William McDonough – Design is the first signal of human intention
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Welcome to The Daily Quote – a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I'm your host, Andrew McGivern, for June 6th.
Now, you may not have marked this one in your calendar, but today is World Green Roof Day. That’s right – a day dedicated to celebrating those beautiful, plant-covered rooftops that are as good for the planet as they are for the soul. They're like nature’s way of saying, “Okay, humans, I’ll meet you halfway—just give me a little soil and I’ll do the rest.”
Green roofs are more than just trendy Instagram backdrops or secret hideouts for urban squirrels. They help reduce heat, filter rainwater, and even lower energy bills. If you’ve ever wanted to save the planet without having to leave your building, a green roof is basically your superhero cape.
So with that in mind, today's quote comes from architect and sustainability advocate William McDonough, who said:
“Design is the first signal of human intention.”
Let that one sink in for a moment. Design is the first signal of human intention.
When you think about it, a green roof is a design that tells the world, “I care.” It’s a signal—subtle, leafy, and sometimes crawling with bees—but a signal nonetheless. It says, I intend to live in harmony with nature, not just in spite of it. It’s a bit like planting a garden and shouting, “Look at me being responsible!”—but with better insulation.
So today, whether you’ve got a rooftop garden or just a humble windowsill herb setup, think about the ways your surroundings reflect your intentions. What are you designing in your life, consciously or not? Are you building spaces that nurture growth—both for the planet and for yourself?
And if you happen to live in an apartment complex with a tar roof the temperature of the sun, maybe just start with a plant. One plant. It’s like a green roof, but more… portable.
That's all for now... I'm Andrew McGivern signing off for today but I'll be back tomorrow, same pod time, same pod station with another Daily Quote.