaches beyond traditional architecture to merge science and design -- an

interdisciplinary approach that creates lasting places for people.

With Mithun’s expansion in 2008 to a second office in San Francisco, Bert strives to expand the reach of the firm to inspire a sustainable world through integrated design. Awards include four AIA COTE Top Ten Green Projects, two ASLA national honor awards, and the AIA national honor award for regional and urban design. Bert currently serves as Vice-Chair of the USGBC LEED® Neighborhood Development core committee, and the Washington

Clean Technology Alliance steering committee.

Judith H. Heerwagen - PhD, J.H. Heerwagen & Associates, Inc.

Dr. Heerwagen is an environmental and evolutionary psychologist whose work focuses on the links between building design and human health, well being, and productivity. Prior to starting her own business, Dr. Heerwagen was a senior research scientist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and a research faculty member at the University of Washington, College of Architecture and Urban Planning.

She has lectured widely on sustainability and bio-centric design and is co-editor of the book Biophilic Design: Theory, Research and Practice, published by John Wiley in 2007. She is the author or coauthor of numerous other articles and book chapters on workplace productivity, biophilia, and habitability.

She has conducted numerous post occupancy evaluations of sustainable buildings, including the Philip Merrill Environmental Center in Annapolis, the Herman Miller Greenhouse, and Seattle City Hall.  In 2005 she was selected as an “environmental champion” by the American Society of Interior Designers.