The design industry is changing. Today’s clients want more than beautiful and functional spaces; they expect sustainable environments that actively promote health and wellness. That’s why biophilic design for architects and interior designers has become a core strategy for shaping the spaces of the future.
By connecting people with nature through light, materials, greenery, and living systems, professionals can transform how people experience the built environment. As Stephen Kellert, a pioneer in the field, noted, humans have an innate need to connect with nature, and design plays a critical role in fulfilling that need (Kellert, Heerwagen, & Mador, 2008). For professionals looking to stay ahead, integrating biophilic design into projects isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential.
What is Biophilic Design? A Guide for Design Professionals
Beyond a Trend: The Future of Biophilic Design
Why Biophilic Design Matters: Benefits for Architects & Interior Designers
Biophilic Design Ideas & Real World Applications
The Imperative for Professional Development: CEU Courses
Biophilic Design is The Future of The Built Environment
Biophilic design is the practice of intentionally connecting people with nature within built environments to improve human well-being, productivity, and sustainability. It represents a fundamental shift in architecture and design, utilizing natural light, materials, plants, and natural patterns to foster a stronger connection between humans and nature.
Rooted in humanity's innate biological connection to nature, biophilia suggests that our health and mental wellness suffer from the profound disconnection brought about by urbanization and industrialization. Today, with the average person spending up to 90% of their time indoors, understanding and implementing biophilic design is crucial for architects and interior designers to create spaces that support human well-being, productivity, and sustainability (Architizer)
Terrapin Bright Green’s “14 Patterns of Biophilic Design” (2014) provides a framework that includes:
These elements are more than aesthetic choices. Research published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology shows that environments designed with natural features improve focus, reduce stress, and increase overall well-being.
Beyond being a trend, biophilic design is grounded in evidence that proves its positive impact on human health. The movement is currently at a "tipping point," transforming cities, homes, and workplaces globally (Global Wellness Summit). This surging demand is driven by a heightened awareness of nature's value, making biophilic design a necessity, not a luxury.
Design directly impacts the people who use a space. A landmark study by Roger Ulrich (1984) found that hospital patients recovered faster and required less pain medication when they had a view of trees. More recently, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health confirmed that green, healthy buildings improve cognitive function and reduce stress.
Together, these approaches create environments that feel restorative and uplifting.
Biophilic design is closely tied to sustainable design strategies. Incorporating natural light, plants, and greenwalls supports certifications like LEED (U.S. Green Building Council) and the WELL Building Standard (International WELL Building Institute). These frameworks recognize the value of natural elements in creating healthier, more sustainable spaces.
For architects, this means designing buildings that perform better environmentally.
For interior designers, it means specifying finishes, furnishings, and green features that align with sustainability and wellness goals.
From luxury homes to corporate offices and senior living communities, clients increasingly expect green design ideas and plant design ideas. Developers and businesses view biophilic features as investments in both well-being and property value. For both architects and interior designers, fluency in biophilic design is crucial for meeting these evolving expectations and standing out in competitive markets.
Biophilic design applies across industries and at multiple scales, from building-wide features to interior finishes. Here are some real-world biophilic design ideas:
Corporate Offices: Living greenwalls and daylighting strategies enhance productivity and employee well-being (Harvard T.H. Chan School research).
Healthcare Facilities: Greenwall systems and natural light create restorative spaces, echoing Ulrich’s findings on healing environments.
Senior Living Communities: Moss walls and natural textures foster a sense of calm and belonging (Journal of Environmental Psychology).
Hospitality Spaces: Hotels use dramatic living plant wall installations as Instagram-worthy focal points that delight guests.
Luxury Residences: Homeowners are requesting nature-inspired features not only for relaxation but also for added resale value, as highlighted by publications like Dezeen and Architectural Digest.
These examples prove that biophilic design isn’t theoretical; it’s actively shaping spaces today.
As the demand for biophilic and sustainable design solutions continues to grow, staying current with continuing education for architects and designers is critical. Insights from professionals show a strong desire for deeper, hands-on knowledge in areas such as technical design and installation of greenwalls, plant selection, and understanding sustainability certifications.
Learning about biophilic design through accredited AIA CEU and IDCEC CEU courses equips professionals with the expertise to transform ambitious visions into high-performing, sustainable realities. This not only fulfills licensure requirements but also provides the skills needed for confident specification and seamless integration.
For architects and interior designers, fluency in biophilic design is crucial for meeting these evolving expectations, differentiating their portfolios, strengthening proposals, and standing out in a competitive market.
For design professionals, biophilic design is more than a client request; it’s a pathway to innovation.
For both architects and designers, staying current with continuing education is critical. CEU courses help maintain licensure while building in-demand expertise.
GrowUp Greenwalls offers AIA and IDCEC-accredited CEU courses designed for professionals who want to:
Whether you’re an architect focused on structural integration or a designer curating interiors, CEU training ensures you can confidently incorporate biophilia into your projects.
By investing a few hours in professional development, you’ll not only fulfill CEU requirements—you’ll also gain strategies that enhance your work and elevate client outcomes.
Biophilic design is no longer optional; it’s an essential part of creating healthier, more sustainable, and inspiring spaces. For architects and interior designers alike, learning how to integrate natural systems into the built environment is both a professional responsibility and a competitive advantage. With the right training, you can stay ahead of client demands, meet CEU requirements, and lead the industry toward a greener future.
Explore GrowUp’s accredited CEU courses today and start elevating your practice through biophilic design.
All courses are accredited by AIA, IDCEC (CIDQ, IDC, IIDA, ASID), BOMI, IWBI, & GBCI.