A Biophilic Design Studio Rooted in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Our work is grounded in a simple belief: people feel better when nature is part of the spaces they move through each day. Plants are not just decorative to us. They are living systems that shape how environments feel, function and evolve over time.
A Woman- and Black-Owned Studio
Meet the duo behind Foster Spaces.
founder & biophilic designer
Maria Zimmer
Maria Zimmer is the CEO and co-founder of Foster Spaces, where she leads the studio’s biophilic design strategy, plant sourcing, and long-term care systems. Her connection to nature began early, shaped by time spent in her family’s garden, and later sharpened by experiencing how disconnected spaces can feel without living systems in place.
With a background in Business Intelligence at Haworth and consulting at Deloitte, Maria brings a systems-driven, data-informed approach to plant design. She treats plants as living infrastructure—considering light, growth patterns, maintenance rhythms, and how people move through space—so environments continue to support well-being long after installation.
At Foster Spaces, Maria designs living environments, oversees sourcing with designers and wholesalers, and builds the internal systems that ensure clarity, consistency, and care across every project. Known for her organized, thoughtful leadership, she translates complexity into human-centered design solutions that are both beautiful and operationally sound.
Guided by curiosity and a commitment to continual learning, Maria designs spaces that feel calm, grounded, and alive. Places that quietly improve daily life and strengthen the relationship between people and the environments they inhabit.
Connect with Maria
co-founder & Creative director
Elbert D. Foster
Bert Foster grew up in Detroit, where access to green space was limited and nature often felt out of reach. It wasn’t until college—walking through a campus shaped by trees, open air, and natural rhythm—that he began to understand how profoundly environments influence how we feel and think.
That experience stayed with him. Once you feel the calming, grounding effect nature has on the nervous system, it’s hard to ignore.
With over a decade of experience shaping brand identities and culture, Bert brings a creative, human-centered lens to biophilic design.
Foster Spaces emerged at the intersection of these worlds — applying the principles of strong brand storytelling to the creation of living environments that feel intentional, grounded, and enduring.
As Creative Director, Bert ensures the studio’s ethos is clearly expressed across every touchpoint — from visual storytelling through photography and video, to language, brand design, and spatial narrative.
His work focuses on capturing how spaces feel, not just how they look.
Connect with Bert
Partners in Business and in Life
Foster Spaces grew from our life together — from shared curiosity, a love of nature, and the belief that environments shape how we feel, think, and live.
Together, we bring balance to every project: systems and storytelling, structure and creativity, strategy and intuition.
Working side by side allows us to move with trust and clarity, designing spaces that feel intentional, grounded, and alive.
If you’re interested in collaborating, partnering, or simply connecting, we’d love to hear from you.
Ready to make the world a greener place?
