Biophilia: Africa, Nature and Remembering What It Means to be Human
About this episode
Wangui Mwangi discusses the deep-rooted biophilic practices in Africa and the lessons the world can learn from indigenous knowledge and cultural traditions.
As Biophilic Design continues to gather momentum around the world, much of the conversation has centred on research emerging from Europe, North America and Australia. Yet one of the most powerful perspectives may come from a continent where living with nature has never been considered a design trend at all. For Wangui Mwangi, Founding Chair of the Green Biophilic Living Society and Convener of the Africa Biophilic Building Conference & Expo 2026, biophilia is less about innovation than remembering. "Africa has always lived biophilically. Our ancestors have always lived biophilically." Wangui believes the rest of the world has much to learn from centuries of indigenous knowledge, vernacular architecture and cultural traditions that have always recognised humanity as part of nature rather than separate from it. Speaking on the Journal of Biophilic Design podcast, she describes traditional African settlements where buildings were constructed using local materials, courtyards encouraged natural ventilation, communities lived outdoors, and architecture reflected both ecological intelligence and spiritual connection. "Nature was never separate from humanity," she explains. "Nature was…
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