REPAIR Project Showcased at “It’s Your Swansea” Event

The REPAIR research project was invited to speak at the It's Your Swansea, held at the Swansea Arena on March 12. The event, organised by 4theRegion, brought together community members, businesses, researchers and civic leaders to explore current developments in the city and discuss what kind of Swansea people want for the future.

The lively event showcased a wide range of initiatives taking place across Swansea, while also creating space for collaboration, questions and open discussion about the city’s direction. During the programme, one of the project co-leads, Dr Luci Attala, delivered a presentation introducing the REPAIR project to the audience. REPAIR is a transdisciplinary research collaboration, funded through the Arts and Humanities Research Council Mission Award and delivered by both of Swansea’s universities with University College London and a range of societal partners, including the Codi Group, Hacer Development, Swansea Council and Natural Resources Wales.

The research focuses on the BIOME - the UK’s first deep biophilic retrofit - examining its performance, the solutions it offers, the barriers people perceive around it and the values and feelings it generates among residents and the community. The project also considers how developments such as the BIOME might contribute to adaptation in the face of climate change. Located in the centre of Swansea, the BIOME building represents an innovative approach to urban design, incorporating principles of biophilic living, a design philosophy that aims to reconnect people with nature within built environments.

Following the presentation, Luci and Sol from the Codi group invited audience members to take part in a discussion, posing a simple but thought-provoking question: “How do you feel about biophilic living in Swansea City Centre?”

The question sparked lively engagement. Attendees asked about how the building works, who might live there, and what the research project hopes to learn. Many also wanted to understand what the term biophilic means and how it might shape future urban development. Participants were invited to record their thoughts on post-it notes, creating a visible collection of reactions and ideas. The responses were overwhelmingly positive, reflecting curiosity and enthusiasm about the role that nature-connected design could play in Swansea’s future.

The REPAIR team will now incorporate these reflections into their ongoing research, using public feedback to better understand how people relate to innovative urban spaces and how projects like BIOME might contribute to a more sustainable and liveable city.