The Magic Was in the People
Reflections on the Biophilic Design Conference:
The Biophilic Design Conference this year was… a lot. A lot of insights, a lot of learning, a lot of brilliant speakers, and yes — a lot of running around behind the scenes. But if I’m honest, none of that is what made the event truly memorable.
What made it special was the people.
The energy in the hall, the curiosity, the generosity, the willingness to connect — that’s what turned a good event into an unforgettable one. And funnily enough, this is exactly what our exhibitors kept telling us.
Take Botanical Boys. They didn’t just show how terrariums can bring a pocket of nature into any space — they turned their stand into a mini sanctuary. And, as if that wasn’t enough, they brought along some South African wine. That combination of nature, craftsmanship, and storytelling? Magic.
Then there was Nook Pods, who might have unintentionally become our “confessionals.” People stepped inside and suddenly conversations deepened. It’s incredible what can happen when you create a safe, human-scaled space — real dialogue appears.
Chris Bellamy took us in another direction entirely, transporting us into the Pacific Ocean through his innovative, ocean-inspired materials. His work is a reminder that biophilic design is not decoration — it’s relationship, respect, and responsibility.
The School of Biophilia grounded us beautifully, reminding everyone that if we want to reshape the future, we must start young. Children with muddy hands today become adults who understand ecosystems instinctively tomorrow.
We also met Viv, a new agency blending creativity and nature in ways that feel genuinely fresh. And on the tech side, Clb-studio showed us how immersive experiences can help explain the impact of biophilic design. Their VR “before and after” was a hit — seeing biophilia implemented, not just talked about, is a game changer.
RCZM brought another layer of depth, sharing her inspiring school projects — the kind of work that proves biophilic principles don’t belong in the “nice to have” box but in every child’s daily life.
And I can’t skip Golden Earth Studio. I’m always a bit awestruck by what they do: transforming clay from the foundations of buildings into pieces of art. There’s something profoundly circular and grounded about that.
And finally, IndiRugs — perhaps unexpected to some, but absolutely fitting. Their sustainable and ethical production process and creativity make them a strong ally in moving design toward healthier and more ethical practices.
The hall was packed from start to finish: chatter, laughter, questions, new ideas bouncing from one corner to another. In between deeply formative sessions, there was this constant hum of positive energy — people genuinely wanting to build better together.
To give you a sense of the atmosphere, here are a few things we overheard throughout the day:
“I’ve never had so many meaningful conversations at a design event — the room was packed with energy”
— Attendee
“Finally able to have conversations with so many like minded people ready to take the next step.”
— Designer
“I’m leaving buzzing with ideas… and with great connections .”
— Architect
And from our exhibitors:
“We met the right people — not just a crowd. That makes all the difference.”
“Conversations were deep , people were genuinely engaged."
This is why community matters.
This is why biophilic design isn’t just a trend — it’s a movement shaped by people who care.