ICYMI: Microbiome Architecture: A New Frontier in Commercial and Institutional Interior Design
This episode explores microbiome architecture, a cutting-edge evolution of biophilic design that incorporates plants and their microbiomes into interior spaces.
In this ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) article-read episode of I Hear Design, we explore “microbiome architecture,” a next-step evolution of biophilic design that intentionally integrates plants and their microbiomes into commercial and institutional interiors. Based on the article by Rose Morrison published on the interiors+sources website, you’ll hear how plant systems can be designed to support indoor air quality, occupant well-being, and sustainability goals, as well as a practical framework for integrating living walls, soil-based planting media, low-tox materials, multisensory accessibility, and HVAC collaboration.
We also unpack real-world hurdles such as scientific uncertainty, maintenance demands, and upfront cost, and discuss how design teams can minimize risks of adoption through early cross-disciplinary partnerships, pilot installations, and performance tracking. The episode includes a case study spotlight on Phipps Conservatory’s Center for Sustainable Landscapes and closes with a roadmap for firms ready to move from “plants as décor” to living systems as measurable building infrastructure.
Rose Morrison has more than five years’ experience writing about key topics in real estate, building, and construction, including sustainability, technology innovation, and trends that translate to home and commercial markets. She currently serves as managing editor of Renovated.
