In an era where employee wellbeing is a top priority, architect Amanda Sturgeon is pioneering a shift towards nature-inspired work environments. As CEO of the Biomimicry Institute, she advocates for biophilic design—an approach that integrates natural elements into workplaces to enhance mental health, productivity, and overall employee satisfaction.
“Many of our buildings today are like barren tombs, where people’s souls and creativity go to die,” Amanda explains. Her personal experiences working in windowless offices, devoid of natural light, fresh air, and sensory stimulation, ignited her passion for reimagining how we design spaces.
A career dedicated to sustainability architecture
A globally recognised expert in biophilic and sustainable architecture, Amanda has dedicated her career to creating regenerative projects that harmonise with the environment. She has delivered a widely acclaimed TED Talk, Bringing Biophilic Design to Life, and authored Creating Biophilic Buildings. Her essay Buildings Designed for Life is featured in the anthology All We Can Save: Truth, Courage and Solutions to Climate Change. Among numerous accolades, she was elected as a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 2013, named a US Green Building Council LEED Fellow in 2014, and recognised as one of the top ten women in sustainability through the Women in Sustainability Leadership Award in 2015.
A childhood rooted in nature
Amanda’s deep appreciation for nature began in her childhood, growing up in a small English village where she spent hours exploring the outdoors. Her travels through Australia and Southeast Asia further influenced her architectural philosophy, as she witnessed buildings designed in perfect harmony with their climates. “I saw buildings that were so in tune with the environment, responding to it in a way I’d never witnessed before,” she recalls.
Beyond greenery: The true essence of biophilic design
Her work moves beyond superficial greenery—biophilic design is not just about adding plants to an office but about embedding nature into the very essence of a building. It involves understanding the unique ecology, climate, and culture of a site to create spaces that support both human and environmental health.
Learning from nature: Biomimicry in architecture
A powerful example of biomimicry—design inspired by nature—can be seen in termite mounds, which have naturally efficient ventilation systems. Amanda highlights this as a lesson for architects seeking to create climatically responsive buildings. Research confirms that exposure to natural light, views of greenery, and sensory engagement with nature can enhance productivity, wellbeing, and learning outcomes. Yet, many schools, hospitals, and workplaces remain disconnected from the natural world. “We’ve created this separation between humans and nature, which has allowed us to destroy ecosystems and indigenous cultures without remorse,” Amanda warns. “Now, we need a revolution in how we design and think about the built environment.”
A vision for a greener future
Looking ahead, Amanda envisions a future where urban landscapes are reclaimed by nature—where cities feature lush forests, green rooftops, and buildings designed to support not just humans but entire ecosystems. She believes we have the knowledge and technology to make this a reality, but what’s needed now is the collective will to implement change.
Amanda’s mission is to inspire architects, designers, and organisations to embrace biophilic and biomimetic principles. She encourages us all to rethink our built environment, fostering a future where reconnecting with nature leads to healthier, more fulfilling lives.
For more on Amanda Sturgeon’s work, visit https://amandasturgeon.com.au.
Read the original article by Journal of Biophilic Design here.
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