Biophilic Region Charlottesville-Albemarle County

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BIOPHILIC REGION CHARLOTTESVILLE-ALBEMARLE COUNTY:
A VISION FOR A NATURE-CONNECTED FUTURE 
EXHIBITION
FRI, SEPT 12 – SUN, OCT 12
CAMPBELL EAST WING GALLERY

OPENING EVENT & RECEPTION
FRI, SEPT 19, 5PM
CAMPBELL 158

This exhibition explores how Charlottesville and Albemarle County could pioneer the world’s first Biophilic Region—a model for integrating nature into urban and regional governance. Building on the global momentum of biophilic urbanism, the region is uniquely positioned to redefine what it means for cities and landscapes to serve as multispecies habitats.

Featured is a regional asset analysis developed in Fall 2024 by students in Mona El Khafif’s Urban Strategies course, examining biophilic potential through seven lenses: recreation, water management, land conservation, agriculture, sustainable development, cultural heritage, and wildlife. Complementary projects by faculty and students across the School highlight design research at multiple scales and disciplinesfor improving the environment for humans and non-humans alike. Together, these works imagine nature-connected futures where cities and regions are not merely inhabitable for people, but for all life forms.  

Curatorial Team:
Mona El Khafif, Associate Professor of Architecture and Urban + Environmental Planning, Urban Design Program Director, UVA
Joyce Fong (MLA '25)
Julia MacNelly (MLA '25)
Katherine Shi (BS Arch '25)

The opening event is free and open to all; please register at the link below to allow for the planning of seating and refreshments. 

VIRTUAL PANEL 01: BIOPHILIC MATERIAL RESEARCH
FRI, SEPT 26, 12PM
ZOOM (LINK TO COME)

Presenters: 
Ehsan Baharlou, Assistant Professor of Architecture, Director, Computational Tectonics Lab, UVA
Katie MacDonald, Assistant Professor of Architecture, Director, Before Building Laboratory, UVA
Kyle Schumann, Assistant Professor of Architecture, Director, Before Building Laboratory, UVA

Moderator: 
Mona El Khafif, Associate Profesor of Architecture and Urban + Environmental Planning, UVA 

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Left–right: Parklett Chair (2020) by Katie MacDonald and Kyle Schumann; cross-section of earthen structure with living building materials, courtesy of Ehsan Baharlou.

VIRTUAL PANEL 02: BIOPHILIC TACTICS
TUE, SEPT 30, 11:30AM
ZOOM (LINK TO COME)

Presenters: 
James Barnes, Assistant Research Professor, NC State University College of Design
Mona El Khafif, Associate Profesor of Architecture and Urban + Environmental Planning, UVA  

Moderator: 
César Lopez, Assistant Professor of Architecture, UVA

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Left–right: Pop-up nature preserve at Harrisonburg's Keister Elementary School (2023) by James Barnes. Photo: Dan Addison, University Communications; 10-Mile Garden Project by Mona El Khafif, Marcella Del Signore, César Lopez, and Anesta Iwan, Courtesy of Mona El Khafif.

VIRTUAL PANEL 03: BIOPHILIC BUILDING BLOCKS
WED, OCT 15, 6PM
ZOOM (LINK TO COME)

Presenters: 
Tim Beatley, Teresa Heinz Professor of Urban + Environmental Planning, Executive Director, Biophilic Cities Network and Center for Forest Urbanism, UVA
Karen Firehock, Lecturer, Urban + Environmental Planning, UVA, Executive Director, Green Infrastructure Center
Bev Wilson, Professor of Urban + Environmental Planning, UVA

Moderators: 
ARCH/PLAN 5614 Urban Strategies students and instructor, Mona El Khafif

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Aerial views of the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers at the University of Virginia (left) and farmland in central Virginia. Photos: Woody Wingfield, AeroWingVA LLC

Supported by the Jefferson Trust.