Nature Inside
A biophilic design guide
RIBA Publishing
2nd Edition
Will be published approx. on 1. July 2026
Book
Hardback
304 pages
978-1-918216-03-5 (ISBN)
Description
With a Foreword by Thomas Heatherwick
Biophilic design brings positive experiences of nature into the built environment - whether in a domestic, work, leisure, healthcare, education or retail setting. Written by proponents, who are also leading expert practitioners, this updated version is a key design guide to biophilia for architects and interior designers.
By raising awareness of biophilic design as a strategy to support psychological and physiological wellbeing, Nature Inside illustrates how it can be implemented, across a range of international case studies. It offers a plethora of practical insight and real-world solutions for all designers. Brand new case studies offer up-to-date, applicable inspiration for any designer.
Starting with the principles and processes of biophilic design in practice, it showcases a variety of interior spaces - residential, retail, workplace, hospitality, education, healthcare, manufacturing and civic. The final chapter looks 'outside the walls', by providing a case study at the park, community and city scale, concluding with an essential practical toolkit.
Featured projects include:
PDX International Airport Terminal, Portland, by ZGF Architects
Maggie's Centre, Leeds, by Heatherwick Studio
The London home of Kelly Hoppen MBE
Seesaw Coffee, Beijing, by nota architects
The Spine, Liverpool, by AHR
Central Library, Calgary, by Snohetta
Meat & Wine Safari, Sydney, by COOOP
Biophilic design brings positive experiences of nature into the built environment - whether in a domestic, work, leisure, healthcare, education or retail setting. Written by proponents, who are also leading expert practitioners, this updated version is a key design guide to biophilia for architects and interior designers.
By raising awareness of biophilic design as a strategy to support psychological and physiological wellbeing, Nature Inside illustrates how it can be implemented, across a range of international case studies. It offers a plethora of practical insight and real-world solutions for all designers. Brand new case studies offer up-to-date, applicable inspiration for any designer.
Starting with the principles and processes of biophilic design in practice, it showcases a variety of interior spaces - residential, retail, workplace, hospitality, education, healthcare, manufacturing and civic. The final chapter looks 'outside the walls', by providing a case study at the park, community and city scale, concluding with an essential practical toolkit.
Featured projects include:
PDX International Airport Terminal, Portland, by ZGF Architects
Maggie's Centre, Leeds, by Heatherwick Studio
The London home of Kelly Hoppen MBE
Seesaw Coffee, Beijing, by nota architects
The Spine, Liverpool, by AHR
Central Library, Calgary, by Snohetta
Meat & Wine Safari, Sydney, by COOOP
More details
Edition
2nd New edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Professional Practice & Development
Edition type
New edition
Product notice
Paper over boards
Dimensions
Height: 210 mm
Width: 210 mm
Thickness: 31 mm
Weight
900 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-918216-03-5 (9781918216035)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
approx. 07/2026
2nd Edition
RIBA Publishing
€65.99
Not yet available
E-Book
approx. 07/2026
2nd Edition
RIBA Publishing
€65.99
Not yet available
Previous edition

Book
09/2020
1st Edition
RIBA Publishing
€58.50
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Persons
William D. Browning co-founded the sustainability consulting firm Terrapin Bright Green. He is a founding board member of the US Green Building Council and an Honorary member of the American Institute of Architects. He received the 2015 American Society of Interior Designers national Design for Humanity award for work in biophilic and green building design.
Catherine O. Ryan is associate partner at Terrapin Bright Green and a leading international biophilic design consultant for buildings, landscape and master planning projects. She is co-founder of the Stephen Kellert Biophilic Design Award and has published extensively on biophilic design, including The Economics of Biophilia which was recognised with the Environmental Design Research Association's prestigious Achievement Award.
Catherine O. Ryan is associate partner at Terrapin Bright Green and a leading international biophilic design consultant for buildings, landscape and master planning projects. She is co-founder of the Stephen Kellert Biophilic Design Award and has published extensively on biophilic design, including The Economics of Biophilia which was recognised with the Environmental Design Research Association's prestigious Achievement Award.
Content
Acknowledgements
Foreword
Introduction What is biophilia, and what does it mean for buildings and spaces?
PART 1
Chapter 1 The scientific and business case for biophilic design
Chapter 2 Biophilia in the design process
Chapter 3 Intimate scale: biophilic arts and craftsmanship
PART 2
Case studies, illustrating different aspects of the biophilic design process, and outcomes including, where available, post-occupancy data
Chapter 4 In the home: cherished residences
Chapter 5 In the school: supportive learning
Chapter 6 In the store: enticing retail
Chapter 7 In the office: focused and creative workspaces
Chapter 8 In the hotel: exceptional guest experiences
Chapter 9 In the hospital: effective healing environments
Chapter 10 In the factory: productive manufactories
Chapter 11 In the community: convivial civic spaces
Chapter 12 In the urban landscape: resorative pocket parks and promenades
Putting it all together
Toolkit
APPENDICES
Endnotes
Glossary
Index
Bibliography
Foreword
Introduction What is biophilia, and what does it mean for buildings and spaces?
PART 1
Chapter 1 The scientific and business case for biophilic design
Chapter 2 Biophilia in the design process
Chapter 3 Intimate scale: biophilic arts and craftsmanship
PART 2
Case studies, illustrating different aspects of the biophilic design process, and outcomes including, where available, post-occupancy data
Chapter 4 In the home: cherished residences
Chapter 5 In the school: supportive learning
Chapter 6 In the store: enticing retail
Chapter 7 In the office: focused and creative workspaces
Chapter 8 In the hotel: exceptional guest experiences
Chapter 9 In the hospital: effective healing environments
Chapter 10 In the factory: productive manufactories
Chapter 11 In the community: convivial civic spaces
Chapter 12 In the urban landscape: resorative pocket parks and promenades
Putting it all together
Toolkit
APPENDICES
Endnotes
Glossary
Index
Bibliography