Living Future Hero Series: Bert Gregory

Over the next few weeks, we will run a Q+A blog series showcasing the ten incredible change-makers who represent our 2019 Living Future Heroes. Introducing Bert Gregory, Partner at Mithun:

Q: How did you become involved with ILFI?

A: I’m currently involved as juror for the Stephen Kellert Biophilic Design Awards, as a member of the Cascadia Congress, and recently participated in a Biophilic Design Toolkit Workshop, led by ILFI.

Q: What was your “aha” moment that inspired you to join this movement / become involved in ILFI programs?

A: It was a natural evolution from early involvement in green building to my involvement with ILFI. After seeing groundbreaking work in the green building I saw inspiration of a structured path beyond green building.

Q: How did your background lead to where you are in your career now?

A: I’ve always been an outdoor enthusiast, forever marveling at the beauty of the natural world and its ecosystems. But I also love great cities and urban life. As an architect and urban designer, I have attempted to make a city function and feel like being in the natural world.

Q: How do you see yourself creating a Living Future in the next 5 years? How have you in the past 5?

A: The next five years, as have the last five, will be focused on impacting various levels of Policy that preclude or hinder advancement of an equitable Living Future for all, advancement of Biophilic Design at various scales, and creating great urban places where people and nature thrive.

Q: What is your Call to Action for the green building community? (or our wider society? or budding leaders in this movement?)

Designing policy, is as important as the design of a project. Find the roadblocks to a Living Future, and use your creative talents to design the policy that accelerates positive change.