Ann Vanner

What if our buildings and our education systems were designed to support life, not just performance?

Longer thoughts are now live on Substack.
Shorter reflections will land here.

#Biophilia #ArchitecturalTechnology #HealingBuildings #BuiltEnvironment #EducationAndDesign #PayingAttention

Biophilia starts with a simple shift: treating buildings as living neighbours,not silent objects.Check out my substack on reflections on a workshop we did years ago.
@biophilia-etc.bsky.social
@biophiliccities.bsky.social
@healingbuildings.bsky.social

#theschoolofbiophilila

Exploring making as choreography, how the design of a workshop, a conversation, or a space can all serve the same purpose: creating the conditions for understanding.
@ciatechnologist.bsky.social
@livingfuture.bsky.social
@healingbuildings.bsky.social
@ecologicalcitizen.bsky.social

Sharing turns moments into movements.

@healingbuildings.bsky.social
@centreforcities.bsky.social
@sharethecities.bsky.social

#Collaboration #CreativeExchange #CommunityOfPractice #SmartCityExpoMiami

Making a noise isn’t bragging — it’s gratitude in motion. Me getting an award!!!
#SmartCityExpoMiami
#ArtAndProcess
#DesignInMotion
#CreativeReflection
#IdeasInProgress
#EverydayCreativity

@smartcityexpo.bsky.social
@smartcities.bsky.social
@asbpuk.bsky.social
@ciatechnologist.bsky.social

I don’t design buildings — I make them, because making is about listening, not control.
#CreativePractice
#AnnVanner
#MakeShareTeach
#StudioNotes
#ThinkingThroughMaking
#SlowWork
#CreativeCommunity
#Collaboration
#CreativeExchange
#CommunityOfPractice

So much data, so many opportunities — but the real work of design is remembering we build for people and nature, not just systems.
@fengshuihealing.bsky.social
@thegreenregister.bsky.social
@edinuni-irr.bsky.social
@crtd-tud.bsky.social
@regenerationeac.bsky.social

The future of cities will not just be built — it will be imagined, layer by layer, by all of us

Reimagining urban life starts with the stories we share and the perspectives we bring together.

Imagine if every child grew up in a home designed to nourish their senses — what kind of world would we be building then?

I'm speaking at SMART CITY EXPO MIAMI 2025 – RE:IMAGINE URBAN SPACES this October 6–8.
In my workshop Urban Layers, I’ll explore how the physical, digital, and emotional dimensions of cities shape resilience, sustainability, and quality of life.

SmartCityExpoMiami.com

Day 02 Week 04

Zero carbon isn’t a checklist—it’s a cultural shift.
We learn our way into it, one conversation, one project, one unlearning at a time.

@myzerocarbon.org
@lowcarbonproject.bsky.social
@teachingchange.bsky.social
@timeshighered.bsky.social

Carbon is invisible — and that’s been part of the problem.

Design for Life = climate action + human wellbeing.

Let’s make it visible.

#NetZero
#DesignForLife
#RegenerativeCommunities

@myzerocarbon.org
@designingbuildings.bsky.social
@thegreenregister.bsky.social

Good ingredients make good cake—and good communities. The Declare Label is our recipe for building regeneratively, one transparent product at a time.
#DeclareLabel
#RegenerativeRecipe

@livingfuture.bsky.social
@scotecodesign.bsky.social
@doughnuteconomics.bsky.social

What’s in the Walls?
Day 02 of Week 03
Education is a bakery. The #Declare label tells us what’s in the cake—and why it matters for trust, learning, and regeneration.
#DeclareLabel
#EducationForTheFuture

@regenerativenow.bsky.social
@architecturetoday.bsky.social
@thegreenregister.bsky.social

Would you eat a cake full of chemicals?
No?
Then stop building homes with them.
Declare shows us the ingredients. Read more on my Substack
#Declare
#HealingBuildings
#DesignForLife

@sustmeme.bsky.social
@architectsdeclare.bsky.social
@biophiliccities.bsky.social

Day 02 — Pattern 2: Non-Visual Connection with Nature 14 Patterns in 14 Days: A Biophilic Countdown to the Burnley Mela

Day 02 — Pattern 2: Non-Visual Connection with Nature
open.substack.com/pub/theschoo...

We talk about “community engagement,” but what about community accountability?

The #JUSTLabel helps us track the numbers.
But regenerative practice lives in how we build trust, redistribute power, and show up with care — over time.

#JUSTLabel #RegenerativeDesign #WhatWeOweEachOther

Day 02 of Week 02
Justice work starts by seeing what we’ve normalised — the #JUSTLabel helps us name harm, so we can start to heal it.

Imagine a future where buildings don’t just protect life — they honor it.

Buildings shouldn’t just reduce harm — they should grow health, joy, and equity. That’s the promise of regenerative, community-led design. #LivingBuildingChallenge

Buildings shape our health, equity, and climate—time to learn how. Full piece on learning as a catalyst for change is live: open.substack.com/pub/annvanne...

Design for Life: How Buildings Support Real Health and Wellbeing Day One of Week One: Architecture for Our Health

Starting a 6-week writing series on regenerative design, healthy buildings, and the Living Building Challenge.

Day 01 of Week 01

No fluff. open.substack.com/pub/annvanne...

@healingbuildings.bsky.social this is bound to be of interest to you and what you’re trying to do!

Why I’m Saying No — and What I’m Saying Yes To I've decided to press pause on the noise and give my head a wobble.

I’m stepping back and revisiting the Living Building Challenge and 11 key ideas that shape regenerative design.
Weekly reflections on Substack open.substack.com/pub/annvanne... #EducationForRegeneration

#RegenerativeEducation
#SystemsThinkingDesign
#HeadHeartHands
#rebelwithacause

Friday Re:Frame – The Fun, The Friends, and The Frustrations of Net Zero

Friday Re:Frame – The Fun, The Friends, and The Frustrations of Net Zero We have the knowledge, we have the solutions—now we just need the will to act.

@tabithabinding.bsky.social
@debbieanadapta.bsky.social

open.substack.com/pub/annvanne...

January Journey Day 18: Lessons for Life, Architecture and Connection

I thought I knew it all. Now I know the beauty of never stopping learning. #architects, #architecturaltechnolgists #educators, and #dreamers:

If you want to read the full list then go to my annvanner.substack.com/publish/home

January Journey Day 17: Applying Global Frameworks for Everyday Impact

17 Goals, Infinite Possibilities:

The 17 SDGs aren’t just global goals—they’re the blueprint for creating a sustainable, connected, and resilient world, starting with us. annvanner.substack.com/publish/home

January Journey Day 16: 16 Things I’ve Learned So Far on This Journey

(How to Love, Hate, and Survive the Creative Process at 5:00 AM)

Day 16 of this creative journey—embracing the messiness, joys, and lessons along the way. Read more about what I’ve learned so far on my substack.com/home

January Journey Day 15: Biophilia in Design, Education, + Consultation

Harnessing Nature’s Power to Inspire

substack.com/home

#UnconventionalThinking
#Undisciplined
#RebelWithACause
#FlexibleThinking
#BreakingTheNorms
#BuildingDiversity
#MadeByDyslexia
#TenderPunk
#JanuaryJourney