Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sonja Bochart. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Sonja, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
My most meaningful project has been working for Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, PA. I have worked with this client for over a decade- helping support their mission to foster a greater connection between humans and the natural world and to promote social and ecological well-being. My role as a biophilic designer on a number of their buildings, including Living Building Challenge certified projects – is to help explore design strategies that connect people with the natural world. The work has included diverse biophilic design patterns, including methods such as direct connection with nature, the inclusion of water, natural habitat, and living-walls – to natural forms, multisensory art, fractal patterns, integration of local, reclaimed and natural materials, biomorphic shapes, daylight strategies, and even compelling concepts such as awe, spirit of place and refuge. Since we are estimated in the US to spend more than 90% of our time indoors, we must connect the places we live, learn, work, and heal – to nature! After all, we have spent most of our human evolution deeply interconnected and in tune with the cycles and seasons of nature. Along the way, I have had unique experiences in leading participatory teams and community biophilia workshops to help guide teams, artists, designers, and engineers – to learn how to co-create together and imagine possibilities that are unique expressions for the project and support people in meaningful ways. Working with this client has helped open me up as a designer in a purposeful way – as so many people are stressed and disconnected – and connection to nature can help physically, mentally, and emotionally mend us. Biophilic design, as I have learned working with Phipps, can also help us as humans wake-up to our inherent interconnections with the natural world and promote more care for the planet. I am so grateful to Phipps for the many opportunities to engage in work I care so deeply about.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am a designer committed to fostering health and well-being in the world. I work as a Director at a leading national architecture firm – Shepley Bulfinch, where I work as a senior interior designer, educator, workshop facilitator, and design strategist. My role includes leading Lens – a design strategy, research, and innovation-focused practice group – committed to helping our communities flourish. Often, I will work on specific projects; other times – I will help advise the design team. Design can play an influential role in our physical, mental, and emotional wellness. Shepley Bulfinch is the longest-practicing architecture firm in the U.S. – next year will mark our 150-year anniversary! I deeply value and enjoy my work at the firm, which is nationally certified as a woman-owned business. Although we work all around the U.S., with work in Europe and five studios nationwide – the firm’s culture is closely connected. Our brand promise is that we work with our clients to “design beyond.” We do this in a way that we believe each client is unique – and with caring partnerships, we can create impactful and meaningful design experiences.
Here is a talk I did a few years ago that talks about my background and the relationship I see between wellbeing and design – https://www.ted.com/talks/sonja_bochart_how_buildings_can_make_us_better
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I have unlearned the concept of the “expert” approach along my path. In my evolution as a regenerative designer committed to healthier and meaningful spaces – I now believe new ideas, innovation – and genuine creativity come from space beyond our mere intellect – and certainly don’t live solely in one person. I believe in co-creation, the power of the collective in advancing innovation and ideas, and even the importance of ritual and sacred space in the creation process. This is a liberating place to design from and inspire others to be in. In my work, this is called conscious design – and it means some of the most powerful practices I can commit to is being present, practicing mindfulness with my clients and teams – and sometimes just slowing down the design process, bringing in the power of land and place.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
During my first twenty years in practice, I worked at medium and large architecture firms, then consulted on my own for a few years before joining Shepley Bulfinch. I needed more creative expression and flexibility to pursue my interest in the relationship between design and well-being, specifically for biophilic design, living buildings, and creating places that evoke a spirit of place. For the past ten years, I have ebbed and flowed between consulting and working for design firms. I stay in tune with asking myself these questions: how can I be of my best service right now? How do I need to grow? How can I support others? There is no one right path – but I practice the process I believe in regarding conscious design, which is a living-systems approach. I try to care for my partnerships and collaborations and make decisions with the same authenticity, presence, and discovery I practice in the design process. This feels true, alive and liberating to me. It doesn’t also mean taking the easier path – growth and change is how we evolve!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shepleybulfinch.com
- Instagram: @shepleybulfinch
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/sonjabochart
- Youtube: https://www.ted.com/talks/sonja_bochart_how_buildings_can_make_us_better
Image Credits
image of house – Scott Kelly others are ok.