Biophilic Patterns & Stimuli in Senior Wellbeing, part 2
4 June 2026
Episode S6E6
- Guests: Dr. Yangang Xing, Dr. Andrew Knight and Carolyn Thomas
- A Biophilic Therapeutic Framework for Ageing Well in Care Settings
– MDPI - Exploring biophilic building designs to promote wellbeing and stimulate inspiration
– Nottingham Trent University - Developing an AI-based digital biophilic art curation to enhance mental health in intelligent buildings
– Nottingham Trent University - Developing a biophilic behavioural change design framework – a scoping study
– Nottingham Trent University
- A Biophilic Therapeutic Framework for Ageing Well in Care Settings
- A Dose of Nature – Roger Ulrich’s theory
- The Journal of Biophilic Design – Website Homepage
- The Journal of Biophilic Design – Podcast
- 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design – Terrapin Bright Green
- Everything You Need to Know About Biophilic Design – Space Refinery
- Biophilic Design Initiative – Living Future
- Innovation Spotlight: Mobility UK, Lifeglider Mobility Aid (UK & Europe) and the Zeen Mobility Aid (USA)
About Our Guests
Dr. Yangang Xing, Nottingham Trent University. Dr. Xing’s research interest in Architectural Science and sustainability spans nature-based solutions, intelligent building technologies, mental health, and biomimicry. He has been developing innovative holistic solutions based on building physics and inter-disciplinary research tools, systemic modelling, and assessment of future post-carbon-built environments. Dr. Xing completed his PhD in Dynamic system simulation for sustainability planning and has participated in EPSRC-funded research projects focusing on methodological and technical innovations supporting building and urban sustainability. He is also the current Chair of the CIBSE Intelligent Building Group.
Dr. Andrew Knight, PhD FRICS. Dr Knight is an Executive Dean at Nottingham Trent University and an interdisciplinary researcher specialising in the built environment, with particular interest in professional ethics, social value, and biophilic design. His research draws on philosophical approaches to examine how built environments influence wellbeing, ethical practice, and societal outcomes. Dr Knight has published widely in leading international journals with recent work addressing ageing well in care settings, environmental evidence in historic buildings, and ethical decision‑making in professional practice.
Carolyn Thomas, Phd Student, Nottingham Trent University. Carolyn’s academic and professional trajectory has been shaped by an interest in biophilia and the human–nature relationship in the built environment. She explores how design can strengthen connections between people and nature, particularly within interior spaces where many individuals spend most of their time. After completing a master’s degree in environmental design, Carolyn has focused on interior environmental design as part of a holistic approach which integrates spatial design, natural elements and human experiences, environments and influencing physical health, psychological wellbeing, and environmental awareness to improve quality of life.