Green Healthy Places

Welcome to episode 44 of the Green & Healthy Places podcast in which we explore the themes of wellbeing and sustainability in real estate. This time around we have more of a social equity focus as we're talking to Rashiq Fataar, the Founding Director of Our Future Cities in South Africa. Rashiq works across disciplines, engaging with city planners, designers, researchers and anthropologists in the quest for promoting more sustainable and inclusive cities not just in South Africa where they are based, but increasingly around the African continent as a whole.Our conversation covers the weight of South Africa's history of top-down oppression and how that impacted urban development during apartheid, the kind of tactical urban intervention that can turn a handful of parking bays into a parklet, the challenges of developing enough affordable housing, how concerns over safety can be baked into new precinct development plans from the start, examples of successful downtown regeneration in Durban by developers Urban Lime, and the student accommodation opportunity in neglected 1960s era buildings in central Cape Town and Durban in particular.Rashiq is erudite, determined and fighting on the front line of city development so here he is. GUEST / RASHIQ FATAAROur Future CitiesRashiq Fataar / LinkedInUrban Lime SAHOST / MATT MORLEYwww.mattmorley.netInstagramLinkedIn

Welcome to episode 43 of the Green & Healthy Places podcast, brought to you by Biofilico healthy buildings & interiors.In this episode I’m chatting to Danielle Trofe, a biodesigner with her own studio in New York who also lectures in biomimicry for The Pratt Institute and Parsons New School.Danielle’s MushLume collection of lampshades made from organically grown mushroom mycelium and hemp have featured in the seriously cool, eco-luxury 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge amongst other projects and she is a leading proponent of biofabrication - that is using naturally grown materials in product design.Our conversation covers all of these ‘bio’ terms that may understandably be new for many of you, we also look into the full Life Cycle impact of a design product from production through to end of life, we discuss how biophilic design can when delivered poorly equate to a largely superficial greenwashing of the interior design process, and we introduce the topic of green chemistry, that is research and development around new bio-based materials that designers such s Danielle can then introduce into  future product development.GUEST / DANIELLE TROFE / BIODESIGNERhttps://danielletrofe.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielletrofehttps://twitter.com/DanielleTrofeHOST / MATT MORLEY / WELLBEING CHAMPIONhttps://biofilico.com/https://www.mattmorley.net/

GUEST / JONSARA RUTH / HEALTHY MATERIALS LABhttps://healthymaterialslab.org/https://healthymaterialslab.org/learning-hub/e-learning-online-certificate-programhttps://healthymaterialslab.org/learning-hub/the-affordable-housing-guide-programhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/healthy-materials-lab/https://www.facebook.com/healthymaterialslab/https://www.instagram.com/healthymaterialslab/https://www.saltylabs.us/The New Coal - Plastics & Climate Change, by Beyond PlasticsHOST / MATT MORLEY / WELLBEING CHAMPIONhttps://biofilico.com/https://biofit.io/ https://www.mattmorley.net/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattmorleylux/

Conversation highlightsIt doesn’t feel right that with we have so little opportunity to connect with nature here given the huge percentage of our lives we spend in dense urban centers.Green roofs clean and cool the air, sequester carbon and provide rooftop habitats for birds, bees, bats, butterflies, and much more. Farm-to-table is great but roof-to-table is even betterGreen roofs perform multiple functions with societal, environmental, building operations, and mental health benefits, all simultaneously. Building owners should be thinking of their rooftops as buckets instead of lids, because there's money falling out of the sky.Solar panels lose operating efficiency when the ambient air around them gets too hot but Plants cool the air around them through through evapotranspiration so when you install solar panels directly on top of green roofing, the plants cool the air underneath the solar panels and help them to produce more electricityGUEST / ALAN BURCHELL / PRINCIPAL, URBANSTRONGhttps://urbanstrong.com/LinkedInInstaFacebookBook reference: Nature's Best HopeBrooklyn Grange FarmHOST / MATT MORLEY / WELLBEING CHAMPIONhttps://biofilico.com/    https://biofit.io/ https://www.mattmorley.net/  

GUEST / LIAM BATES / CEO OF KAITERRAwww.kaiterra.com/Better Building Blogwww.linkedin.com/company/kaiterra/HOST / MATT MORLEY / WELLBEING CHAMPIONhttps://biofilico.com/ LinkedInwww.mattmorley.net/https://biofit.io/ 

GUEST / LILY TURNER / URBANSTRONG NYChttps://urbanstrong.com/LinkedInInstaFacebookHOST / MATT MORLEY / WELLBEING CHAMPIONhttps://www.mattmorley.net/https://biofilico.com/ LinkedInInsta 

Conversation highlights:Everything is interconnected. So at the end, the relationships between plants, insects, and even humans, are crucial for our work, especially in an urban surrounding.We created a garden of pollinators that allows insects to gather and colonize.When we see butterflies in the neighborhood it means that we are recovering, and those vegetation communities are working well. It's like a biodiversity parameter for a healthy environment.In response to climate change, landscape architects have to design with nature, not against it.We did a study of the bird species of the area and their migration behavior then designed a rooftop with plant communities suitable for those nesting birds.Nature is complex, vivid, random, diverse...With our designs we want to bring back wild, uncontrolled nature into our cities - it’s much better for the soul.GUEST / JORDI BARRI / BARRI STUDIO BARCELONAhttps://barristudio.com/ https://www.instagram.com/barri.studio/ HOST / MATT MORLEY / WELLBEING CHAMPIONhttps://www.mattmorley.net/https://biofilico.com/https://biofit.io/  

GUEST / JOHANNES SCHMIDThttps://buildingbiology.com/https://buildingbiology.com/building-biology-course/https://www.baubiologie.de/downloads/25principles.pdf HOST / MATT MORLEYhttps://biofilico.com/https://biofit.io/https://www.mattmorley.net/ CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTSThe roots of healthy buildings and building biology are here in GermanyIf you study medicine, you learn about illnesses but not about sickness caused by spending time in a buildingIn any house, the most important place from our perspective is the bedroomWe have drastically changed the way we live over the last few generations. Just 100 years ago, we spent much more time outdoors.We don't want to say we have to go back to the Stone Ages. I'm using a computer, I use electricity, in the institute we simply use it in a more efficient, less harmful way.We should use our bodies as a tool for movement in a natural environment every day. 

GUEST / JAMES NASH / ACTIVE TRAVEL EXPERThttps://activetravelscore.com/https://www.bikedocksolutions.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/activescore/HOST MATT MORLEY / WELLBEING CHAMPIONBiofit wellness conceptsBiofilico healthy buildingsLinkedin

GUEST  / DR NATASA LACKOVICProfile page, University of LancasterCentre For Higher Education Research & EvaluationStudent Mental Health Network / SMARTENStepchange: mentally healthy universitiesUnite Students HOST / MATT MORLEYBiofit wellness conceptsBiofilico healthy buildingsMatt Morley / Wellbeing Champion

GUESTS / SEAN & LAERKE SUTCLIFFE / BENCHMARK FURNITUREhttps://benchmarkfurniture.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madebybenchmark/ Made WELL Sustainability ReportHOST / MATT MORLEY / WELLBEING CHAMPIONhttps://biofilico.com/https://biofit.io/ https://www.mattmorley.net/ 

GUEST / ANA MAGALHAES / SOMA STUDIOhttp://www.somastudiomilano.com/SOMA Studio on InstagramSOMA Studio on LinkedInSOMA Studio on YouTubeRo Plastic PrizeHOST / MATT MORLEY / WELLBEING CHAMPIONhttps://biofit.io/https://biofilico.com/https://www.mattmorley.net/LinkedIn  

GUESTS / SIMONA AUTERI & SOFIA STEFFENONImatterofstuff.comdesign manifestosustainabilityinstagram  HOST / MATT MORLEYBiofilico healthy buildingsBiofit wellness conceptswellbeing championLinkedIn  

GUEST / CHRIS DAVIES, CEO of UNCOMMON WORKSPACES IN LONDON, UKwebsitejournalinstagramlinkedinHOST / MATT MORLEYBiofilico healthy buildingsBiofit wellness conceptsMatt Morley /wellbeing championLinkedIn

Talking workplace wellbeing with WellableHIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR CONVERSATIONBeing healthy to the earth often equates to being healthy to yourselfCompanies are starting to invest in community health initiatives, so not just helping their employees who are living in those communities, but helping all local citizensThere's a shift happening from ROI, return on investment, to VOI value on investmentHealthy people are typically still very active and alert in productivity terms at 4pmNo one ever asked us to create content on the health benefits of gratitude, the health benefits of finding purpose in your life, or the science of happiness, but we did it!GUEST / NICK PATEL, CEOhttps://www.wellable.co/homehttps://www.linkedin.com/company/wellable-inc-/https://www.facebook.com/GetWellable/HOST / MATT MORLEYhttps://biofit.io/https://biofilico.com/https://www.mattmorley.net/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattmorleylux/https://www.instagram.com/matt.aspiotis.morley/  

Our conversation covers:Environmental psychologyThe connections between Feng shui, modern health sciences and biohackingOrganizing a healthy homeDetoxifying your home environmentDefining an intention and energy level for different rooms in a houseHis tips on Essential oil aromatherapyActive vs Passive physical activityBiophilic designBuilding biologyThe ancient history of healthy buildingsGUEST / ROR ALEXANDERhttps://www.roralexander.com/YouTubeLinkedInInstagramHealth By Design podcastHOST / MATT MORLEYhttps://www.mattmorley.net/ https://biofilico.com/https://biofit.io/LinkedInInstagram

Our conversation covers: Bobbi’s experience creating a framework for student wellbeing via an innovative accommodation offerWellWise’s Research driven diagnostic system approach to workplace wellbeingtheir Employee engagement process to build a culture around wellbeingtheir network of specialists providing bespoke solutions covering everything from sleep quality, to office design and environmental healththe growing importance of mental health support at workthe subtle but important difference between wellness and wellbeingthe opportunities in the UAE market for workplace wellnessGUEST / Bobbi  Hartshornehttps://www.bewellwise.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/bewellwise/https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbihartshornewellbeing/HOST / Matt Morleyhttps://www.mattmorley.net/https://biofilico.com/https://biofit.io/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattmorleylux/

In episode 27 with Dr Chi-Chi Obuaya from The Soke in London, UK we discuss the cultural differences between the UK and the US in openness around mental wellbeing; the impact of Covid on our relationships at home and in the office; mental health champions in the workplace; why having an off-site venue for discussions around mental health is preferable to an in-office solution; designing an interior for mental wellbeing; the parallels between boutique gyms and private clinics in terms of aspirational positioning and how working on your inner game can make you a more effective manager.GUEST / DR. CHI-CHI OBUAYA OF THE SOKE, LONDON, UKhttps://www.thesoke.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-soke/https://twitter.com/TheSokeUKhttps://www.instagram.com/thesokelondon/HOST / MATT MORLEYhttps://www.mattmorley.net/ https://biofilico.com/https://biofit.io/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattmorleylux/https://www.instagram.com/matt.aspiotis.morley/

Michelle and I dig into a term that is more common in the US than in Europe, namely ‘building biology’, which is a combination of healthy building strategies and Biophilia or nature-connectedness.  Her in-person and virtual assessments of residential environments address issues affecting the health of occupiers, the risks of off-gassing from flooring and wall paint, how to mitigate the risk of Electro-Magnetic Fields (EMFs) in homes and how to safely manage your smart home technology.Michelle has a lot of strings to her bow, having co-developed a lab test for indoor air quality, launched her own collection of biophilic nature-inspired artworks and delivering landscape design services for clients as well to bring the outside world indoors.She’s devoted to all things natural and healthy in the home environment, so we had lots to talk about.If you enjoy this episode please hit subscribe, my social media handles are in the show notes if you want to reach out directly, nada was, let’s get into it.GUEST / MICHELLE IFVERSEN / DESIGN WELL STUDIOShttps://www.designwellstudios.com/Indoor air quality testingBotaniculture artworksHOST / MATT MORLEYLinkedInInstagrammattmorley.net

GUEST / JOHN RYAN / HEALTHY PLACE TO WORKhttps://www.healthyplacetowork.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/healthy-place-to-work-international/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrtUNAO8sbCDtnDtz3FgVHghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salutogenesishttps://albertbandura.com/albert-bandura-agency.html HOST / MATT MORLEYMATTMORLEY.NETBIOFIT SUSTAINABLE GYM DESIGNBIOFILICO HEALTHY BUILDINGS

GUEST / DAVID PLANA, CEO, PGA CATALUNYAhttps://www.pgacatalunya.com/Wellness CentreGolfReal estateInstagramYouTubeLinkedInHOST / MATT MORLEYhttps://www.mattmorley.net/https://biofilico.com/https://biofit.io/LinkedIn Instagram  

GUESTSTilly Berry of The Yoga Agency: https://theyogaagency.co.uk/Leigh Chapman of Yinshi Meditation: https://www.yinshi.co.uk/Renee Elliott of Beluga Bean: https://belugabean.com/  https://www.planetorganic.com/Tania Jumnoodoo of Thanks Ben: https://www.thanksben.com/HOSTwww.mattmorley.netmail @ mattmorley . net

GUEST / Pol Merino of HONEXTHonextMaterial.comHonext LinkedInHonext InstagramHOST / Matt Morleymattmorley.netMatt LinkedInMatt Instagram

GUEST / Dr. Steven MacGregor of The Leadership Academy BarcelonaThe LABSustaining Executive PerformanceChief Wellbeing OfficerHOST / Matt MorleyMattMorley.netBiofilicoBiofit   

GUEST: HUGH CROSSLEY OF SOMERLEYTON, FRITTON LAKE AND WILD EAST FOUNDATIONhttps://www.frittonlake.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/frittonlake/https://www.facebook.com/frittonlake/https://www.somerleyton.co.uk/https://wildeast.co.uk/https://www.facebook.com/wildeastukhttps://www.instagram.com/wildeastuk/HOST: MATT MORLEY OF BIOFIT NATURAL HEALTH & FITNESS AND BIOFILICO WELLNESS INTERIORShttps://biofilico.com/ https://biofit.io/ https://www.mattmorley.net/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattmorleylux/

GUEST / Stanton Wong, President, RESETRESET main siteRESET AIR standardHOST / Matt MorleyFounder of BioBlu sustainable yachtingFounder of Biofilico wellness real estate & interiorsFounder of Biofit Health & Fitness 

GUEST / BEVERLY MCAULEY , DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION & SUSTAINABILITY FOR MOORE & GILES LEATHERhttp://mooreandgiles.com/https://www.mooreandgiles.com/leatherHOSt / MATT MORLEYhttps://biofilico.com/https://biofit.io/https://sustainableyachtingbioblu.com/ 

GUEST / DR. JENNY GOODMANhttps://www.drjennygoodman.com/https://www.instagram.com/dr_jenny_goodman/https://www.facebook.com/DrJennyGoodmanhttps://twitter.com/drjennygoodmanHOST / MATT MORLEYwww.biofilico. com www.biofit.io www.bioblu.org

GUEST  Sean Moriarty, CEO, Quinta do Lagohttps://www.quintadolago.com/en/Real estateThe Campus gymGolfFarmHOST Matt MorleyBiofilico wellness real estate & interiorsBiofit gym advisoryBioBlu sustainability

GUEST: ROBERT MCKEE / Founder, Zandur / www.zandur.comHOST: MATT MORLEY / www.biofilico. com / www.biofit.io / www.bioblu.org

GUEST / LEIGH CHAPMANwww.yinshi.co.ukHOST / MATT MORLEYwww.mattmorley.net

GUEST / LAURIE MIAS, REVIVORevivo websitePavilions Hotels, NisekoRevivo InstagramHOST / MATT MORLEYwww.mattmorley.netwww.biofit.iowww.biofilico.comwww.bioblu.org

GUEST: JOHNATHAN RANSOM, SQUARE MILE FARMShttps://www.squaremilefarms.com/https://www.instagram.com/squaremilefarms/https://www.facebook.com/squaremilefarmshttps://www.linkedin.com/company/square-mile-farms/https://twitter.com/SM_FarmsHOST: MATT MORLEYwww.mattmorley.netwww.bioblu.orgwww.biofit.iowww.biofilico.com

GUEST / PABLO MUNOZhttps://evalore.es/https://airfirst.es/ https://www.facebook.com/EspaciosEvalore/https://twitter.com/Evalorewellhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/espaciosevalore/HOST / MATT MORLEYwww.mattmorley.netwww.biofit.iowww.biofilico.comwww.bioblu.org 

HOST: MATT MORLEY, FOUNDER OF BIOFIT GYM ADVISORYDownload the full Hotel Gym Report 2021 herewww.biofit.ioResearch into 'indoor green fitness' 

GUEST / PATI SANTOS OF THE GOOD THINGhttps://www.thegoodthing.co.uk/https://www.thegoodthing.co.uk/libraryhttps://www.wellcertified.com/https://www.lilyjencksstudio.com/https://www.maggies.org/HOST / MATT MORLEYwww.mattmorley.netwww.biofit.io www.biofilico.comwww.bioblu.org

Guest: Paul Evmorfidis, Founder of Coco-Mat   https://www.coco-mat.com/Host: Matt Aspiotis Morley, Founder of Biofilico interiors, Biofit nature gyms & BioBlu yacht design  

GUEST / ELENI ANDREADIS OF SANI RESORTwww.sani-resort.com Sani Sustainability Report 2019Sani on InstagramSani on YouTubeSani on FacebookSani on TwitterHOST / MATT MORLEYwww.mattmorley.netwww.biofit.iowww.biofilico.com

GUESTSwww.hero-group.chHero Group on LinkedInHero Group Sustainability Commitment------------HOSTwww.mattmorley.netwww.biofilico.comwww.biofit.io

GUESThttps://www.thermegroup.com/https://www.thermemanchester.co.uk/Therme - Human Cities - Green Paper download-----------------------HOSTwww.mattmorley.net www.biofilico.comwww.biofit.io 

www.watg.comWATG instagramMont Choisy, Mauritiuswww.mattmorley.net 

Guest: Jamie Murray of Amazon Corporate Real Estate EMEA / LinkedIn profileThe Spheres by Amazon in SeattleUSGBC LEED Green BuildingWELL BuildingHost: Matt Morley, founder of Biofit natural gyms and Biofilico design studio

https://staff.ki.se/health-promotionhttps://ki.se/https://biofit.io/stockholm  

www.singita.comhttps://wildlife.singita.com/https://www.facebook.com/singita.gamereserveswww.mattmorley.net

https://www.usgbc.org > LEED green building certificationhttps://www.wellcertified.com/  > WELL healthy building certificationhttps://gresb.com/  > GRESB ESG assessmentwww.biofit.io > green & healthy gymswww.biofilico.com > green & healthy interiorswww.mattmorley.net > green & healthy ESG strategy