ROUND TABLE REVIEW 43
ROUND TABLE CO-CHAIRS James Parker, Managing Editor, Architects’ Datafi le Oliver Heath, Director, Oliver Heath Design
ATTENDEES Jim Hart, Director, Corstorphine + Wright Architects Stuart Fraser, Partner, MAKE Architects Larry Tate, Projects & Communication Coordinator, Alliance for Sustainable Building Products Kim Dixon, Designer, OP Group Jenny Edwards, Creative Director, Oktra Richard Sabin, Director, Growing Revolution Sam Taylor, Owner, Bavian Design Lisa Norton, Lead Designer, Biophilic Designer Rokshid Ghaziani, Senior Lecturer in Architecture & Interiors, University of Portsmouth Craig Jones, Founder, Jones + Partners
SPONSORS’ ATTENDEE Dawn Scott, Senior Colour Designer, Dulux Trade
As part of the research discussed by the group, our 2022 study among architects working found that for their workplace clients, employees’ wellness was a more important factor than sustainability. The round table showed that now, the case could not be clearer for growing the use of biophilic design.
Oliver’s ecosystem
Oliver Heath could be described as a biophilic design evangelist, famous for his television work showing the transformational effect of thorough biophilic approaches on users, such as on ‘DIY SOS’ and ‘Changing Rooms.’ He set the scene for the discussion, vividly showing just how powerful designs that tap into human beings’ innate connection to nature can be in workplaces. Heath also chaired the fi rst part of the discussion, bringing in learnings from other sectors and sharing recent research from commercial projects, such as a live retrofi t where productivity had increased dramatically for a limited investment.
He explained the greater role biophilic design now plays in workplace design, after a pandemic in which many people rediscovered the healing qualities of nature. Even though it’s now seen as key for many workplace briefs, he said it was also undervalued by numerous commercial sector clients, although post-Covid employers still need to encourage staff back to offi ces. Richard Sabin of Growing Revolution went as far as to say that business owners are “paranoid about getting people back into offi ces,” but introducing the wide range of features that make up biophilic approaches is one way to truly make staff feel valued. Heath said that pre-Covid, biophilic design was “a bit of an afterthought,” and even now, it can be seen somewhat narrowly as “about putting plants in buildings,” notwithstanding this still being “a really important part.” He said that before the pandemic,
his fi rm were being asked to come in at RIBA stage 3 or 4, “where the conceptual thinking had already been done,” and biophilia was essentially being seen as a decorative overlay. However, with workers enduring lockdowns bereft of a diverse range of spaces, people “stopped and really appreciated the value of nature to our lives; its ability to alleviate some of the pressures,” said Heath. As workplaces reopened, employers looking to retain staff were forced to take their re-born sensitivity to natural benefi ts on board, and maintain that connection, said Heath. Outcomes included “focusing on different zones and spatial typologies, and breaking those down to create spaces that support functionality, focus, relaxation, recuperation and a sense of community.” This was driven by employers needing to “offer an awful lot to get them to commute; spaces giving them and their lives so much more.”
The debate – lessons from experience The fi rst part of the debate saw Oliver Heath asking delegates to share their experiences of creating biophilic workplaces. He framed the discussion by cautioning against the ‘tick box’ approach to biophilia, resting on “bought in” elements such as plants and natural materials. Instead, Heath said tangible results come from designing an interwoven ‘ecosystem’ of different factors that can deepen users’ connection to nature, bringing the maximum benefi ts. Other designers around the table included Jenny Edwards from leading workplace specialist Oktra, who initially trained as an architect but switched to interior design due to her belief she could have a greater “human impact.” We were also joined by Kim Dixon of fi tout fi rm OP Group, biophilic design specialist Lisa Norton, and Brighton-based designers Craig Jones and Sam Taylor. And bringing her substantial experience from projects and knowledge on the underappreciated role of colour in nature-inspired workplaces, was Dawn Scott, Senior Colour Designer from round table sponsor, Dulux Trade. We also had renowned living walls innovator Richard Sabin from Growing Revolution (and ex-founder of pioneering green walls fi rm Biotechture), and Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Interiors
A ROUND ROOM FOR A ROUND TABLE
The venue for the discussion – Projects Nile House in Brighton – embodied the ideals of a wellness-supporting workspace
ADF APRIL/MAY 2026
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