Lincoln Garland presents at CIEEM Conference

07/12/2016

Associate Director Dr Lincoln Garland gave a talk on the Eco-case for Compact Cities at Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management's Urban Green Space Conference in Taunton. In his talk Lincoln made the case that as the UK's population and housing demand increases, harm to the environment can best be avoided through well designed, sustainable, compact urban development, which promotes use of brownfield sites and avoids low-density urban sprawl. To this end, the role of the ecologist is more vital than ever to ensure that the increasingly densely populated urban realm does not become devoid of greenery and ecologically impoverished.


BbD is 10!

18/11/2016

On a damp and misty Friday night, the lights went on for a major gathering to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the founding of the company and the 25th anniversary of the Cocoa Bond charity of which we are patron.

Over 150 guests gathered to eat fabulous food,  drink excellent bubbles and learn about what has been keeping us busy and happy for a decade.  Key projects from around the world were showcased demonstrating three key themes of our work: ecourbanism, ecotourism and eco-commodities. Mike Wells took the opportunity to pose the question as to what response is needed from environmentally like-minded urbanists in the face of a world that appears to be on the verge of tearing itself apart rather than joining together to successfully address global challenges.

We thank all who attended this fabulous event and made it such a success from the bottom of our hearts - and look forward to new and exciting creative collaborations in the coming years.


Dr Mike Wells presents to the Thames Estuary Partnership

11/11/2016

Director Dr Mike Wells FCIEEM spoke at the Thames Estuary Partnership about the national guidance on the Ecological Design of Tidal River edges 'Estuary Edges' to a capacity audience. Biodiversity by Design led the team that wrote the original guidance as commissioned by TEP and the Environment Agency. The guidance is as if not more relevant now than ever, though needs to be updated to take account of changes in legislation and planning framework.


Bee Hotels

10/11/2016

Biodiversity by Design have designed, manufactured and installed six individual bee hotels on the South Gardens apartment rooftops in the new Elephant Park development. Mason bees will be the main beneficiaries of the insect hotels, although features have also been included to attract leafcutter bees, parasitic wasps, beetles and spiders.


Dr Mike Wells provides CPD session to Barr Gazetas

31/10/2016

Director Dr Mike Wells provided CPD to Barr Gazetas Architects in London entitled 'Landscape, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services at the Heart of Sustainable Architecture and Masterplanning? ' The session was very well-attended and received; and discussion ensued on the new directions of the British Green Building Council as regards biophilic design criteria.


Strategic Ecological Framework for BREEAM

30/09/2016

Director Dr Mike Wells and Associate Director Dr Lincoln Garland MCIEEM have provided commentary and inputs to the emerging new Strategic Ecological Framework for BREEAM.  This framework tries to bring a more inclusive approach to ecological appraisal of schemes - one that includes consideration of ecoystem services.


NaturePARIF Conference

21/09/2016

Director Dr Mike Wells attended and took part in the workshops of the NaturePARIF conference on 'Architecture and Biodiversity' in Paris. The extent and breadth of emerging green design in France is to be commended; though is still held back by the availability of native herbaceous species for habitat restoration and creation.


BbD leads Stratford East Village Tour

02/09/2016

Director Dr Mike Wells and Associate Director Dr Lincoln Garland MCIEEM led a tour of the Greenwich Peninsula and Stratford East Village (formerly Athletes Village for the 2012 Olympics) for key staff of Transport for London and a trustee of The London Transport Museum entitled 'A Walking Discussion of Ecourbanism'.


Dr Mike Wells and Oliver Prudden provide CPD session to Clifton Emery Design

22/08/2016

Directors Dr Mike Wells and Oliver Prudden provided a CPD presentation to the award-winning design practice, Clifton Emery Design in Exeter entitled 'Landscape, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services at the Heart of Sustainable Architecture and Masterplanning?' The team at Clifton Emery Design, already placing ecological considerations high in their working priorities, are keen to forge closer collaborative links with Biodiversity by Design in the coming months and years. The organisers stated: 'I wanted to let you know that you have created a real buzz in the office after yesterday's lecture, we don't come across many ecological consultants with such passion and a holistic understanding of design.'


Input to emerging BREEAM Infrastructure for the Building Research Establishment

30/07/2016

Director Dr Mike Wells assisted with the review the emerging Land Use and Ecology criteria for BREEAM Infrastructure for the Building Research Establishment.


Dr Mike Wells presents at the Water Innovation and Research Centre at the University of Bath

14/07/2016

Director Dr Mike Wells presented at the inaugural conference of the Water Innovation and Research Centre at the University of Bath to an audience of over 100 on the topic 'Addressing Climate Resilience and Sustainability in Dense Urbanism through Landscape, East Village, Stratford, London.'  Despite being near the end of the conference the presentation created considerable interest and various approaches for further information from various parties involved in sustainable urban masterplanning.


Dr Mike Wells provided a CPD presentation at AStudio Architects

06/07/2016

Director Dr Mike Wells provided a CPD presentation at AStudio Architects, London, entitled 'Green Infrastructure, Biodiversity and the Future' to over 20 staff. 

 'Thank you for presenting your work and philosophy to us today. We have a lot in common so I will endeavour to find a way to work together soon.'  AStudio Director Richard Hyams


Lincoln Garland publishes his artcle on the Case for Compact Cities

20/06/2016

Associate Director Dr Lincoln Garland published his article on the Case for Compact Cities in the Bulletin of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management: In Practice. In his article Lincoln contends that as the UK's population and housing demand increases, harm to the environment can best be avoided through well designed, sustainable, compact urban development, which promotes use of brownfield sites and avoids low-density urban sprawl. To this end, the role of the ecologist is more vital than ever to ensure that the increasingly densely populated urban realm does not become devoid of greenery and ecologically impoverished.


Dr Mike Wells at the international conference of the Academy of Urbanism in London

11/06/2016

Director Dr Mike Wells attended the international conference of the Academy of Urbanism in London and helped lead a study tour of the Greenwich Peninsula regeneration project entitled: 'Ecourbanism in Action Academy of Urbanism Visit to the Greenwich Peninsula'. The tour showcased some of the work of Biodiversity by Design in helping to deliver the dream of a lush green high density development, and the previous ecological design work Dr Wells had led in former employ to guide the creation and management of the key elements of green and blue infrastructure, including the award-winning Ecology Park.


Lincoln Garland publishes article on the Natural History of the Vale of Winscombe

10/06/2016

Associate Director Dr Lincoln Garland published his article on The Vale of Winscombe: an Unsung Natural History in the Mendip Times. In his article Lincoln describes the unique topography/geology and natural history of the Vale of Winscombe


Dr Mike Wells leads a workshop and walking tour on 'Improving the Liveability of the Denser City- Biophilic Urban Design for Redcliffe'

23/05/2016

Director Dr Mike Wells organised and led a workshop and walking tour on 'Improving the Liveability of the Denser City- Biophilic Urban Design for Redcliffe', a test-bed for Bristol at the annual conference of the Academy of Urbanism in Bristol. Partaking in this were Melissa Mean: Convenor of the Redcliffe Forum Professor Cedo Maksimovic: Imperial College London Ewan E Smith, Arup. The session was attended by the Mayor of Bristol, George Ferguson.


Dr Mike Wells provided a CPD presentation to Stanton Williams Architects

12/04/2016

Director Dr Mike Wells provided a CPD presentation to Stanton Williams Architects in London entitled 'Landscape, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services at the Heart of Sustainable Architecture and Masterplanning?' The event was attended by over 30 staff. Director Patrick Richard extended his warm thanks for a very stimulating exposition of green design.


Dr Mike Wells presented on an international URBIS webinar on Greening the Built Environment

10/03/2016

Director Dr Mike Wells took part in an international URBIS webinar on Greening the Built Environment, presenting on the topic 'Achieving Biophilic Design in Practice'. Dr Wells engaged in Q & A along with other panellists including Professor Tim Beatley author of Biophilic Cities.