Biophilic Design CPD with Interface – Inspiring Sustainable Thinking at Our Leeds Studio
At PARKdesigned, we are always looking for opportunities to enhance our knowledge and refine our approach to architectural design. This week, our team of Leeds architects had the pleasure of welcoming Interface to our studio for a CPD session titled Biophilic Design – Designing with Human Nature in Mind. The session was led by the insightful and incredibly engaging Steven Radcliffe and Donna Dent, whose passion for sustainable, human-centred design was truly inspiring.
As architects in Leeds working across commercial, waste and energy sectors, we are deeply aware of the growing need to create spaces that support health, well-being and environmental performance. This CPD session brought a fresh and evidence-based perspective to the role of biophilic design within architecture, reminding us of the profound influence the built environment can have on people.
Why Biophilic Design Matters for Architects in Leeds
Biophilic design is more than a trend – it is a necessary shift in thinking. The CPD explored how incorporating elements inspired by nature into our buildings can significantly improve cognitive function, emotional well-being and physiological health. For architects operating in urban environments such as Leeds, this design philosophy presents an opportunity to soften dense development, reconnect people with natural systems and improve the overall quality of indoor spaces.
Steven and Donna guided us through key strategies of biophilic design, including the use of natural materials, organic patterns, daylighting, indoor planting, and spatial arrangements that mimic natural habitats. These ideas are directly relevant to many of our Leeds-based architectural projects – whether we are designing commercial interiors, energy infrastructure or public buildings. The versatility of biophilic design ensures it can be seamlessly integrated at any scale or budget.
Interface’s Approach – Sustainable and Practical
One of the key takeaways from the session was the way Interface aligns biophilic principles with practical, commercial realities. Their commitment to carbon-neutral flooring products, circular material flows and transparency in sourcing resonated strongly with our own approach as a practice focused on sustainable architecture in Leeds.
What made this CPD especially valuable was the combination of scientific research, design theory and real-world applications. Steven and Donna presented compelling evidence that biophilic design not only improves user experience but can also contribute to improved productivity, reduced absenteeism and higher tenant satisfaction – outcomes of particular relevance to commercial developers and clients.
A Memorable and Enjoyable Session
Beyond the content, Steven and Donna were a joy to host. Both brought warmth, clarity and humour to their delivery, and created a positive environment for discussion and reflection. Their ability to communicate technical knowledge in a relatable way helped make the topic feel accessible and achievable. As Leeds-based architects committed to long-term value creation through considered design, we left the session with renewed motivation and a toolkit of strategies to embed biophilia into our design processes.
Looking Ahead – Embedding Biophilic Principles in Our Work
The session reinforced our belief that successful architecture must balance environmental responsibility with human-centred thinking. As architects in Leeds delivering projects across the UK, we are increasingly incorporating biophilic principles into our designs – not just to meet client expectations, but to create spaces that people genuinely enjoy and that support their well-being in a measurable way.
We extend our thanks to Interface, and particularly to Steven Radcliffe and Donna Dent, for delivering such a high-quality and thought-provoking session. Their knowledge and kindness made the event not only informative but thoroughly enjoyable.
For anyone looking to explore the role of biophilia in architecture, we highly recommend reviewing Interface’s Biophilic Design Guide, and their CPD overview on the RIBA website.