AZURE Talks: The Biophilic Workplace – Azure Magazine

True biophilic design is about much more than using patterns and motifs inspired by flora and fauna — it’s about looking to nature as a blueprint for crafting entire spaces that are healthful and sustainable. With biophilic offices proven to make employees both more inspired and productive, this free talk delves into the many ways to create these communal workspaces. 

On January 12, 2023, at 1pm EST, join AZURE Editor in Chief Elizabeth Pagliacolo for an engaging conversation with Kari Pei, VP of Global Design at Interface; Stanley Sun, co-founder of Toronto’s Mason Studio; Marie-Eve Issa, founder of Montreal’s IssaDesign; and Jean Pelland, Principal Architect at Sid Lee Architecture.

Our conversation will delve into the benefits of biophilic design across all scales, from urban design and landscape architecture to interiors and product design. We’ll talk about how biophilic design benefits employees and clients alike – and, ultimately, the earth. And why it makes sense from a business point of view for any design enterprise looking towards the future of sustainability.

Kari Pei, VP of Global Product Design at Interface

Pei’s foundational approach to textile design is through the combined eyes of an engineer, artist, and environmentalist, “considering structure along with materiality, textiles impact our relationship to a space by creating the perception of depth, drawing on light, evoking emotion with colour, or sculpting surfaces with texture”. Pei believes textiles can shape how we interact with the built environment, and in having lasting positive effects on human health and wellbeing.

As the Vice President of Product Design for Interface, Pei is responsible for introducing award winning collections for modular carpets as well as resilient flooring in corporate, education, healthcare, and multi-family interiors. Prior to joining Interface, Pei served as Head of Design at Wolf-Gordon, Lead Upholstery and Wallcovering designer at Maharam, and Head of Studio at Jhane Barnes before founding REPEATnyc, a multi-discipline design studio, with design-driven brands such as Knoll, Starwood Hotels, and DesignTex among her clients.

Stanley Sun, co-founder of Toronto’s Mason Studio

Stanley Sun is a Co-Founder of Mason Studio, an international, award-winning interior design firm based in Toronto. Mason Studio’s projects range from ideas for experimental exhibitions, hotels, retail, restaurants, and multi-unit residences. Stanley has led projects in China, USA, Canada, and Europe overseeing design, management, and execution.

Formally trained in interior design, human sciences, and fine arts from academic institutions in Canada and Asia, Stanley approaches design with a holistic perspective considering how people experience and are affected by the built environment. Of particular interest is the science of light and the physiological response to lighting. This human-centered approach is a core value of the studio’s portfolio of work.

As an advocate for Canadian design discourse, Stanley has been keynote speaker at leading design conferences across Canada. He is also a sessional instructor at Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Interior Design.

Marie-Eve Issa, founder of Montreal’s IssaDesign

Marie-Eve is the founding designer at ISSADESIGN, an integrated environmental design studio based in Montreal. Sustainable design and the relationship between the environment and the individual have always been at the heart of her creative process. Over the years, she has developed an expertise in corporate design and project management. The mission of the studio is to bring society to naturally integrate design and sustainability for a greener, healthier, more beautiful world.

Jean Pelland, Principal Architect at Sid Lee Architecture

As a strong proponent of a new approach, Jean Pelland founded Sid Lee Architecture with Martin Leblanc back in 2009. Jean specializes in the development of strategic architectural solutions. He is currently managing several projects pertaining to the repositioning of various modern heritage buildings in Montreal’s business district. Namely, his team contributed to Ivanhoé Cambridge’s near-billion-dollar investment plan, Projet Nouveau Centre, which aims to revive four major real-estate properties along McGill College Avenue. This includes the repositioning of the Hotel Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth with the addition of Espace C2, and a series of renovations at Place Ville Marie, including the complete overhaul of its Esplanade and the conversion of the former royal bank halls into Sid Lee’s HQ.

Get Your Tickets! Attendance is Free!

This Talk qualifies for one ConEd structured learning hour. A certificate will be provided upon request, post-event, by e-mail.