Creating Nature Connections: Biophilia for Google

Biophilia is the concept that humans have an innate desire to connect with nature and natural systems. Embedding these principles in the design of our buildings and spaces can improve the environmental performance, but more so, improves the life of the occupants where people are healthier, more satisfied, and more productive.

In this session, award-winning architect team, Parabola Architecture will highlight different perspectives and goals of biophilic design and share insights into how biophilic design can create value, and regenerative outcomes as they have applied this framework in their design process for Google’s headquarters, 1212 Bordeaux.

Expert presentations:

Applying Biophilic Design for 1212 Bordeaux

Kevin Burke and Carrie Meinberg Burke, Parabola Architecture

Kevin and Carrie will share their perspectives and unique insights into how biophilic design can create value, and regenerative outcomes while sharing their design process for 1212 Bordeaux, Google’s new award-winning headquarters. 

Cost: Free

CPD POINTS

0.1

SACAP Category 1

Michelle Ludwig

GreenED  & 

Ludwig Design Consulting

Senior Green Building Consultant
Living Building Challenge
Green Star AP | WELL AP
LEED AP | EDGE AP
EcoDistricts AP

Kevin Burke, AIA 

Parabola Architecture, Co-Founder

Parabola’s holistic design approach is embodied in 1212 Bordeaux, Google’s first completed ground-up construction. 1212 Bordeaux recently received Architectural Record’s “Good Design is Good Business” award, and was a finalist in ILFI’s Biophilic Design Award. Additional work with Parabola includes First Look Media’s workplace in Manhattan.

Prior to Parabola, Kevin was a partner and studio director at William McDonough + Partners for 16 years. In addition to managing the 50-person international practice, he led the design of NASA’s Sustainability Base, and Oberlin’s Adam Joseph Lewis Environmental Studies Center. 

Carrie Meinberg Burke, AIA 

Parabola Architecture, Co-founder

Carrie’s work evolves form from forces, drawing upon her expertise in calibrating light and human perception. She finds inspiration in designing the nuances of sensorial experience, applying technical rigor at a range of scales.

Parabola’s built work includes 1212 Bordeaux for Google, and offices in NYC for First Look Media and San Francisco offices. Carrie was lead designer for Parabola’s live/work “laboratory”, and for an ecologically aspirational residence in California.