David's Vlog

The Scientific Proof of Biophilic Design featuring Professor Richard Taylor

From the Edge is a web video series from wakaNINE & David Trubridge Design, featuring conversations that David Trubridge will have over the coming weeks with guests from the global design world. What role can (and should!) design play to define and drive the new “un-normal”?

LEARN MORE AT wakanine.com/from-the-edge

Professor Taylor is an academic expert in chaos theory, fractals and the relationship between art &science. At the University of Oregon, he is a Professor of physics, psychology and art as well as the director of the Materials Science Institute. Richard’s research focuses on “bio-inspiration” in which artificial systems benefit from using nature’s patterns (fractals and chaos). His two biggest projects are 1) Using bio-inspired retinal implants to restore vision to victims of retinal diseases and 2) Using bio-inspired fractal images to reduce people’s stress levels. He uses computer analysis to study and authenticate art works and Richard is considered the leading expert on the artist Jackson Pollock. He also looks a little bit like Robert Plant…hey, hey mama!

We are excited to have Jason F. McLennan on board for an upcoming episode of From The Edge! Considered one of the world’s most influential individuals in the field of architecture and green building movement today, Jason is a highly sought out designer, consultant and thought leader around the planet. He is the recipient of the prestigious Buckminster Fuller Prize (the planet’s top prize for socially responsible design). He has been called the ‘Steve Jobs’ of the green building industry, a “World Changer” by GreenBiz magazine and has been selected as the Award of Excellence winner for Engineering News Record – one of the only individuals in the architecture profession to have won the award in its 52-year history. He has been selected by Yes! Magazine as one of ‘15 people shaping the world’ and works closely with world leaders, Fortune 500 companies, leading NGO’s, major universities, celebrities and influential development companies – all in the pursuit of a world that is socially just, culturally rich and ecologically restorative. Jason is an accomplished author with numerous publications. His work has been published in dozens of journals, magazines and newspapers around the world.

Ghislaine Viñas is an internationally published, award winning design studio specializing in residential, hospitality and workplace interiors, product design, branding and creative direction. A strong believer in “the aesthetics of happiness”, Ghislaine Viñas launched her career designing commercial office spaces and later established her eponymous firm in 1999. Since then the studio has completed projects ranging from apartments, lofts, houses and estates to offices, hospitality and private yachts. Ghislaine Viñas has become a force in the product design industry, due to their innate understanding of the community’s design trends and buying needs; established companies look to the firm to design new and exciting products, including textiles, wall-coverings and furniture. The multifaceted team works on all aspects of projects from conception to installation. Their in-house branding department provides a strong branding package as part of their offering. Ghislaine Viñas is driven daily by her passion for design, color and unique attitude towards problem solving. Her team thrives on collaboration and experimentation in conceiving design solutions for a wide range of clients.

Recognized as an industry leader in health and wellness design for the workplace and home, Laura Britt heads one of the region’s most successful and versatile full-service interior design firms. Ms. Britt, a registered interior designer, also holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Texas School of Architecture with an emphasis in sustainability. In addition to managing her design practice, she founded her own American-made, modern furniture company focused on creating low-emitting healthy furnishings for use in commercial and residential settings. Previously in her career, she successfully managed and designed large-scale commercial interior design and architecture projects as the Interior Designer for the Air Force Academy. She and her firm have extensive experience in Residential, Multi-family, Student Living, Commercial Offices, Hospitality, as well as Governmental and Higher Educational projects. She currently serves on the Advisory Council for the University of Texas School of Architecture and supports education about health, wellness, and sustainability as related to the built environment. She resides in Austin, TX in a LEED Platinum certified home with her family.

Danu has a Bachelor of Design in Interior Architecture and a Masters in Architecture from Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand. Upon completion of her education Danu moved to New York City in 2011 and began her career in residential Design and Architecture for David Howell Design while also developing independent projects, most notably the New York City based cafe Happy Bones as well as retail and residential spaces. In 2014, Danu joined the Parts and Labor Design team. As Design Director, she is deeply involved in all aspects of the firm, overseeing daily operations and projects alongside co-founders Andrew and Jeremy.