Designing with Nature: Architects Rethink Homes’ Connection to Place

A transformative shift is underway in architecture as designers embrace biophilic principles—the intentional incorporation of nature into building design. This approach goes beyond sustainability, aiming to foster a deeper human connection to the environment by bringing natural elements like trees, light, water, and organic forms into homes.

Integrating Living Trees into Homes

Leading the trend, firms like ODA Architecture and KAA Design Group are embedding living trees into interior spaces. In New Delhi, ODA created a penthouse with a central courtyard dominated by a ficus tree, rooted in a sunken floor and surrounded by a reflective pool under a glass ceiling. ODA’s Ryoko Okada explains:

“There’s nothing more calming than being surrounded by nature. A living tree is a statement piece, rooted in life, beauty, and purpose. It brings joy, peace, and a daily reminder that we are part of something bigger.”

In Southern California, KAA preserved mature cork oaks in a modern home. Lead designer Grant Kirkpatrick said they had to persuade the client to keep a 300-year-old tree that blends serenity with the home’s layout.

Biophilic Elements in Design

According to Stephen Kellert’s framework, biophilic design focuses on direct experiences of nature, such as natural light, air, water, and plants, as well as indirect strategies like organic materials, natural colors, and biomorphic forms.

In practice, this can mean:

• Floor-to-ceiling glass walls to connect indoor-outdoor spaces
• Green walls, indoor gardens, and water features for wellness impact
• Organic textures and colors sourced from nature-inspired palettes

Space, Context, and Materials

Bio-inspired designs also include framing existing landscape views and designing around local flora. For instance, expansive glass openings in California homes capture mountain vistas, while architects in Costa Rica design schools that integrate local ecosystems to enhance student well-being.

Regenerative architecture champions landscape integration through rain-harvesting, green roofs, and native plantings that support biodiversity and passive cooling.

Experimental Case Studies

A great example of a similarly nature-integrated and architecturally significant building in the UAE is the Bee'ah Headquarters in Sharjah, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects.

The building exemplifies biophilic design by drawing direct inspiration from the surrounding desert dunes, allowing it to blend seamlessly into its natural environment. It is highly climate-responsive, utilizing passive strategies such as natural ventilation, thermal mass, and optimized solar orientation to reduce energy consumption in the desert heat. In terms of sustainability, the headquarters is a net-zero energy building powered entirely by renewable sources, including solar panels.

Symbolically, the structure reflects Bee’ah’s mission as a company focused on sustainability and environmental management. It represents the same principles explored in Designing with Nature, fostering harmony with the landscape, promoting environmental stewardship, and pushing the boundaries of architectural innovation.

Projects experimenting with advanced biophilic concepts include the Amazon Spheres in Seattle, a trio of glass domes housing over 40,000 plants across 400 species—as well as concept homes in Europe that merge roof canopies with transparent walls and internal ecosystems.

These projects illustrate a future where trees and greenery are woven into built environments to promote health, engagement, and ecological harmony.

Why It Matters

Biophilic design matters for several key reasons. First, it enhances well-being, as studies have shown that spaces incorporating natural elements can reduce stress, improve cognitive function, and boost mood. In terms of sustainability, integrating green features supports energy efficiency, improves air quality, and aids in storm-water management.

There's also a clear case for aesthetic innovation, where living trees and natural materials become sculptural elements, redefining expectations for residential design. Finally, such homes offer greater resilience, adapting more effectively to climate variability and environmental challenges.