Urbanization has transformed our lives – in many ways, for the better. But the proliferation of grey spaces often comes at the cost of indigenous ecosystems.
Some nations, including Britain, have lost almost half of their natural biodiversity since the industrial revolution. Social and technological advancement does not need to be at odds with the natural world. On the contrary, one cannot exist without the other: the World Wildlife Fund has predicted that, by 2050, damage to ecosystems could cause a $10tn loss in the global economy.
Some contemporary innovators are recognizing this imperative partnership between the earth and ourselves, incorporating techniques that are not only environmentally friendly, but environmentally-inspired. Biomimicry is one such technique. Smithsonian Magazine describes biomimicry as the process by which creators discover technological innovations by examining the behaviors and functions of natural organisms: “We human beings, who have been trying to make things for only the blink of an evolutionary eye, have a lot to learn from the long processes of natural selection.”
Second Home is a case study in biomimicry in the workplace. Each global co-working location plays host both to entrepreneurs and creators – who take advantage of the advanced technical and social resources such as customizable work pods and access to collaborations across industries – and to urban jungles that highlight each city’s biodiversity, with some locations housing over 6,500 plants and trees indigenous to the region.
R.M. Christianson, queer author and longtime member, says, “The first time I walked in I was transported to a different world…where innovation meets nature and inspires you to go where none have gone before.”
Second Home embodies the benefits of a partnership between ourselves and our planet. It isn’t just a workspace, it is an oasis for forward-thinking to thrive; it is innovation realized.