Biomimicry Chicago’s mission is to learn from nature, cross-pollinate innovative ideas, inspire locally attuned design, and accelerate the path to a more sustainable Chicago. Toward that end, we:

• • Facilitate a growing network of professionals and students
  • Develop initiatives to transform our built environment
  • Design and facilitate biomimcry-based workshops
  • Speak to public and private audiences
  • Partner with local design organizations to bring biomimicry content to the people who will use it

We are deeply embedded in the local design industry and current and past collaborators include the United States Green Building Council – Illinois Chapter, the American Institute of Architect Chicago Committee on the Environment, and the Living Building Challenge Collaborative: Chicago. We also reach out to local institutions and non-profit groups to provide content and experiences for the general public, including Great Lakes Chicago Bioneers, the Oak Park Conservatory, The Lurie Garden and the Chicago Center for Green Technology.

Biomimicry Chicago is a local node of The Biomimicry Institute's Global Biomimicry Network.

Amy Coffman Phillips is a licensed architect, consultant, and educator with expertise in biomimicry and systemic resilience. She is a Network Leader at Biomimicry Chicago, a local node of the global biomimicry network, and the creator of their Deep Roots Initiative. This initiative seeks to establish a science-based definition of sustainability that references the local ecology of the Chicago region to set measurable performance standards for the built environment. Amy is a Certified Biomimicry Professional, Naturalist and Educator with The Conservation Foundation, Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG), and a LEED Building Design and Construction (BD+C) Professional. Through strategic planning facilitation, immersive outdoor experiences, and hands-on project assistance, Amy brings together diverse, interdisciplinary groups to help businesses, communities, and organizational leaders embed sustainable resilience into strategic planning and strategy.

 

Rachel is an innovative systems thinker rooted in the firm belief that life-centered design will lead us to a sustainable future. She is a Biomimicry Chicago Network Leader and co-creator of its Deep Roots Initiative. Rachel is also the creator of Think Biomimicry, a blog and resource website that aims to enable people to shift from biomimicry-based ideas to implementation to game-changing disruption. As a biomimicry expert and thought leader, Rachel develops and facilitates biomimicry-based workshops and design charrettes, conducts original biomimicry research on the topic of disruptive innovation, and provides other related services including private and public speaking engagements. Rachel holds a Master of Science in Biomimicry, and is a Certified Biomimicry Professional (CBP), Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP) and project manager with over 14 years of experience focusing on sustainability, innovation and environmental consulting.