Oliver Heath is a qualified Domestic Energy and Green Deal Assessor and is passionate about sustainable design and how this can affect people’s wellbeing. His human-centred biophilic design approach seeks to reduce stress by strengthening human connection with nature to improve physical and mental wellbeing in our home and workspaces.
He studied architecture at Oxford Brookes University and then completed a postgraduate in architectural studies with a distinction at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London. He went on to work in the exhibition and set design industry before winning the BBC’s Young Designer of the Year award in 1998. Following this, he set up the interior and architecture practice, Blustin Heath Design, with business partner Nikki Blustin.
With over 30 years of industry experience, as well as a wealth of media and research experience, Oliver Heath has firmly secured his spot as a leading expert within the industry.
Contact Great British Speakers today to book building sustainability speaker Oliver Heath for your next event.
Oliver Heath has worked on architectural projects for a variety of small, medium and large companies such as Barratt Homes, Bio Regional and ING Real Estate, creating practical and beautiful sustainable designs. He also worked with Islington Council to design their Sustainable Living Centre. Oliver moved to Brighton, started a family and set up his own company, Heath Design Ltd, where he works on a variety of schemes such as community centres, commercial and domestic projects and restaurants.
Oliver has been involved in numerous television projects in the UK and abroad including BBC’s Home Front (1992-1997; 2996-2000), Changing Rooms (1996-2004; 2021) DIY SOS (1999-) and Heaven and Earth (1998-2007), Channel 4’s From House to Home (2002) and the Discovery Channel’s Dream Homes (2014), as well as Tid for Hjem (2004-) on Norway’s TV2 channel. Through his media work he makes a positive commitment to discussing sustainability and demonstrating how people can make it part of their lifestyles without compromising on their sense of style.
Oliver has written columns for publications such as The Observer, Friends of the Earth, House Beautiful, Earth Matters and Move & Improve magazine. He has released a number of books about home design and style including:
– The Home Book (2004): Oliver has produced a one-stop guide to interiors and individual home design.
– Front of House (2005): A tie-in with Oliver’s ITV1 series about revamping the front of your house.
– Urban Eco Chic (2008): Defines the practical and aesthetic issues surrounding eco interiors and describes his theories as how to create them. It has been translated into over seven languages.
– Design a Healthy Home: 100 Ways to Transform Your Space for Physical and Mental Wellbeing (2021): Using the latest evidence and research in well-being and biophilic design, learn how to transform every space in your home to create a restorative and nurturing environment.
Oliver also contributes articles to industry publications; he partnered with global flooring company Interface to create their Creating Positive Spaces series which helped designers develop their understanding of biophilic design and building with health and wellbeing in mind.
In 1999, Oliver, along with business partner Nikki Blustin set up Blustin Heath Design, which is now run by Nikki as Director. In 2006, Oliver co-founded EcoCentric.co.uk, on online ethical retailer dedicated to interior products reflecting Oliver’s urban eco chic style. Oliver set it up as a response to a need for beautifully designed products for the home that were also sustainable. After five years of trading, EcoCentric was sold on. Heath Design Ltd was set up in the late 1990’s/early 2000’s which focusses on designs that help the wellbeing of people and the planet.
Oliver regularly presents seminars on the subject of sustainable homes and lifestyles at prestigious home design events such as 100% Design, EcoBuild, Grand Designs Live, the Ideal Home Show and the National Home Improvement Show. He also works for the Eco Trail at Clarion events Top Drawer and Pulses trade shows at Olympia.
With an established TV and print profile, Oliver offers broadcasting, editorial and public speaking skills for a variety of live events. He has hosted a number of events and award ceremonies across a variety of industry sectors over the years, bring a sense of occasion with warmth and charm. From developing scripts to managing the stage, participants and audience, his approach will bring an experienced hand to your event.
He has hosted award ceremonies including The Pea Awards, the Sunday Times British Homes Awards, The Edie Awards, Resource Revolution Awards and the K&B Awards. He has also hosted a number of live and online events, panel debates and workshops, engaging thought leaders in discussion around sustainable design and wellbeing. This includes events for the likes of Schneider Electric, Blue Air, V-Zug and is also a regular face at the annual Planted Cities exhibition in London.
Oliver’s practice combines interior architects and psychology and sustainability researchers, combining an evidence base of research with cutting edge design thinking. He spends a lot of his time lecturing architects, interior designers and built environment professionals all over the world.
Oliver has presented well over 300 wellbeing CPDs (Continuing Professional Development) to architects and interior designers, and has acted as a spokesperson for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, The Energy Saving Trust and the Waste Recycling Action Group. He regularly presents seminars on sustainable homes and lifestyles at home design events.
CLIENTS
Barratt Homes, Bio Regional, Bloomberg, Booking.com, the Crick Institute, Earthborn Paints, Homebase, Interface, ING Real Estate, Islington Council, the Geffrye Museum, John Lewis, Pilkington Glass and Unilever.
He puts his money where his mouth is and refurbished his Brighton home to promote the concepts of “practical and style-led sustainability” to a wide audience, demonstrating principles of low energy living, reuse and ingenious recycling. His house was awarded Super Home status by the Sustainable Energy Academy for reducing its carbon emissions by over 75% and in 2011, was awarded the British Institute of Interior Design’s Retrofit award.
Oliver’s long-standard career has made him a well-known and respected figure within the industry. As an experienced public speaker, he is able to communicate about sustainable design and lifestyles in an accessible and approachable way. His style is both authoritative and authentic, often citing real-life examples as ways of embracing and tackling the challenges that we face.
Great conference speech by Oliver Heath.
Mickael Cornou, Marketing Manager, France at Interface
So inspiring listening to Oliver Heath.
Catherine Ross, Planet PR
Oliver Heath was the best keynote speech of the day at Wellness 17.
Kate Taylor FRICS, APC Coach & Valuation Training Consultant
We had the pleasure of having Oliver Heath presenting a seminar during our internal Sustainability Exhibition. The issues of sustainability and biophilic design were beautifully outlined by Oliver with all our questions being answered in a professional and friendly way.
Fosters and Partners
Really happy, very positive feedback from delegates regarding his talk.
Katie Whitehouse, BeaconHouse Events, BIM Show Live 2020