About this episode

The episode discusses innovative biophilic design approaches to urban development led by Joanna Yarrow and Human Nature.

We have a climate crisis, housing shortages, and increasing urban disconnection, we need a pioneering radical approach to development that puts nature and human flourishing at its core. Human Nature, led by Joanna Yarrow, are creating living, breathing ecosystems that challenge how we normally go about urban design. "We've boxed ourselves into a corner by having the starting point that we are separate from nature," Joanna explains. Places should not just exist alongside nature, they should be fundamentally integrated with it. Human Nature has identified three critical place typologies that could transform how we live. These are urban neighbourhoods, rural clusters, and new settlements. Their flagship project, the Phoenix in Lewes, East Sussex, demonstrates what's possible when we reimagine development. "Places aren't just buildings. They are infrastructure, streets, parks, alleyways, rivers – a collection of components that includes hardware like pavements and water systems, and software like community services." The Phoenix project is a testament to this holistic approach. Spanning 7.9 hectares of former industrial land, it will become the UK's largest bio-based development…

People in this episode

Host: Vanessa Champion

Guest: Joanna Yarrow

Topics covered

• biophilic design
• urban development
• sustainability
• housing
• community integration

Keywords

• biophilic design
• urban neighborhoods
• sustainable construction
• community services
• natural materials

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Human Nature

Books & works: Phoenix

Places: Lewes, East Sussex, UK

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• The New Stone Age · March 26, 2026 · 41 min
• Interview Special - Workspace Design Show 2026 London · March 25, 2026 · 17 min
• How to Fast-track a Regenerative Future · March 8, 2026 · 41 min

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