STAKEHOLDER OVERVIEW
With the wide range of solutions we are proposing, there are numerous stakeholders involved with making this process successful. All will play a significant role in making biophilic design a priority across the built environment in the City of Denver and the more community involvement through social, economic, and environmental sectors will ultimately produce a more resilient city.
STAKEHOLDER OVERVIEW
With the wide range of solutions we are proposing, there are numerous stakeholders involved with making this process successful. All will play a significant role in making biophilic design a priority across the built environment in the City of Denver and the more community involvement through social, economic, and environmental sectors will ultimately produce a more resilient city.
STAKEHOLDER OVERVIEW
With the wide range of solutions we are proposing, there are numerous stakeholders involved with making this process successful. All will play a significant role in making biophilic design a priority across the built environment in the City of Denver and the more community involvement through social, economic, and environmental sectors will ultimately produce a more resilient city.
STAKEHOLDER OVERVIEW
With the wide range of solutions we are proposing, there are numerous stakeholders involved with making this process successful. All will play a significant role in making biophilic design a priority across the built environment in the City of Denver and the more community involvement through social, economic, and environmental sectors will ultimately produce a more resilient city.
IDEATION
The city of Denver has created some effort to incorporate Biophilic Design into the built environment through individual projects, but there is so much more the city can do to create real change in urban regeneration. We have created a plan that we would like to implement into the city building and lifestyle to create a true culture change to protect our environment, economy and human health. Our plan includes the following:
1. Educational, Professional, and Social Initiatives
2. Outreach from local design firms, design consultancy, and publications
3. Incentive programs
4. Community buy-in programs
1. Educational, Professional, and Social Initiatives:
Biophilic strategies and technologies will need to be taught and studied from the ground up, reaching the newest individuals entering the industry. Currently many programs in the U.S. offer biophilic ideas solely at the discretion of the professor, rarely an established part of the program. Students themselves must delve into biophilia if they wish to learn more. The ultimate goal would be for Architecture accrediting entities (NAAB) and AIA, as well as Construction Management Programs to help address this by mandating the curriculums. In Denver this includes incorporation at the major industry institutions, including University of Denver and University of Colorado Denver.
2. Outreach from local firms, design consultancy, and publications:
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In order to create more awareness and begin the process of making biophilia more standardized, we are looking to incorporate the following industry professionals. Firms and consultants could have outreach programs or hold events that engage the general public in learning about biophilic design and its significant impact on human health, mental health and how to create a healthy ecosystem between humans, buildings and nature.​​
Our approach will bring awareness to the following firms and encourage them to start these initiatives:
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Professional green consulting firms such as Realwell could offer internships to students in Architecture, Interior Design and Construction programs that specialize in biophilic design.
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WSP- offer internships for students interested sustainable, regenerative and biophilic design through their Future Ready program.
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​Nava- offer Internships as well as outreach programs/events for the general public on how biophilic design is an important element in green building and key driver in regenerative building​.
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Construction firms such as Haselden Construction can encourage tradesman and employees to Biophilic Design and when offered take courses on the practice. They displayed their knowledge of Biophilic Design on the CSU Biology Building. They can also incorporate internships and educational classes on Biophilic design for their tradesman, managers and general employees.
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Working with local tradesman and tech schools such as the Construction Industry Training Council and Colorado Homebuilding Academy on incorporating Biophilic Design into their curriculum and apprenticeships. It is important that the trades and general employees in construction have an understanding of how it works, the benefits, and its application in their respective jobs.​
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Publications: Colorado Builder, Building Dialogue & 5280 can publish regular articles on BD- this reaches construction professionals, real estate professionals and the general public to create more awareness of the practice.
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In addition, all of these firms, companies, publications and educational institutions hold an online presence and can create awareness through social media campaigns surrounding their business/program and the incorporation and knowledge of Biophilic Design. This can effectively reach audiences inside and outside of the real estate and construction world. Social media can be readily used to tap into this worldwide market and "sell" Biophilic Design.
Click on an image below to learn more about each resource:
3. Economic Incentive Programs
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Biophilic design will need to use economic incentives in order to integrate into the current industry. LEED practices are often optional when attempting to truly achieve sustainable progress.
Many tax credits can be implemented that can encourage the use of Biophilic Design, either in new-builds or renovations. These will often coincide with value-add opportunities. We will present our pitch to the relevant government officials here in Denver, backed with one or two influential builders/developers (Jonathan Rose Companies, Nava, Haselden) and appeal for these changes. More specifics about these can be found under the Solutions tab.
4. Community Buy-In
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Through local firms and government outreach programs, events, and workshops for the general public, the home buyers will have an awareness of Biophilic Design. This is a big step in starting its adoption in building and development. Just as the government sponsors health initiatives and programs, we would like to eventually see a partner in Biophilic Design education initiatives in local communities. Once the public is exposed to the knowledge of how much living and working in the biophilic environments helps their health, mental health, productivity and the natural world, a cultural shift can begin to happen. Understanding the holistic benefits of the Biophilic “ecosystem”, will turn the general public into consumers of this idea, furthermore increasing the demand of its practice in the built environment.
