Biophilia is a word that gets thrown around a lot in design, but when it’s applied well, it does far more than bring the outdoors in. At its best, biophilic design shapes how we feel, move and connect in a space – offering calm, rhythm, and a deeper sense of home.
As we design for a generation who are living longer, travelling further, and expecting more from their environments, biophilia offers a way to deliver not only aesthetic appeal, but also measurable benefits to wellbeing and quality of life.
What Is Biophilic Design?
Coined by biologist E.O. Wilson, ‘biophilia’ describes our innate affinity with nature. Biophilic design takes this concept and applies it to our built environments, creating spaces that echo the patterns, textures, and experiences of the natural world.
Think beyond just filling rooms with houseplants. This movement is about creating spaces that feel grounded and alive. From the warm tactility of timber underfoot to the way light travels through a room, biophilic design engages our senses in ways that are nurturing and deeply human.
Why It Matters in Later Living
Biophilic design has been shown to lower stress, improve cognitive function, encourage social interaction, and support sleep quality. But beyond the science, it taps into something intuitive: the way we want to live.
For residents who have spent decades immersed in culture, travel, and beautiful design, expectations are high. Biophilic principles guide us to create environments that are both emotionally resonant and physically supportive, both now and in the future.
Designing with Biophilia in Mind
Here’s how we apply biophilic principles to create exceptional later living environments – private and shared.
- Work With Light, Not Just Layout
Natural light is one of the most powerful mood enhancers we have – and it becomes even more vital in later life, when circadian rhythms can become disrupted.
- Use floor-to-ceiling glazing where possible in communal lounges and dining spaces.
- Orient seating areas to make the most of morning or afternoon light.
- Layer diffused lighting and soft shadows to mimic the changing tones of daylight, rather than relying on static, uniform lighting.
- Make Nature Part of the Architecture
Landscaping shouldn’t be an afterthought. The most successful schemes integrate it from the start – blurring the boundaries between inside and out.
- Incorporate courtyards, roof terraces, winter gardens and framed views.
- Use architectural planting that offers seasonal variation, texture and colour – even when viewed from indoors.
- Consider multi-sensory gardens that offer scent, sound, and touch, creating moments of engagement and ritual throughout the day.
- Materials That Speak to the Senses
Tactility becomes increasingly important with age, but also adds depth and elegance at any stage of life. Natural materials like oak, stone, linen, and brushed metals have a timeless appeal – and they age beautifully.
- Prioritise materials with a natural grain or variation – perfection can feel cold, whereas slight irregularities lend warmth and character.
- Avoid synthetic finishes that feel flat or clinical. A softly honed marble or warm clay-toned tile will resonate far more in a high-end later living context.
- Design for Flow and Refuge
Biophilic design recognises the need for both openness and intimacy. In later living environments, this means creating places where people feel connected – but also have the freedom to retreat.
- Introduce subtle zoning in open spaces with screens, planting or changes in flooring.
- Carve out small nooks and quiet corners – ideal for reading, reflection or one-on-one conversation.
- Design for gentle wayfinding, using light, texture and framed views to intuitively guide movement.
Biophilic Design Isn’t a Trend – It’s a Philosophy
As later living evolves, so too should the spaces we create. Biophilic design offers a framework that supports longevity – not just in how long people live there, but in how deeply they connect with their surroundings.
At its core, it’s about recognising that wellbeing isn’t a checklist. It’s something people feel in their bones when a space just works – calm without being bland, elegant without being formal, and rooted in something more natural than style alone.
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