Consider the following scenario at 6:30 A.M. on a Tuesday: I was trying to soak up about three inches of water on the floor of the executive conference room while simultaneously rescuing 16 very unhappy plants from drowning. This came as a result of my brilliant idea of convincing the CEO that a smart irrigation living wall would revolutionize how the team experiences meetings. Looks like the system turned out to be stupider than I thought. A software glitch had reprogrammed our delicately curated misting system into something that looked like an out of control fire sprinkler.
The exquisite piece of engineering that accompanied the change I had made as part of the office’s deep biophilic makeover and zestful living wall installation. This is now only a fantasy as I watch my career circle the drain. On the other hand, countless people claim that I spend forever trying to do nothing which only digs my grave deeper. Thanks a lot Dave. I’m defining follies here at design conferences. The 9 A.M. board meeting is canceled looking at the state of the room. Boundless possibilities await me.
To be honest, however, this disaster — that we were somehow able to clean before the board arrived, even though I aged five years that morning— was more of a case study for the amalgamation of technology and biophilic design than any workshop could offer, and taught me far more https://issuu.com/wochenzeitung/docs/events-ocean-skateboard-festival-2023“I’m kidding –sort of.”or conference within my reach. It instilled in me the understanding that the most esthetically pleasing and tech-enhanced biophilic elements are utterly useless if they don’t, you know, function.
My obsession regarding biophilic design and sustainable technology began when I visited a stunning office building in Seattle that was wholly heated and cooled by a combination of green walls, active water features, and what I can only assume was some sophisticated sensing technology. The building breathed–honestly it did, while consuming 70% less energy than these spaces occupied: I am ever since. So yes, I am chasing that profound experience.
Here’s the thing, on the verge of appreciating these technologies and actually implementing them, the path is anything but smooth sailing — or misting, as my conference room incident demonstrated.
My friend Nina, a smart systems engineer, always says, “Any sufficiently advanced technology should feel like magic, but work like science.” That is exactly the problem when blending sustainable technologies into biophilic systems design. We want these systems to appear effortless and organic, when in fact they are incredibly advanced technologies. Finding that balance is challenging, and the water ends up all over the conference room floor.
But when it works—and god, when it works, there is nothing better. Like this project we did last year for a tech start-up that was based in Northeast Portland. We added these electrochromic windows that focus on the interior temperature and the amount of sunlight they receive, so they automatically change their color to suit the conditions. They’re basically smart windows, right? But there are no obvious indicators such as switches, panels or any pieces of technology. Throughout the day, the glass gradually shifts from clear to tinted with the proverbial golden air torres, allowing maximum radiation while almost completely halting the use of air conditioning.
The CEO was this very analytical guy, Marcus, who was super skeptical to begin with. During the pitch, I remember him saying, “So I’m spending an extra $40K on windows that… change color?”, as we try to explain our idea. But, six months after our installation, he sent me an email with energy data. They showed a 34% reduction in cooling costs during summer months. On top of that, employee satisfaction scores surrounding workplace comfort increased by 27%. The technology was inefficient, but the results were remarkable.
Now, in every other project, that is the perfect fusion of nature and technology I strive to achieve; the point where the two blend so perfectly that it is impossible to identify where one begins and the other ends.
Of course, trying to reach that goal requires a lot of trial and error, and sometimes… failure. How about we discuss my living wall disaster? I’m mostly over it by the way.
One of the most significant changes in my approach to biophilic design stems from adaptive lighting, which happens to be one of my favorite technologies. I mean systems that are not restricted to just dimming lights; they fully mimic the patterns of natural sunlight by altering the color temperature throughout the day. Since the beginning of time, human beings evolved based on a sunrise to sunset cycle, and our bodily circadian rhythms continue to respond to these light changes, whether we are conscious of it or not.
The very first time I encountered sophisticated adaptive lighting was when it was installed in my home. I recently suffered from terrible insomnia, as in, I can’t seem to fall asleep until 3 AM and I’m scrolling through my Instagram feed insomnia. It does not help that I am a late night person. My doctor suggested that I may have sleep related problems due to blue light exposure. Instead of getting the dorky orange glasses, I decided to do a complete overhaul and put Ketra systems throughout my main living areas. It definitely was not cheap; my partner nearly had a heart attack when I showed him the quote. But, I have to say, what a difference.
The lights shift from blue-white to warm amber which activates at our precise location. Shifting with the physiological time is key. There is no need to be pumping excessive amounts of light during evenings and mornings. After having ketra installed, I can proudly say that I am sleeping better than I had in years. My experience has changed how I approach lighting in design projects. I am more cautious now.
This week we were able to complete an office redesign by incorporating this technology. One of the main features includes occupancy sensors, and detectors that respond to sunlight coming in. With all of the changes, the system is capable to monitor real time sunlight coming in from the windows. Not only does it adjust with time, but also real time data of how active an area is. Not having employees in workspaces also saves energy for the company. The employee comments blew me apart.
“I no longer experience the 2 PM headache anymore,” a team member shared with me during the post occupancy evaluation. Another person remarked, “This is going to sound really strange, but the office feels like it’s alive now.” That’s precisely what we are after—spaces that feel alive because they are responsive, adaptive, and in sync with natural rhythms.
Another biophilic smart technology that continues to make an impact is water management. I became a little obsessed with getting irrigation right after The Great Conference Room Flood of 2022 (which is the unofficial joke at the firm now). It’s not that I became completely consumed with the idea of achieving the perfect irrigation system, but rather, spent three months researching moisture sensors, studying irrigation needs of different plants, and basically becoming the office water nerd.
The system we’ve developed uses algorithms tailored for specific plants in conjunction with soil moisture sensors, weather data, and plant specific algorithms to deliver water at the right time and amount. We’ve installed it in everything from small office plant displays to massive green walls, and it now reduces water consumption by an average of 43% compared to traditional irrigation systems.
My absolute favorite applications remains to be the one from Leila, a residential client who is perpetually traveling for work and wished to have an indoor garden within her condo located downtown. I made what I love to refer to as her ‘set it and forget it’ paradise—37 plant species flourishing due to targeted irrigation mechanisms fine-tuned to each plant’s necessities, the prevailing conditions, and Leila’s personal timetable. While on the road, she can check on her plants using an app, but truthfully speaking, the system does not require her input at any point.
“For the first time in my life, I haven’t killed a plant,” she texted from some undisclosed location in Japan. “It’s like having pets that don’t make me feel guilty.”
Over the years, I’ve observed one of the most exciting yet underrated sustainable tech in biophilic design to be the use of thermal mass. This isn’t exactly new technology—it’s wisdom from much older times updated with contemporary materials and monitoring systems. The core idea stems from the use of dense materials like concrete, stone or water that hoard heat when it’s warm and release it when it gets cool.
We recently finished constructing a community center that features a striking interior water element (biophilic feature: check) integrated with a complex thermal mass system. The water feature cools the interior space during the day and helps maintain warmth during the night. Sensors placed throughout the building continually monitor the temperature, regulating the water’s movement and exposure to maximize the thermal exchange.
The most striking aspect of this approach is the technology used improves something that is already central to the biophilic experience. Visitors only experience a stunning waterfall and its soothing sounds. They have no clue that the water feature is also one of the key components of the building’s HVAC system. That is the intersection of biophilic tech integration—when the technology is camouflaged within nature.
There is now further advancement of integration of solar technology, which is an addition to the already existing advancements in several fields of technology in recent years. We no longer are putting some thin and unsightly solar panels on top of a building’s roof. In a recent collaboration with an architectural firm (a “learned” firm, right?), we placed film solar panels on the glazing of a huge set of skylights. From the building’s interior, it appears to be etched glass capturing light and illuminating their studio area. But it’s enough to power all their computers and task lighting.
The firm’s older partner, who admitted to being resistant to sight solar technology, spoke during a post-installation meeting: “I was expecting to hate how it looked, but I can’t even tell the difference from regular glass.” To have someone say that, in my opinion, is one of the greatest praises: that the solar technology is felt more in its functionality than in its form.
Naturally, not every instance of biophilic technology integration has to be inconspicuous or subtle. Sometimes, the more effective strategy is to design the technology itself to be pleasing to the eye and a part of the biophilic experience. For instance, I remember visiting this incredible project in Vancouver, BC, a year back, where they have kinetic wind sculptures mounted on the building which not only harness power but offer these captivating, perpetually evolving displays that imitate natural movements. It’s technology as art, energy source, and biophilic element all rolled into one. That level of multifunctional integration is where I see the industry heading.
Heck, I can get super enthusiastic about this (and often do, to the chagrin of anyone who needs to be lured into a conversation about what I do at social events). But the core philosophy I came up with after dozens of tries has quite literally been boiled down to: the best biophilic technology does not remove us from elements of nature, it replaces them. It is pleasant when not noticed, and works in the background. In the ideal scenario, it enhances and optimizes the wellbeing of the occupants and the building itself along with making them healthier and more resilient.
Additionally, if you plan to put in an advanced irrigation system in the executive conference room, you may want to consider a water sensor connected to an automatic shutoff valve. Just take my advice here.
