Shai van Vlijmen

Shai van Vlijmen is a biophilic architect and the founder of NarrativA architects, a leading firm specialising in ecological and biobased architecture. He develops sustainable design and construction strategies that are not only environmentally responsible, but also biobased and biophilic.

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About Shai van Vlijmen

Expertise

Shai van Vlijmen is a biophilic architect and founder of NarrativA architects, a leading firm specialising in ecological and biobased architecture. For more than twenty years, he has been pioneering the development of sustainable design and construction strategies that are not only ecologically responsible, but also explicitly biobased and biophilic.

With a background in physics, Shai combines scientific precision with design vision: he understands the building physics properties of biobased materials in detail and translates that knowledge into innovative solutions for new construction and renovation. His projects, from passive houses to nature observatories, demonstrate how comfort, health and beauty can go hand in hand with sustainability.

System change

As an active member of the Association for Integral Bio-Logical Architecture (VIBA), Shai is committed to the structural transition to biobased construction in the Netherlands. He develops and gives lectures and training courses that contribute to this change, including the popular three-day course Better Biobased and the Masterclass Biobased Construction in Practice (in collaboration with the BNA Academy). These training courses are highly regarded within the Dutch construction sector for their practical applicability and inspiring content.

Inspiration

Shai not only designs biobased buildings, but also works on a broader mission: knowledge sharing, inspiration and collaboration. He openly shares his expertise with colleagues, educational institutions and companies, and his enthusiastic presentations and concrete examples bridge the gap between ideals and practice.

The biophilic narrative, which reflects real life in an extraordinary way by connecting countless aspects of it, should not be reduced to a superficial sales pitch. It requires knowledge, content and integrity.

At a time when the sustainable transition is more urgent than ever, an inspirational session with Shai offers insight, energy and direction. A real must-have for anyone who wants to redefine the future of construction.

Shai has given lectures at municipalities, educational institutions, (construction) companies, architectural firms and conferences such as Houtdag, SPRYG Real Estate Academy and many more.

Specialist Subjects

Bio-based architecture is much more than just building with renewable materials such as wood, fiber crops or natural insulation instead of fossil or chemical materials. Bio-based architecture offers surprising opportunities: with an integrated design approach, you can bring the power of nature into your building.

With a good holistic design you create a healthier indoor climate: the relative humidity remains stable, fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released into the air, less mechanical heating or cooling is needed, and the well-being of the users is enhanced.

The bio-based way of building is very suitable for new construction of homes, schools, daycare centres and offices. For renovation or restoration projects, the vapour-open bio-based construction (with its capillary properties) is also ideally suited.

In my lecture I will take you into the world of bio-based building. We explore how a design that respects both people and nature can significantly improve our living and working climate.

The built environment greatly influences our well-being: our health, concentration, productivity and stress levels. Often we don’t realize it, yet we spend more than 90% of our time indoors. Biophilic design offers powerful solutions. By integrating natural materials, daylight, greenery and other elements of nature into the built environment, we can improve well-being and health, both now and for future generations.

A healthy home or office environment is worth its weight in gold: employees feel fitter, creativity increases, absenteeism decreases, energy and productivity rise, and people are happier and more satisfied, both at work and in their private lives.

In my lecture I will take you into the world of biophilic and bio-based design. We explore how architecture that respects both humans and nature can lead to designs that are not only beautiful, but also support well-being, health and sustainability.

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