Africa hasalways livedbiophilically.
The 2026 Africa Biophilic Building Conference & Expo gathers architects, designers, and thought leaders from across the continent to explore building with nature, culture, and ecological intelligence.
Featured location
Nairobi, Kenya
Two days · Conference + Expo
Confirmed partners
In good company
Who will be in the room
Built environment, policy, finance, and the next generation.
- Developers, contractors, and real-estate professionals
- Banks, insurance, and financial institutions
- National and county government (Built Environment, Housing, Culture, Health, Education)
- Architects, planners, engineers, interior designers
- Universities, schools, and students
- Mental health and wellness practitioners
- Community organisations and NGOs
- Material manufacturers and green-product innovators
- Development partners, foundations, and DFIs
Conference theme
Creating resilient, occupant-focused, & climate-smart assets in Africa's built environment.
Two days of guided conversations, practical biophilic experiences, structured peer networking, moderated discussions, and creative engagement.
Format
- ·Keynote addresses & plenary panels
- ·Curated panel discussions aligned to the seven sub-themes
- ·Hands-on workshops & biophilic exercises
- ·Deliberate networking & group dialogues
- ·Biophilic marketplace & exhibitions
- ·Student & youth engagement sessions
13–14 August 2026 · Nairobi, Kenya
Building With
Nature & Culture.
Two days of guided conversations, expert panels, immersive biophilic experiences, and structured peer networking — Africa’s practitioners convening to build with nature, culture, and ecological intelligence.
- Dates
- 13–14 Aug 2026
- Location
- Nairobi, Kenya
- Format
- Conference + Expo
- Audience
- 250+ delegates
Counting down
Registration handled by our event partner (Event-Mojo).
Why we convene
The mandate — objectives and outcomes.
Objectives
- ·Advance biophilic design as a climate, health, and social-justice strategy for Africa's built environment.
- ·Influence policy, standards, and practice toward nature-integrated and people-centered development.
- ·Showcase African-led projects, materials, and indigenous knowledge systems.
- ·Facilitate cross-sector partnerships between government, private sector, academia, and communities.
- ·Position Africa as a global leader in culturally rooted biophilic and regenerative design.
Expected outcomes
- ·Strengthened policy and professional dialogue on biophilic design and healthy buildings in Africa.
- ·New partnerships, MoUs, and pilot project collaborations.
- ·Increased adoption of biophilic principles in buildings, schools, workplaces, and communities.
- ·Amplified African narratives in global sustainability and design discourse.
- ·Capacity building for youth and professionals in nature-based design.
Conference subthemes
Seven conversations
that shape a continent.
Six curated panels + a closing fireside chat. Each pairs Africa’s leading practitioners with global voices and ends with open Q&A.
- 01
Nature-Centred Building Design as an Asset Value Strategy
Long-term value, resilience, risk reduction, and future-proofing.
- 02
Nature-Positive Materials & Healthy Building Assets
What buildings are made of and how materials affect people and planet.
- 03
Nature as a Competitive Advantage
Why nature-integrated developments perform better.
- 04
Biophilia for Resilience — Equity, Inclusion & Environmental Justice
Ensuring access to nature for all communities.
- 05
Building for Identity, Culture & Memory
Architecture that reflects place, people, and heritage.
- 06
Designing for Health, Healing & Wellbeing
How nature-integrated spaces improve physical, mental, and social health.
- 07
Regulation, Policy & the Future of Nature-Centred DevelopmentFireside chat
Fireside chat closing day one.
Two days
Conference program.
Day 1 — Foundations, Policy & Healing
Indoor sessions + Exhibition · Evening cocktail at the National Museums.
- 8:00 – 9:00
Registration & Biophilic Arrival Experience
- 9:00 – 9:45
Opening Ceremony & Keynote Speeches
Building for Life — why biophilia is Africa's climate, health & justice tool.
- 9:50 – 11:10
Session 1 — Nature-Centred Building Design as an Asset Value Strategy
Long-term value, resilience, risk reduction, and future-proofing.
- 11:10 – 11:30
Tea Break & Exhibition Walk
- 11:30 – 12:50
Session 2 — Nature-Positive Materials & Healthy Building Assets
What buildings are made of and how materials affect people and planet.
- 12:50 – 14:00
Networking Lunch
- 14:00 – 14:35
Session 3 — Nature as a Competitive Advantage
Why nature-integrated developments perform better.
- 14:35 – 16:00
Fireside Chat — Regulation, Policy & the Future of Nature-Centred Development
- 16:00 – 17:00
Parallel Workshops
Sustainable & nature-centred innovations showcase.
- 17:00 – 17:30
Evening Tea
- 17:30 – 20:30
Museum Cocktail & Networking Night
Hosted at the National Museums grounds. Informal networking, cultural immersion, and sponsor recognition.
Day 2 — Identity, Justice & Immersive Practice
Morning indoor sessions · Afternoon outdoor immersion · Closing plenary.
- 8:00 – 9:00
Arrival & Morning Nature Activation
- 9:00 – 10:20
Panel 4 — Biophilia for Resilience (Equity, Inclusion & Environmental Justice)
Ensuring access to nature for all communities.
- 10:20 – 10:40
Tea Break & Exhibition Walk
- 10:40 – 12:00
Panel 5 — Building for Identity, Culture & Memory
Architecture that reflects place, people, and heritage.
- 12:00 – 13:00
Panel 6 — Designing for Health, Healing & Wellbeing
How nature-integrated spaces improve physical, mental, and social health.
- 13:00 – 14:00
Networking Lunch
- 14:00 – 16:00
Immersive Biophilic Field Experience
Guided groups across the National Museums, Michuki Memorial Park (bamboo and nature-based structures), tree planting & outdoor reflection, plus the Snake Park & Aquarium for biodiversity context.
- 16:00 – 16:30
Evening Tea
- 16:30 – 17:30
Closing Plenary — Back at the Museum
Building Forward — commitments, policy pathways, and the future. Session reflections, policy brief & next-steps, partner acknowledgements, closing remarks.
From last year
Scenes from the 2025 Conference.
Register
Take your seat at the table.
Two days. 24 speakers. 20 exhibitors. A continent in attendance.
Register nowTickets
Six ways to attend.
What you get
Attendance benefits.
- →Curated networking with 200+ industry professionals, decision-makers, and influencers
- →Active participation in high-value conference sessions
- →Inclusion in a legacy movement shaping the future of the built environment
- →Earn recognised industry CPD points
- →Exclusive attendee discount on the Biophilia Certification Course
- →Full digital access to the official conference e-magazine and post-event content
- →Access to selected speaker presentations and session materials (post-conference)
- →Certificate of participation
- →Priority access to future GBLS and partner-led events
Sponsor · Collaborate · Partner
Interested in standing with the movement?
Sponsorship packages, ecosystem partnerships, and brand collaborations are tailored case-by-case.
Write to us→info@greenbiophiliclivingsociety.com