“The Human Nature story really began with our work in Greenpeace in the 1980’s. It was an extraordinary time to be an activist as it felt the world was shifting its axis towards a new and perhaps permanent planetary consciousness. Its work is evidently not finished yet. Our new campaign is to use the medium of place-making to create an inherently sustainable built environment and use the unique opportunity it offers to inspire and help people to live better.”
Michael Manolson, Founder and Non-Executive Director
Our route to becoming a developer is long and probably a bit boring, so we’ll keep it short.
We began as campaigners, became advisers to landowners, investors, government and developers. We tried ‘development’ in a JV with a mainstream property PLC, but decided that the only way to deliver exceptional sustainable new places, was to do it ourselves.
Poachers turned gamekeepers or the other way around?
Human Nature’s roots are in direct action environmental campaigns. The Founders were both directors and international trustees of Greenpeace.
Human Nature moves to Lewes!
Human Nature relocates from Malmö, Sweden to Lewes High Street
Hethel, Norfolk
5,000 radically affordable homes in a new community in Norfolk
Gomm Valley
Community Engagement Festival
Little Haldens, Gomm Valley
1,000 homes in a new sustainable community in a beautiful Chiltern Valley
Masterplan for Little Holland
2,000 homes in a mixed-use, riverside scheme in Norwich
Vision for Manydown, Hampshire
21st-Century Urban Neighbourhoods for Grosvenor
Sustainability, masterplanning and public realm work for Capco at Earls Court
Phase 1 private residential development, North-West Cambridge
Placed 2nd in developer competition.
Sustainability Futures for Argent
All public consultation and sustainability strategy for the London 2012 Olympic Legacy
Beeston Park
Outline planning consent for 3,500 homes in a mixed-use urban extension to Norwich
Visioning for the City of Newcastle
Sustainability strategy for Audi (UK) & Premier League
Development strategy and plans for redundant sites for Northumbrian, Essex and Suffolk Water
Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan for the City of Manchester
Public consultations and framework designs for the Scottish & Newcastle Brewery site for the City of Newcastle
Master planning and community engagement for Walker Riverside for the City of Newcastle and PfP
Harlow North – a 25,000 home urban extension for the BP pension fund with the Prince’s Foundation and Savills
Sustainability and place-making support to New East Manchester (regeneration company)
Sustainable development strategy and action plan for the Housing Corporation and guide to sustainable development for Housing Associations
UK strategy for the public understanding of climate change; building a consortium of groups and businesses, setting the ambition and plan
Beyond Green is formed
The Earth Centre
National Millennium project
Advisory Board, World EXPO 2000
Greenpeace HQ, Islington, London
First green refurbishment of a commercial office in the UK
Deputy Director General ICLEI, United Nations
