May 19, 2015
According to the Institute for Building Efficiency, over 50% of the buildings that will still be in use by 2050 have already been built; and close to ¾ of these buildings are over 20 years old, before the principles of biophilic design were well understood, let alone widely applied. On a similar note, the European…
May 11, 2015
Wander through a major hospital in any modern city and a single visual element is likely to dominate the space: nature art is everywhere! Nature art: Images as representative symbols It’s been over 30 years since Roger Ulrich’s trailblazing study on the effect of window views to nature on patient recovery. His seminal finding that…
April 30, 2015
With a brief to introduce the most innovative and interactive features ever before seen in Korea, the Lotte World Mall development by Benoy Architecture, Planning, Interiors and Graphics in collaboration with Interface, have crafted the world’s first interactive flooring. Billed as “one of the most anticipated and talked about developments in Korea,” Benoy’s associate director,…
April 22, 2015
What’s hot in green building right now? No, global warming isn’t hot, despite growing alarm about extreme weather events. What’s hot is health. Specifically anything related to the potential health impacts of building products. The rise of the WELL Building Standard and the addition of a day-long Materials and Human Health Summit to Greenbuild provide…
April 20, 2015
We are all familiar with the term ‘Sick Building Syndrome’ as a term that is bandied around to imply an unhealthy environment to be in. But what makes a building ‘sick’? And what are its effects? Sick Building Syndrome affects the well-being of those who spend time within it. The symptomatic effects are a sore…
April 17, 2015
It is almost impossible to discuss biophilic design in healthcare without mentioning this 1981 seminal study on recovery times during post operative care after gall bladder surgery by professor Roger Ulrich of Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. This fascinating study investigates whether a view out to nature from their room had any effect on…
April 17, 2015
Who said you can’t make a huge impact in a small space? In downtown Akron, Ohio, “The Rubber Capitol of the World,” sits the former 1871 B.F. Goodrich complex and what is left of the once booming manufacturing facility. Within the remaining buildings is the headquarters of GPD Group, an interdisciplinary architecture and engineering firm…
April 7, 2015
Did you know, that compared to 1980, we cram in an extra 4.4 hours per day of information consumption outside of work? Think about it. How much time do you spend on your computer or smartphone “Googling” or checking up on one of your favorite friends or actors on Facebook? Our brain is actually wired…
March 27, 2015
Places we naturally love turn out to be good for us! We can now scientifically verify the physiological viability of our designs, by measuring pulse rate, blood pressure, heart rate variability (HRV), electro-dermal response, hormonal & adrenal response, brain wave activity, eye movements & muscle tension. Biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology & neuroscience have begun…
March 23, 2015
Like a number of big tech companies, Google is growing fast. In the past they have acquired/hired existing buildings, but recently they have presented their vision for great office spaces, which they will build from scratch. “The idea is simple. Instead of constructing immoveable concrete buildings, we’ll create lightweight block-like structures which can be moved…
With a passion for design and learning, Mindy O’Gara blends both of these talents into her daily role as Director of Product and Learning Experience at Interface.
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Skye Witherspoon 
Bill Witherspoon 
Interface 
Mikhail Davis 
Oliver Heath 
Kimberly Miller 
Dr. Eva Selhub 
Helena van Vliet 
Marnix Van de Veen