UGREEN Mentorship

Completed Metorship: Biophilic Design

We recently wrapped up our Practical Biophilic Design Mentorship, focused on applying the 14 patterns of the Terrapin Bright Green methodology — if you missed it (and you’re a Pass subscriber), here’s a quick recap:

Class 1 — Nature in the Space (Patterns 1 to 7)

• How to incorporate vegetation, water, natural light, and fresh air into projects;

• Real impact on well-being, focus, and productivity;

• Tools to measure and enhance the connection with nature.

Class 2 — Natural Analogues and Nature of the Space (Patterns 8 to 14)

• How nature-inspired forms and materials create comfort and emotional value;

• Strategies to foster refuge, curiosity, and sensory experiences;

• Practical metrics and real-world examples across different project types.

Next Mentorship: Natural Lighting in Practice

On September 16 and 30 — Exclusive to UGREEN Pass subscribers.

In this next mentorship, we’ll get straight to the point:

• How to assess natural light availability in spaces;

• Strategies to avoid glare and improve lighting performance;

• Project analysis + validation with simulations;

• A practical, interactive class with active students participation.

Secure your access now!

Subscribe to UGREEN Pass to join our next mentorship and unlock access to many other sustainability-focused contents!

History

Timbuktu: When Manuscripts Were Worth More Than Gold

What was once of immense value in the heart of West Africa in the 16th century is almost hard to believe today. For a time, books there were considered far more valuable than gold itself.

Even more so considering Africa’s role at the time as a major supplier of gold, with trade routes connecting African and Asian empires to gold-rich regions such as Sofala and the Niger River basin.

This happened in Timbuktu, a city that, at the height of the Mali Empire, became one the greatest centers of knwledge in the world. There, the trade of books was highly valued that some manuscripts cost more than horses. And we’re not talking about ordinary content: these were advanced tratises on mathematics, philosophy, medicine, astronomy and poetry — ancestral knowledge carefully recorded on parchment and imported paper from North Africa.

Three major universities — including Sankoré — formed an educational complex that rivaled European universities of the time. It is estimated that between 300,000 and 700,000 manuscripts circulated throughout the city.

But what happened?

With the arrival of colonization, Timbuktu was erased from history books. Many manuscripts were looted, burned or sold — not because they were irrelevant, but precisely because they contradicted the colonial narrative of an Africa “without history”.

This erasure was no accident. It served to reinforce control over knowledge and, consequently, over power itself.

And why does this matter today?

The struggle for knowledge continues. Even today, those who control the production and access to knowledge shape the future of the planet. Recovering stories like Timbuktu’s is not about looking back with nostalgia.

It is a way to reclaim the right to imagine and build plural futures, where different cultures, knowledge systems, and ways of living can coexist with dignity.

Local projects are still working to preserve and digitize the surviving manuscripts, proving that the history of knowledge goes far beyond what textbooks have told us so far.

A reflection emerges

If we want to change the way the world builds, we must also change what we value as knowledge.

What others stories have been erased? What tradicional wisdom are we failing to hear? How can we build — both literally and symbolically — on the foundation of a more just and complete memory?

UGREEN Pass

Tired of “trying” to be sustainable without seeing results?

Sustainability is a valuable asset, but most companies and professionals still treat it as a puzzle. They invest time and resources, yet the lack of a clear plan causes their efforts to scatter into isolated actions — without generating real impact or financial return.

If you’ve ever asked yourself “Where do I start?”, “What really matters?”, or “How can I turn this into an advantage for my career or business?” — you’re not alone!

The UGREEN Pass is more than consultancy; it’s a navigation map. Our approach doesn’t hand you ready-made solutions but instead builds a customized plan that identifies your current position and outlines the ideal path forward. It was designed to eliminate uncertainty and give you:

• The exact direction for your next step;

• Focus on initiatives that bring the highest return;

• The confidence to stand out and become a market reference.

Don’t waste your time on trial and error. The positive impact market is growing, and having a strategic plan is the key to positioning yourself ahead of the competition.

Schedule a conversation with our team. The goal is simple: to show you how the UGREEN Pass can turn your good intentions into tangible results!

Filipe Boni
UGREEN