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

Credits: Trinity Consultants
Madeline Didier, WELL AP
Photo Credits: Green Oasis

This article highlights an often-overlooked truth in sustainable design: biophilic environments should sound as good as they look. As standards like LEED, WELL, and the Living Building Challenge increasingly focus on human well-being, design teams are paying closer attention to light, air, materials, and views—but acoustics frequently gets left behind, even though it strongly shapes comfort, calm, focus, and a sense of refuge indoors.

The article explains how early biophilic decisions can directly impact acoustic performance. Glazing supports daylight and connection to nature, but can increase echo and reduce sound isolation. Mass timber feels warm and natural, yet can introduce resonance and make sound control more challenging—especially when teams want to keep ceilings exposed. Open plans improve flow and daylight but allow noise to travel, sometimes undermining the restorative qualities biophilic design aims to create. Even water features, while calming, add sound—though in the right context they can provide beneficial natural sound masking.

To support acoustic well-being, the author describes three key priorities: room acoustics (how sound behaves within a space), sound isolation (how sound moves between spaces), and noise control (from mechanical systems or outside sources). Rather than treating acoustics as a checklist item for certification credits, the piece encourages teams to integrate acoustic strategies into biophilic goals—using both direct nature elements (like absorptive plant walls or water soundscapes) and indirect nature-inspired materials and forms (such as sculptural baffles, textured surfaces, wood grille systems, and organic-patterned panels).

Real-world examples—from Buddy Holly Hall in Texas to Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania—show how acoustic design can enhance sense of place and tranquility when developed alongside architectural intent. The takeaway: designing for well-being means designing for the whole sensory experience, and acoustics should be part of biophilic design from the very beginning.

Credits: Interview with Dr. Jason Hartke (IWBI) by Dr. Ayad Al-Attar. Data and insights from IWBI, McKinsey Health Institute, Global Wellness Institute, Harvard, MIT, and the University of Cambridge. International Filtration News – Issue 1, 2026

In an exclusive interview, Dr. Jason Hartke, Executive Vice President of Global Advocacy at the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), outlines why healthy buildings represent one of the most significant public-health and economic opportunities of our time.

Dr. Hartke is a leading force behind the WELL Building Standard, a globally recognized framework that translates health science into measurable, actionable building strategies. WELL focuses on how indoor environments impact human health—from air and water quality to lighting, thermal comfort, movement, and mental well-being—using rigorous, third-party verification to ensure real outcomes.

Research shows WELL-certified buildings deliver tangible benefits, including higher occupant satisfaction, improved well-being, increased productivity, and stronger mental health outcomes. Independent studies also demonstrate clear economic value: WELL buildings command rent premiums, improve talent retention, and enhance organizational performance.

At a global scale, the opportunity is immense. Wellness real estate has more than doubled since 2019, and WELL is now applied across billions of square feet in over 130 countries, including nearly 20% of the Fortune 500. Yet Dr. Hartke emphasizes that health is not a destination but a journey—requiring ongoing monitoring, recertification, and occupant feedback.

A central theme of the discussion is Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), which Dr. Hartke calls the most overlooked public-health opportunity. With people spending nearly 90% of their time indoors—and indoor air often far more polluted than outdoor air—strategies such as air quality monitoring, ventilation, and filtration are critical, especially during wildfire events and in high-pollution regions.

To accelerate progress, IWBI has launched the Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air, bringing together leaders from science, public health, policy, and industry to elevate IAQ as a global priority and develop a unified Framework for Action.

Dr. Hartke concludes that healthy buildings are no longer a “nice-to-have,” but a market and societal expectation. With the WELL framework already in place, the question now is whether industry, policymakers, and communities are ready to fully embrace it.

Join Jean-Pierre Sijmons of ASI for a sneak peek of GPGB’s CEU exploring the use of advanced living wall systems in the built environment. This session from AIA25 provides an overview of living walls used both indoors and outdoors, with examples spanning a range of climates and project types.

Through selected case studies, viewers gain insight into system options, design considerations, and performance factors that influence successful living wall integration.

Ideal for architects, designers, and building professionals seeking practical guidance on incorporating living walls into their projects.

As part of GPGB’s quarterly webinar series, the October 2025 session SEO 101: Building the Foundation for Online Visibility provided interior plantscape professionals with a practical introduction to search engine optimization and its role in long-term business growth.

Hosted by Essential Source Marketing (ESM), the only marketing partner exclusively dedicated to the interior landscaping industry, the webinar explored how SEO works, why it matters, and how businesses can build a strong digital foundation to improve online visibility and generate consistent leads.

Speakers April Graham Frank, Founder and Strategy Director at ESM, and Emily Campbell, SEO Director, shared industry-specific insights drawn from decades of interiorscape experience and proven SEO strategies used to help companies compete in crowded markets. Attendees gained a clearer understanding of how strategic branding, high-performing websites, and targeted SEO work together to support sustainable growth.

The recorded webinar is now available for those looking to strengthen their digital presence with practical, industry-focused guidance.

Thursday, January 22 @ 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm-Room 303B
Join the National Horticulture Foundation (NHF) and Green Plants for Green Buildings (GPGB) for a live open forum at The Tropical Plant International Expo 2026 to explore strategies for growing a profitable interiorscape business. Connect with industry leaders and suppliers, share insights, and learn actionable approaches to elevate your plant-based services.

At GPGB, we know innovation blooms when the community comes together. Our Monthly Supporter Open Forums provide a dynamic space to exchange experiences, uncover new strategies, and explore the latest innovations shaping the interiorscape industry.

These aren’t just conversations—they’re a chance to learn from peers and industry leaders who know the unique challenges and opportunities of working with plants in the built environment.

Who Should Attend?

• Interiorscape professionals
• Foliage growers
• Industry suppliers
• Those supporting industry growth and profitability

Why Participate?

• Collaborate with fellow interiorscape professionals tackling similar challenges
• Discover practical solutions and creative ideas you can apply immediately
• Stay informed on trends driving interiorscape and green building design
• Explore growth strategies with foliage growers and industry suppliers

Visiting TPIE?

Stop by GPGB at Booth #107:
Wednesday, January 21st-Friday, January 23rd-Learn how GPGB is advancing healthier, more sustainable built environments through education, partnerships, and industry leadership. We’d love to share how becoming a GPGB supporter can help elevate your organization—through national promotion, monthly Supporter Open Forums, and opportunities like our Registered Trainer program, which enables trainers to offer CEU-approved education. Come say hello and explore ways to get involved!

Featured TPIE Sessions by GPGB Supporters & Directors:
Wednesday, January 21st, 1pm-Heather Ruiz, Natura-“Building A Thriving Organizational Culture: A Swap Shop Experience”

Wednesday, January 21st, 3pm-Vicky Cates, National Interiorscape Network-“Mastering the Essentials: Watering, Wellness, and Long-Term Plant Care”

Thursday, January 22nd, 9am-Rebecca Bullene, Greenery NYC-“Living Architecture: Designing, Installing, and Maintaining Enduring Interior Landscapes”

Thursday, January 22nd, 11am-Shane Pliska, Planterra-“Innovative Lighting Design for Interior Landscapes”

Thursday, January 22nd, 1pm-Jean-Pierre Maaike Sijmons, ASI-“Seamless Transitions in Biophilic Design: Elevating Interiors Through Nature”

Thursday, January 22nd, 3pm-National Horticulture Foundation w/Green Plants for Green Buildings-“Growing the Bottom Line: Exploring Strategies for a More Profitable Interiorscape Business” (Free Open Forum)

Don’t miss the 2026 Let’s Get Tropical – Soirée:
Thursday, January 22nd, 8pm-1am! This tropical-inspired evening brings together interior plantscape professionals, suppliers, and supporters for connection, celebration, and purpose—while recognizing all 2026 International Plantscape Awards Program WINNERS through multiple digital mediums on event night. The Soirée also raises funds for the Interior Industry Growth Fund (IIGF), managed by the National Horticulture Foundation and benefiting Green Plants for Green Buildings (GPGB). Proceeds support research, education, marketing, and sustainability initiatives that drive long-term growth and innovation across the interior plantscape industry. Tickets are $100, with a portion of each ticket donated back to the IIGF Fund. Purchase tickets!

Grow with GPGB in 2026: Volunteer and Make an Impact

Thank You for Growing With GPGB!

At Green Plants for Green Buildings (GPGB), your support truly makes everything possible. Every action you take helps bring plants into the spaces where we work, learn, and gather — enhancing the impact of biophilic design and creating healthier, more inspiring environments that benefit people and the planet.

This past year, GPGB’s mission reached even more professionals in architecture, design, facilities, and human resources through our presence at major national conferences. We exhibited and spoke at the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design (AIA25), where our lush booth and expert‑led sessions connected biophilic principles with real‑world design challenges. We shared insights with building owners and managers at BOMA25, demonstrating how nature‑integrated spaces boost tenant wellbeing and property value. And at SHRM25, we brought biophilic design into workplace wellness conversations, showing HR leaders how nature‑rich environments can reduce stress, enhance focus, and support organizational success.

We’re grateful to have you as part of our community. Together, we’re not just adding greenery — we are shaping spaces where people and nature thrive, influencing industry practice and helping professionals everywhere bring the benefits of plants indoors.

Thank you for growing with GPGB — and for helping us grow the movement that brings nature into the built environment.

Partner With Trusted Interiorscape Experts Through GPGB

Creating healthier, more sustainable indoor environments starts with the right professionals. The GPGB Provider Directory connects you with interiorscape experts experienced in biophilic design, helping bring nature indoors in ways that enhance well-being, productivity, and aesthetic appeal.

These specialists do far more than simply place plants—they craft living spaces that improve air quality, support occupant wellness, and align seamlessly with your design vision and organizational goals. From custom installations to ongoing care, GPGB’s network ensures lasting, measurable impact.

As we reflect on the year, explore the GPGB Provider Directory and see how you can integrate nature into your spaces—beautifully, strategically, and sustainably.

Credits: Project information from Gillespies. Photography/visuals: HayesDavidson (via Gillespies)

Google’s new headquarters in King’s Cross, London is bringing biophilic design to a dramatic scale—featuring a 300-metre-long rooftop garden designed to support wellbeing, movement, and everyday connection to nature. Created by landscape architect Gillespies, the roof includes open lawns, wildflower meadows, large trees, grow gardens, flexible social/event space, and a 200-metre “trim trail” that encourages physical activity during the workday. The project shows how workplaces can support health and creativity by integrating biodiversity and green space directly into the built environment.

Credits: Screenshots from a video by James Stewart (Instagram), via Kottke.org

In Taipei, Taiwan, the former Zhongshan Soccer Stadium—a major venue that once held 20,000+ fans—was closed in 2008 and later reimagined as a vibrant community garden instead of being demolished or left to rot.

Today, the stadium’s terraced seating has been transformed into rows of green garden plots, where local residents can grow food, gather, and enjoy nature in the middle of the city—an eye-catching example of how underused infrastructure can become community-serving green space. The project has been highlighted as part of Taipei’s broader urban greening / “garden city” efforts.

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.