The secret to feeling good naturally in your new build is to embrace biophilic design. Biophilic design recreates nature-inspired calm, inside your home. Connecting with nature has proven health and wellness benefits, including lower blood pressure, improved cognitive function, and enhanced creativity.
New-build homeowners are at an advantage to create a wellness-focused home. Many of the most effective biophilic design elements are best done during construction. New-build homeowners also can use a whole-home approach to biophilia, rather than decorating a few spaces in the style.
While the neuroscience behind why biophilic design enhances wellness is complex, the design process for your new home is simple. Think about natural elements that are restorative and translate them into interior design choices.
“Biophilic design is about creating environments that mirror nature's rhythms, offering a sense of safety and belonging. It is important to look beyond aesthetics and explore ways to foster a physical and emotional connection to the natural world,” says WELL and LEED accredited interior designer Sarah Barnard.
From layout to finishes and features, here is how to maximize biophilic benefits with your new build.
1. Floorplans that Flow
Authentic biophilic experience in a new build starts with a floor plan that makes the most of natural influences.
“Floor plans that encourage fluidity between indoors and out, offer views of natural elements, and provide variation in space tend to support biophilic design goals well. Layouts that incorporate transitional zones, such as covered patios, courtyards, or garden-facing hallways, facilitate a sensory and seasonal connection to nature,” says Barnard.
Variation in spaces and living conditions is a subtle, but important, aspect of replicating the outdoor experience. Nature is dynamic, with light, air, color, and landscapes changing frequently depending on time of day or season. An open floor plan offers that variety and is also light and airy, much like being outdoors.
2. Introduce and Guide Natural Light
Natural light is one of the most important factors in biophilic design. The most obvious way to introduce natural light is by incorporating lots of windows (a recommended, value-add upgrade for new-build homes at the construction phase). Having abundant, strategically placed windows also helps with cross-ventilation, bringing a soft, natural breeze into your home.
Beyond windows, look at other features that will invite light inside, such as skylights or light shafts (also known as light wells). Light shafts alternate light and shadow by design, closely mimicking outdoor light conditions as they change throughout the day.
With a new build, you may have the opportunity to position your new home on the lot. “Orienting the home to follow the path of the sun allows us to harness morning and afternoon light with intention, offering warmth and rhythm throughout the day,” says Barnard.
For maximum biophilic benefit, create pathways for the light to travel efficiently and naturally throughout your home. Barnard recommends:
Windows above doors or interior glass partitions help share light between rooms.
Light-colored, matte finishes on walls and ceilings help diffuse daylight softly, reducing glare and creating a more soothing atmosphere.
Motorized shades or layered window treatments are a practical and beautiful way to help modulate light levels throughout the day without disconnecting from the outdoors.
3. Choose Finishes with Fractal Patterns
Fractals are repetitive patterns that occur in nature: honeycomb, leaves, flower petals, snowflakes, raindrops, clouds, waves, tree branches, and more.
The predictability of fractal patterning is inherently soothing. Over time, the human brain has become hardwired to identify and scan these simple patterns and associate them with safety.
“Beautiful examples of fractal patterns can be found in textiles, wall coverings, and tilework, reflecting the intricacy and order that are also found in nature. I encourage my clients to prioritize handmade ceramics, woven fabrics, or carved wood elements that are subtle and emotionally grounding,” says Barnard.
When choosing finishes and fixtures in your new build, incorporate fractal patterning with:
Natural-grained wood cabinetry.
Natural stone, with veining.
Leaf or tree patterns in stair rails.
Water-themed light fixtures.
Honeycomb-patterned backsplash.
Wavy tile accent wall.
4. Use the Prospect/Refuge Dynamic
One of the lesser known, but effective elements of biophilic design is the prospect/refuge dynamic. This goes back to hunter/gatherer origins, where open space outdoors made it easier to find food, but also left you exposed to elements and predators. Biophilic design strives to strike a balance between the two.
“The prospect/refuge dynamic is the ability to see out (prospect) while feeling protected (refuge). It's a pattern that emerges across natural landscapes, such as with a tree canopy. When integrated into home design, the prospect/refuge dynamic can provide a deep sense of comfort,” says Barnard.
Create spaces that are open, but snug for safety. Barnard recommends:
Window seats.
Built-in reading nooks.
Cozy alcoves tucked beneath stairs that create a feeling of enclosure while maintaining views outward.
Covered or shaded porches.
Balconies.
Large picture windows, with dark, contrasting trim to frame the view.
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