Living in Costa Rica, we are very connected to nature. We live in a very precious part of the world, alive with incredible biodiversity and part of a complex ecosystem. As a designer, I try to respect and protect our environment wherever possible, and also, integrate a home as well as I can into this world, blurring the line between indoors and outdoors.
Biophilic Design is the practice of connecting people to nature within our homes, workplaces and communities. The objective is simple, to create a livable, direct and daily experience with nature through design. The elements of biophilic design comprise light, air, water and plants. I’ve designed houses specifically around interior and exterior gardens that flow into and around the home. I prefer not to create large lawns or extensive areas of manicured plantings, instead I try to respect the unique features of each lot, protecting native plants, and introducing species that interact naturally with wildlife. Kitchen gardens can be integrated into the landscape as well, so that they’re both beautiful and productive.
Most of the houses I work on here have walls of windows that open, usually to an outdoor pool area. I try to break up large expanses of patio with built-in planters or planted areas with lighting. I create landscapes that move “through” the house to include indoor gardens, water features and wellness-focused bathrooms which transform into outdoor showers, baths, yoga or private meditation spaces.
There are practical considerations, including water management both indoors and outdoors, on the property itself, reclaiming it where possible. Water is both nourishing and potentially damaging so I build in drip irrigation, which directly applies water where it needs to go, and inside, I ensure proper light and ventilation to lower the humidity.
Our homes should work with, not against, nature and I really believe that light, air, water and plants are critical to healthy living. Go on and breath in that freshness!
