Michael Pawlyn Keynote Speaker

A World Leading Thinker in Sustainable Design
Thought Leader in Biomimicry
Part of the Core Team that Designed the Eden Project

Michael Pawlyn's Biography

Michael Pawlyn is an architect and design innovator who takes cues from nature to make new, sustainable environments. He has been described as an expert in regenerative design and biomimicry.

Michael established his firm, Exploration Architecture, in 2007 to focus on high performance buildings and solutions for the circular economy. The company has developed a ground-breaking office project, an ultra-low energy data centre, a zero waste textiles factory and progressive solutions for green cities.

Prior to setting up Exploration, he worked with Grimshaw for ten years and was central to the team that designed the Eden Project. He is regularly booked as a keynote speaker on innovation and his TED talk has had over 2 million views.

Michael jointly initiated the widely acclaimed Sahara Forest Project; the latest version of which was opened by the King of Jordan in 2017. In 2019 he co-initiated ‘Architects Declare a Climate & Biodiversity Emergency’ which has spread internationally with over 7,000 companies signed up to addressing the planetary crisis.

Since 2018, he has been increasingly providing advice to national governments and large companies on transformative change. His book ‘Biomimicry in Architecture‘ has been RIBA Publications’ best-selling title. His book, titled ‘Flourish: Design Paradigms for Our Planetary Emergency‘, co-authored with Sarah Ichioka, was published by Triarchy Press in December 2021.

From sustainable to regenerative – the next essential shift for business.

Biologically inspired innovation.

Rising to the challenge of the planetary emergency.

How change happens and how to transform our agency.

He brings world-leading authority in regenerative design and biomimicry, shaped by his role on the core team behind the Eden Project and his pioneering architectural practice.
He translates lessons from nature into practical strategies for buildings, cities and systems that radically reduce energy use, waste and environmental impact.
He offers rare insight into transformative change from advising governments and major organisations on responses to the climate and biodiversity emergency.
His talks equip leaders to rethink innovation, moving beyond sustainability toward solutions that actively restore ecosystems and long-term resilience.

Videos of Michael Pawlyn

Why Biomimicry is the Smarter Way to Design? ft. Michael Pawlyn

Regenerative architecture with Michael Pawlyn

TEDtalk: Using Nature's Genius in Architecture (2010)

Biomimicry - A Regenerative Paradigm | Michael Pawlyn | Energy Disruptors UNITE | EDU2019

Biomimetic innovation (2014)

Articles, Media & Podcasts

Podcast | Flourish Systems Change

Books by Michael Pawlyn

Biomimicry in Architecture

Biomimicry in Architecture

Flourish: Design Paradigms for Our Planetary Emergency

Comments & Testimonials

“One of the finest talks I've ever seen on nature and design”

Amory Lovins Chairman and Chief Scientist, Rocky Mountain Institute

“We asked Michael to give an opening keynote for our most important event of the year - a three-day conference attended by 250 of our most senior colleagues. He rose to the challenge brilliantly with a talk that was informative, inspiring and energising”

Siobhan Oates Group Head Sustainable Development, Anglo American

“Your talk was a tremendous inspiration to all and the response has been fantastic. Personally it was the best presentation I have ever experienced - thank you Michael.”

Torben Thyregod Jensen VELUX A/S X lab

“Michael was fantastic! The audience absolutely loved his lecture. Couldn’t have been a better way to launch the series.”

Colleen McLaughlin Natural History Museum of Utah

“Michael, Thank you! It was a very inspiring talk and you received very positive feedback from many of the participants. Well done!”

Allan Jaenicke McKinsey & Company (Event organizer)

"Michael was excellent. There was lots of glowing verbal feedback on him with a lot of questions at the end. Personally, I really love the positive and practical approach to sustainability that he promotes and the sheer beauty of nature which he expresses through his excellent slides. Very well done."

Helen McGing Citywire

“Thank you for your contribution at the CE100 Annual Summit, the feedback has been exceptional with many people commenting that your talk was a particular highlight.”

Stuart Whitman Ellen MacArthur Foundation

“Two of the cultural stand-outs of the year were the products of visionaries — individuals creating worlds at the edges and the in-betweens of standard practice. A lecture by Michael Pawlyn during the London Festival of Architecture energised the audience with case studies demonstrating the radical potential of a generative, rather than a restrictive, approach to design that surpasses “sustainability”

Sarah Ichioka Head of The Architecture Foundation in Building Design’s Review of the Year