Green Biophilic Living Society - GBLS

Green Biophilic Living Society - GBLS The Green Biophilic Living Society is a non-profit member movement.

We exist to advance biophilic living across Africa — through community, advocacy, knowledge, and the annual Conference & Expo.

06/08/2026

Exhibitor Spotlight | Bamboosa Green Living

At Bamboosa Green Living, sustainability isn't just a concept. It's a building material.

Driven by a passion for renewable construction, Bamboosa Green Living is advancing the use of bamboo as a beautiful, durable, and low-carbon alternative for the built environment. Their work showcases how sustainable materials and African craftsmanship can come together to create healthier, climate-resilient spaces.

We're excited to welcome Bamboosa Green Living as an exhibitor at the GBLS Africa Biophilic Building Conference & Expo 2026, where they'll be showcasing their innovative bamboo building solutions and sustainable products.

But that's not all. Bamboosa Green Living's Founder, Flora Awiro, will also take the stage as one of our conference speakers, sharing insights into the role of renewable materials, circular construction, and nature-inspired innovation in shaping Africa's built environment.

This is your opportunity to hear the vision, then experience it firsthand.

Visit the Bamboosa Green Living exhibition stand to explore sustainable bamboo solutions, connect with the team, and discover how renewable materials are helping build tomorrow, naturally.

Dates: 13–14 August 2026
Venue: National Museums of Kenya
Register today: https://lnkd.in/dy9takJK

Come for the conversation. Leave inspired by what's possible when we build with nature.

06/08/2026

What if planting trees could cool our cities by over 20°C?

Nature isn't just beautiful. It's one of our most effective design partners.

In this example, a restored forest reduced temperatures from 52°C to 30°C while dramatically improving how quickly water infiltrated the soil. The result? Cooler microclimates, healthier ecosystems, and a natural way to reduce flooding.

These are the principles behind biophilic design and biomimicry. Designing with nature instead of against it.

When we create spaces that support biodiversity, we also create healthier, more resilient places for people.

This is one of many conversations we'll be exploring at the GBLS Africa Biophilic Building Conference & Expo 2026, where global experts and African innovators will share practical solutions for designing a regenerative future.

Nature has already solved many of the challenges our cities face. The question is: are we paying attention?

Join the conversation at GBLS Africa 2026 and register here: https://lnkd.in/dy9takJK

Meet Our Speaker | Galgalo Abdi RashidCan we create the future without understanding our past?  At the heart of biophili...
05/08/2026

Meet Our Speaker | Galgalo Abdi Rashid

Can we create the future without understanding our past? At the heart of biophilic design is a simple but profound idea: our buildings should be rooted in the landscapes, cultures, and histories that shape us.

We're honoured to welcome Galgalo Abdi, Assistant Director, at the National Museums of Kenya, as a speaker at the GBLS Africa Biophilic Building Conference & Expo 2026. In his role, he champions the stewardship of Kenya's cultural heritage, recognising heritage not only as something to preserve, but as a foundation for education, identity, sustainable development, and future generations.

It is therefore fitting that this year's conference will be hosted at the National Museums of Kenya, an institution that safeguards our nation's cultural, historical, and natural heritage while advancing research, conservation, and public education.

As we explore the theme "Building with Nature & Culture," there could be no better setting. Because biophilia is more than integrating nature into our buildings. It is about honouring place, preserving culture, learning from indigenous knowledge, and designing spaces that strengthen our connection to both the natural world and our shared heritage.

Join Galgalo Rashid Abdi and an inspiring lineup of thought leaders as we explore how Africa's rich cultural and ecological heritage can inform the next generation of resilient, occupant-focused, and climate-smart built environments.

Dates: 13–14 August 2026

Venue: National Museums of Kenya

Register today: https://lnkd.in/dy9takJK

Because the future of design begins by understanding the stories that came before us.

05/08/2026

Would you heat your shower with firewood?

Sometimes, the most sustainable solutions aren't the most complex. They are the most intentional.

In this short clip, Thomas Omollo shares how firewood is thoughtfully used to heat water at his off-grid home, demonstrating that conscious design is about working with nature and available resources, not against them.

It's a reminder that sustainability isn't one-size-fits-all. It's about designing solutions that are practical, context-specific, and resilient.

Curious to see the bigger picture? Catch the full interview on YouTube at https://youtu.be/6Bp8U2Kx2lA?si=_HvlIitt7fU8M4k3 and discover how Thomas is reimagining architecture, off-grid living, and regenerative design.

And the best part? You'll have the opportunity to meet Thomas Omollo in person at the GBLS Africa Biophilic Building Conference & Expo 2026, where he'll share more insights on designing spaces that reconnect people with nature.

Dates: 13-14 August

Venue: National Museums of Kenya

Registration Link: https://lnkd.in/dy9takJK

Meet Our Speaker | Arch. Patrick Karugo M.How do we create buildings that are not only functional and resilient, but als...
04/08/2026

Meet Our Speaker | Arch. Patrick Karugo M.

How do we create buildings that are not only functional and resilient, but also environmentally responsible? These are some of the critical conversations that Arch. Patrick Karugo will bring to the GBLS Africa Biophilic Building Conference & Expo 2026.

With over 23 years of experience spanning architectural consultancy, project development, environmental planning, and project management, Arch. Karugo has helped shape projects that balance development with environmental stewardship. Beyond practice, he is a Lecturer at the The Technical University of Kenya (TUK) and serves as CPD Director and Education Board Member at the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS) - Kenya, where he contributes to advancing professional excellence within Kenya's built environment.

As Africa embraces healthier, more resilient, and climate-smart development, his expertise at the intersection of architecture, environmental governance, professional education, and sustainable development couldn't be more relevant.

A special invitation to BORAQS members: As a valued partner of the conference, BORAQS members will earn 10 CPD points by attending the two-day event. It's a chance to engage with leading architects, engineers, planners, developers, policymakers, researchers, and sustainability practitioners from across Africa and beyond as we explore the future of biophilic, regenerative, and climate-responsive design.

Dates:13–14 August 2026
Venue: National Museums of Kenya
Register today: https://lnkd.in/dy9takJK

Join us in shaping a built environment that puts people, nature, and resilience at the heart of design.

Exhibitor Spotlight | Green Heart Kilifi At Green Heart Kilifi, regeneration isn't a buzzword. It's the foundation.As Ke...
04/08/2026

Exhibitor Spotlight | Green Heart Kilifi

At Green Heart Kilifi, regeneration isn't a buzzword. It's the foundation.

As Kenya's first master-planned eco-town, Green Heart Kilifi is creating a community where development works with nature. Their vision includes low-density neighbourhoods, walkable communities, indigenous tree conservation, solar-powered infrastructure, regenerative farming, and 70% of the land permanently protected as green space.

The result is a place designed to leave both the environment and the people who live there better than they found them.

Their philosophy is simple: Don't build on top of nature. Build around it.

That's why we're excited to welcome Green Heart Kilifi as an exhibitor at the GBLS Africa Biophilic Building Conference & Expo 2026.

Visit their exhibition stand to discover how regenerative planning, conservation-led development, renewable energy, and nature-positive communities are redefining what sustainable living can look like in Africa, buy land and join the community while at it.

Whether you're an architect, planner, developer, investor, policymaker, or simply passionate about the future of our cities, this is an opportunity to engage with one of Africa's most inspiring regenerative developments.

Dates: 13-14 August,2026
Venue: National Museums of Kenya
Register today: https://lnkd.in/dy9takJK

04/08/2026

For over 25 years, Kitengela Glass has transformed 10% recycled glass into handcrafted works of art. That same pioneering mindset found a natural partner in Procera Gin, a proud brand that has taken African botanicals to the global stage while championing sustainability through responsible sourcing, using handcrafted recycled glass bottles from Kitengela Glass, and planting a tree for every bottle sold. Amazing, right?

Together, they remind us that the most meaningful innovation happens when creativity meets collaboration.

We're proud to welcome Kitengela Glass Glass and Procera Gin as sponsors of the GBLS Africa Biophilic Building Conference & Expo 2026.

And here's a little something for the gin enthusiasts... Join us during our networking session for an opportunity to enjoy a Procera Gin tasting experience, served in the iconic handcrafted bottles and glassware that tell this remarkable Kenyan story. Because great conversations deserve an equally great drink.

Whether you're coming for the ideas, the connections, the exhibitors, or the gin (we won't judge), this is where Africa's built environment community comes together.

Register today and experience innovation, craftsmanship, and unforgettable networking, all under one roof here: https://lnkd.in/dy9takJK

23/07/2026

2025 Conference Highlight |

Can a simple deck of cards change the way we think about the world?

One of the standout moments from last year's GBLS Africa Biophilic Building Conference introduced attendees to Cards for Life, a practical framework for Living Systems Thinking that encourages us to shift our perspective from seeing isolated objects to understanding the relationships that connect people, nature, and the built environment.

Rather than offering ready-made answers, Cards for Life creates a shared language for deeper conversations, helping individuals, teams, and communities make sense of complex challenges and design more regenerative futures.

Whether you're an architect, designer, educator, policymaker, business leader, or sustainability practitioner, this approach reminds us that lasting change begins with how we see, think, and collaborate.

As we look forward to GBLS Africa Biophilic Building Conference & Expo 2026, we're revisiting the ideas that continue to shape conversations around regenerative design and systems thinking across Africa and beyond.

Event: Africa Biophilic Building Conference & Expo 2026

Date: 13–14 August 2026 | National Museums of Kenya

Register: https://lnkd.in/dPhVDN3i

21/07/2026

How can we restore ecosystems while strengthening livelihoods?

Thiong'o Gachie is a Regenerative Agriculture Consultant, agroecology practitioner, and permaculture designer with over nine years of experience designing and implementing regenerative agriculture projects across East Africa. His work spans Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Somalia, the DRC, and beyond, helping communities restore degraded landscapes, strengthen food systems, and build climate resilience using locally available resources.

At the Africa Biophilic Building Conference & Expo 2026, Thiong'o will share how regenerative thinking extends beyond agriculture, offering valuable lessons for creating healthier, nature-positive communities where people and ecosystems thrive together.

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