by Bridgitte Alomes | Nov 24, 2022 | Inspiration
Why conscious buying is more than choosing green products. Black Friday kicks off the global holiday shopping season, and it is obviously impossible to ignore. Many retailers are pondering if this year’s average spend will be lower due to high inflation and a looming...
by Bridgitte Alomes | Oct 18, 2022 | Inspiration
Due to timeline and distribution complexities created by the pandemic many schools are having to make choices about outfitting their learning environments for September right now and very fast. That is a lot of pressure on educators and administrators at a time when...
by Bridgitte Alomes | Aug 1, 2022 | Inspiration
People kept asking me, “How do you make time for self-care?” After getting asked enough times, I wanted to go deeper and study more about creating a Culture of Care + Connection for myself and the people in my life. This idea of Culture of Care + Connection is ever...
by Bridgitte Alomes | Jun 30, 2022 | Inspiration
Fortunately, sustainability in education has grown a huge amount in the last few years. Whether that’s creating more energy-efficient schools, providing cleaner air, or increasing environmental education. But there’s a long way to go. There is still a...
by Bridgitte Alomes | Jun 2, 2022 | Inspiration
As a young mother, when your child is sick from exposure to a toxic chemical, a plethora of emotions floods your system. Over ten years ago, that mother was me. I had all of those emotions as my little boy had an adverse reaction to a toy in his learning environment....
by Bridgitte Alomes | Nov 10, 2021 | Inspiration
With my upcoming webinar exploring a case study around indoor/outdoor learning studios, along with the increase in questions around the benefits of outdoor learning, I thought I’d collect some resources that may be of value to others looking into this subject....
by Bridgitte Alomes | Oct 22, 2021 | Inspiration
Whole school sustainability has a range of meanings. As a designer or planner of built educational environments how does one deliver a successful project when creating a sustainable school or learning environment? As the Founder and CEO of Natural Pod this has been my...
by Bridgitte Alomes | Sep 9, 2021 | 2020 Best Stories, Inspiration
With a return to school, or if not school certainly a return to learning – we know it will look very different for everyone, especially with discussions around where learning is even taking place for some. Understandably concerns around safety are front and center....
by Bridgitte Alomes | Aug 25, 2021 | Inspiration
If you’re here, you may already know Natural Pod creates high-quality, non-toxic wood furniture for early learning and K-12 learning spaces with an emphasis on beauty, functionality, and environmental awareness. I’d like to expand on those last three points and what...
by Bridgitte Alomes | Jul 28, 2021 | Inspiration
Only two weeks ago my team completed Natural Pod’s first Indigenous Learners Ideabook, and I couldn’t be more pleased. It’s been a while in the making and the end result allows us to share some fantastic Indigenous learning spaces, the stories behind them and why as a...
by Bridgitte Alomes | Jun 29, 2021 | Inspiration, LIVE
Natural Pod™ LIVE Episode Six is available to watch! If you are in any way connected to educational architecture, design or planning, this episode with Kate Mraw, Design Director at LPA Design Studios (LPA), is an absolute must watch! Kate shares so much insight...
by Bridgitte Alomes | Jun 28, 2021 | Inspiration
With our virtual bags packed, my colleague Kelly Rosensweet and myself have headed to the Green Schools Conference along with the Green Schools National Network team. The conference is taking place today and tomorrow – June 28th & 29th, both as half days....
by Bridgitte Alomes | Jun 11, 2021 | Inspiration
We are emerging from a year that presented new learning challenges and opportunities. While learning did not cease to take place, it shifted to new topics and new locations. Looking ahead, the value of learning outdoors and true outdoor learning will continue to hold...
by Bridgitte Alomes | Jun 1, 2021 | Inspiration
This week, a project that I know well and is close to my heart won an Education Facility Design Award. Presented by the AIA (The American Institute of Architects) and its Committee, the benefactor is LPA Design Studios for the creation of the Environmental Nature...
by Bridgitte Alomes | May 25, 2021 | Inspiration
It seems decision time has come a little early this year, with many of you being called upon to make choices now that will shape the new school year in September. Though these decisions will impact students long past a school year, they have the power to positively...
by Bridgitte Alomes | Apr 27, 2021 | Inspiration
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Raised by a single mother alongside four other children. A dedicated mother, who pursued quality education and care for each of her five children, no matter the costs. Ashanti continued on to pursue an education in early childhood...
by Bridgitte Alomes | Apr 7, 2021 | Inspiration
It’s been incredible to witness the resilience of educators during this last year and their commitment to their students well-being, both academically and with a deep care for their emotional states and individual circumstances as well. Not that the Natural Pod...
by Bridgitte Alomes | Mar 15, 2021 | Inspiration, LIVE
Welcome back; Natural Pod™ LIVE Episode Two is available to watch! Bridgitte Alomes, Natural Pod’s CEO and Founder had the privilege of speaking with Jill Ackers-Clayton, Senior Learning Designer with award-winning education design firm Fielding International on this...
by Bridgitte Alomes | Jan 12, 2021 | Inspiration
With a new year comes new and re-energized conversations about the direction of education. Due to the unexpected additional challenges that developed because of covid, these conversations are encompassing even more facets than usual and a heightened sense of...
by Bridgitte Alomes | Nov 29, 2020 | 2020 Best Stories, Inspiration
Sustainability and student equality are interlinked; one cannot succeed without the other. Sustainability in education is not only about being green, but lives at the intersection of ecological, economic and social sustainability; it’s that combination that has the...
To refresh or replace, that is the question
Nurture your inner storyteller and create cozy firepit seating with our Evergreen Shelving Collection
Yes, it’s true! We’re now B Corp certified… What does it mean for you?
A year in review: 2022
Not perfect, just a little better!
What we’re reading: We Want A School!
To set students up for success, learning spaces can’t be an afterthought
Learn more about the dynamic A4LE conversations helping shape better learning environments 
What we’re reading: Design Thinking for School Leaders
Help us win ‘Best of Year’ design award for our beautiful learning table with its own innovative sustainability story
Deepening the conversation of how we can all impact students’ learning experiences
Expanding students’ environmental awareness through sustainability stories
Discussing the importance of learning space design at the Interior Design Show
What we’re reading: The Future of Smart
Using business as a force for positive change – Join the conversation