What are we offering? Practical, hands-on workshops for businesses and individuals who want to better connect with nature, use creative skills to reduce their impact on the planet, and learn how to make happier, healthier spaces using biophilic design. Announcing a new service to add to our portfolio! After a hugely successful workshop event created in partnership with Interface for …
The Biophilic Office
There is a wealth of evidence to suggest that by incorporating Biophilic Design into our built environments, we can increase our health and wellbeing. Biophilic design acknowledges that we are instinctively connected to nature and that through exploring this connection within the spaces that we live, relax and work in, we can positively influence our physical and …
Natural Rhythm – The health and wellbeing benefit of ‘Non Rhythmic Sensory Stimuli’
Most of us spend the predominant part of our lives indoors. These spaces where we live, study, work and relax are often lacking in the natural sensory stimuli that is being shown more and more to increase our productivity, happiness and health. Evidence has begun to emerge that the inclusion of Non-Rhythmic Sensory Stimuli (NRSS) can also start to enhance …
My travel carbon footprint – planes, trains, (electric) automobiles and of course bicycles
In my world the CO2 emissions of our homes is an every present and critical issue, with 28% of the UK emissions being created by them. If you want to know more about CO2 emissions then find out more here with the Energy Saving Trust. Having spent time energy (and money!) reducing the CO2 footprint of my own home from …
Light Reflective Paint – Better, Brighter, -But How?
I recently attended a conference with Akzo Nobel, the company that owns and manufactures Dulux paints. I learnt about their extensive sustainability strategy, known as Planet Possible, and it got me thinking about the way in which I use paints and how it affects not just the look and feel of a space but also on its energy use: …
It’s Big Energy Saving Week – so take action now
Whilst this winter has been pretty stormy it has been a mild one so far — I have my suspicions that the coldest part is yet to come. So it’s the perfect time to make sure your home is warm and comfy — and to try and save money on those dreaded energy bills. Well the good news is that …
Driving down Electric Avenue – My year of electric driving
It’s coming up for a year since I started driving my extended range electric car- the sleek and futuristic Vauxhall Ampera, I’ve got to say that I don’t know if I can face going back to a conventional gas guzzler. If you haven’t had the chance to drive in an electric car – then do! The experience is initially quite …
Sustainable design trend predictions for 2014 and beyond…….
Autumn is fading into Winter and 2014 is beckoning – so what can we expect to see in our homes as eco-design whizzes round the sun once more? Without further ado, here are my key trends in sustainable design to watch out for in 2014. Thinking Smart- Materials and Technology The very fabric of our homes are set to get …
Eco homes need to get Smart – make your home Better with smart materials, products and technologies
As a designer I’m seeing a wide range of so called “Smart” products and materials that are enhancing our lives and our homes, coming onto the market – some are with us now and some are emerging technologies. Not simply the never ending stream of connected consumer electronics and IT items but also others such as materials and products – …
Say goodbye fracking, hello eco home mini biodigester
The ongoing protests against oil drilling in the West Sussex village of Balcombe have called many people to assess their view on fracking and its impact on local communities – with many concerned by the environmental impact plus the concerns about water contamination and potential earthquakes. The government meanwhile seems gripped by an “obsession” with fracking and blind to the …