This e-newsletter brings you the latest information and resources on biophilic design, the industry, and GPGB updates. 

Credits: Huberman Lab

Watch the Huberman Lab Podcast with guest speaker, Dr. Marc Berman, PhD⁠, a professor of psychology at the University of Chicago whose research explores how different physical environments—particularly nature and patterns found in nature—can positively impact our ability to focus, our cognitive performance and our mental and physical health. They discuss how our physical environment influences our attention, stress levels and brain and heart health. He explains how even brief periods in nature and exposure to natural images and sounds can restore and improve attentional capacity, reduce mental fatigue and help combat rumination and depression. Whether you live in a city, suburb or rural area, this episode offers simple science-backed strategies for incorporating nature and natural elements into your daily life to positively transform your cognitive ability and mental and physical health.

Credits: NBBJ

As our planet heats up, rising temperatures are taking a toll not just on physical health and infrastructure—but also on cognitive function and mental well-being. Neuroscience reveals that heat impairs memory, decision-making, attention, and emotional regulation, while exacerbating aggression, mood disturbances, and symptoms of neurodegenerative and psychiatric conditions.

Recognizing this link, architects and designers—including those at NBBJ—are beginning to embrace neuroscience-based strategies aimed at mitigating heat’s cognitive effects indoors:

• Optimized thermal comfort zones: Designing spaces with controlled microclimates—cooler interiors with natural ventilation, shading, and thermal diffusion—to sustain optimal brain function.

• Biophilic materials and greenery: Integrating plant life, greenery, and natural textures that deliver psychological cooling effects and help regulate stress responses.

• Sensory rest spots: Creating zones for short restoration—quiet, cooler refuges featuring soothing colors, nature visuals, and scents to support cognitive recovery during high-heat stress.

These strategies align with GPGB’s mission: promoting healthier environments for both people and buildings through plant integration—especially as our world warms. As such, neuroscience-informed design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a functional necessity for wellness and resilience.

At the recent AIA Conference on Architecture & Design, Shane Pliska, President of Planterra Conservatory/Planterra Corporation, presented “Living Light: Integrating Plant-Friendly Lighting into Architectural Spaces.” Drawing from the acclaimed Planterra Lighting Guide, Shane shared practical strategies for creating environments where plants and people thrive together. Sponsored by Sunlite Science and Technology, Inc., the session highlighted how thoughtful lighting design supports biophilic spaces and advances GPGB’s mission of connecting people with nature indoors.

Credits: Global Leadership Summit

The Global Leadership Summit delivered two days of powerful insights from world-class speakers. Key themes included:

• Craig Groeschel – Lasting impact comes from consistent, faithful small decisions over time.

• Juliet Funt – Minimize distractions and noise to focus on high-value work.

• Erica Dhawan – Build a better “normal” through digital body language and trust.

• Coach Nick Saban – Champions are built through self-assessment, discipline, and mission buy-in.

• Thasunda Brown Duckett – Live intentionally, like a diversified portfolio, and pursue excellence.

• David Ashcraft – Comparison breeds self-doubt; embrace your unique gifts.

• Tasha Eurich – True resilience requires confidence, agency, and connection.

• Bradley Rapier – “Jump in the circle”—be bold, creative, and unafraid to fail.

• John C. Maxwell – Lead with purpose (compass), daily action (clock), and community (companions).

The Summit encouraged attendees to reflect, re-energize, and return with renewed purpose in leadership and life.

IFMA World Workplace 2025
September 17–19, 2025 | Minneapolis, MN
The premier gathering for facility management professionals, featuring innovation in workplace strategy, sustainability, and leadership. A strong platform for advancing biophilic workplace solutions.

EILO 2025 – European Interior Landscaping Organization
September 25–26, 2025 | Madrid, Spain
Join EILO in vibrant Madrid for two days of connection, learning, and inspiration. This year’s event unveils a refreshed Best Project Award with new categories, including recognition for projects thriving five years after installation. Expect expert-led sessions, innovative project showcases, and networking with interiorscape leaders from across Europe.

CoreNet Global Summit EMEA
September 8–10, 2025 | Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Corporate real estate leaders gather to reimagine workspaces, optimize portfolios, and drive sustainability—topics where plant-forward design has growing impact.

ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture 2025
October 10–13, 2025 | New Orleans, LA
A must-attend event for landscape architects. Explore the intersection of outdoor and indoor design, green infrastructure, and planting-led sustainability.

CoreNet Global Summit North America
October 27–29, 2025 | Anaheim, CA
CRE professionals focus on the future of workplace and real estate strategy—an ideal venue to highlight how plants enhance performance, wellness, and value.

Greenbuild International Conference & Expo 2025
November 4–7, 2025 | Los Angeles, CA
The world’s largest green building event. With themes of sustainability, resilience, LEED, and wellness, it is a premier stage for biophilic design and plant integration.

✨ Why it matters: These allied events connect professionals across facility management, design, corporate real estate, and green building. They offer opportunities to showcase the value of plants in the built environment, exchange ideas, and build partnerships that advance nature-connected design.

Stay Connected & Inspired

Each month, Green Plants for Green Buildings (GPGB) brings our community together for Monthly Supporter Open Forum Calls—a space designed for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and fresh ideas to grow the interiorscape industry.

These open forums are more than conversations—they’re opportunities to connect with peers, exchange real-world insights, and discover new strategies to strengthen your business.

✨ Recent Forum Topics Included:

• Innovation – exploring creative solutions shaping the future of interiorscapes

• Technology – tools and trends that streamline operations and enhance plant care

• Lease vs. Purchase Pricing Strategies – practical insights on structuring client agreements for long-term success

• Strategic Planning – frameworks for growth, productivity, and resilience

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just beginning your journey, GPGB’s open forums provide direct access to the collective experience of industry leaders and peers.

 Why Join?

• Collaborate with fellow professionals facing similar challenges

• Gain insights from diverse perspectives across the industry

• Stay current with trends that impact both your business and the larger green building movement

Don’t miss the next call—your seat at the table is waiting! Every last Wednesday of the month at 12pm EST.

Not a supporter yet? Join today!

Join the Movement: Volunteer with GPGB

At Green Plants for Green Buildings (GPGB), our impact is powered by dedicated volunteers who share a passion for bringing nature into the built environment. From advancing biophilic design to expanding education and outreach, serving on a GPGB committee—or even the board—offers a chance to make a real difference while expanding your own skills and network.

We’re inviting committed individuals to step into a two-year volunteer term, helping drive our mission of healthier, more sustainable spaces where people and plants thrive. Volunteers enjoy access to exclusive tools, educational resources, and a dynamic community at the forefront of the architecture and design industry.

✨ Current Opportunities:

• Marketing & Communications

• Supporter Development

• Education & Professional Development

Every committee aligns with GPGB’s Strategic Plan, ensuring your time and talent make a lasting, focused impact.

 Ready to grow your influence and career? Join a GPGB committee today—and help us shape the future of green building together!

Thank You for Fueling the Movement!

At GPGB, our mission to create greener, healthier built environments is only possible because of you—our passionate community of supporters. Your involvement is redefining the role of plants in commercial spaces and elevating the impact of biophilic design.

We’re grateful to have you with us on this journey. Together, we’re reconnecting people with nature in the spaces where they live, work, and gather.

 Want to get involved?
Show us biophilia in action! Share your 15–30 second videos, reels, stories, or shorts highlighting plants in the built environment here , and your content could be featured on GPGB’s social media.

Discover Interiorscape Experts with GPGB

Creating healthier, more sustainable indoor spaces starts with the right expertise. GPGB’s Provider Directory connects you with certified interiorscaping professionals who excel in biophilic design.

These specialists go beyond decoration—they design plant-focused environments that improve air quality, support well-being, and reflect your organization’s values. From eco-conscious installations and customized plant solutions to ongoing maintenance, our directory links you to professionals who deliver meaningful, lasting impact.

☑️ Bring the benefits of nature indoors with GPGB—beautifully, effectively, and sustainably.

Credit: Interior Design Magazine
Photography: Eric Laignel

Inside Macquarie Group’s NYC Headquarters
Macquarie Group’s 260,000‑sq‑ft Americas HQ reimagines the workplace as a human-centered, collaborative city. Designed by Architecture Plus Information, the office features a diagonal “Avenue” stair connecting seven floors, open workstations along perimeter windows, and terraces that blend indoor and outdoor spaces. Thoughtful pops of color, sustainable materials, and a layout inspired by Manhattan’s grid foster connection, productivity, and well-being—bringing the spirit of NYC to every corner.

Design: David Brenner
Installation: Habitat Horticulture
Client: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Developer: Hines
Architect: IAARCHITECTS
General Contractor: Turner Construction Company
Photography: Garry Belinsky

For the renovation of the Environmental Protection Agency’s San Francisco lobby and café, Habitat Horticulture created two living walls that embody the agency’s mission to protect the natural world. In the lobby, an organic composition of greens and blues—featuring Polypodium aureum (blue fern) and the airy foliage of Asparagus plumosa—evokes a scene lifted from nature. The café wall offers a vibrant progression, with the warm tones of Philodendron ‘Orange Prince’ and the striking red-veined leaves of Fittonia verschaffeltii ‘Red Star’. Together, the walls soften cool interior tones, complement warm wood accents, and infuse daily life with a restorative connection to nature.

Want to Help Keep Nature in the News?

Everything we accomplish happens because people like you are stepping forward and supporting GPGB’s focus on having conversations with the building professionals who can #BringNatureIndoors.

If the spirit moves you, please consider supporting our work by making a donation.