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How to Design a Biophilic Community
Nestled in the Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia, is Serenbe, the biophilic community leading the wellness real estate and agrihood movements. It is a neighbourhood focused on wellbeing, full of fresh food and fresh air. This community is set among acres of preserved forests and meadows with miles of nature trails that connect homes and restaurants with arts and businesses.
Importantly it is a real-world example of Biophilic Design in a community development that can help us reimagine urban and town planning.
We speak with Steve Nygren, Founder and CEO who shares with us his love of biophilia and how this is woven through Serenbe, a beautiful and practical reimagining of how we can live in harmony with nature. More than just a development, Serenbe is a living, breathing testament to Biophilic Design and the profound connection between human well-being and the natural world.
When Steve purchased a farm near Atlanta with his family, they discovered that this close connection to nature fundamentally changed their lives. "I saw how we all responded when we connected back to nature," he reflects.
With 1,200 residents, Serenbe demonstrates that sustainable, nature-integrated communities aren't just possible—they're desirable, and this goes beyond architecture, it's about creating living systems that nurture human potential.
Serenbe continues to evolve, with plans for an expanded educational campus. Plus, and watch out for updates in the press, an aging-in-place community promoting intergenerational living.
Steve bridges scientific understanding with emotional experience. While research increasingly validates biophilic design's benefits, he emphasises that the heart understands what science is only beginning to measure. "We are innately connected to nature," he says, and highlights how our intuitive feelings are confirmed by rigorous scientific research.
Start in your own backyard.
Steve's upcoming book, "Start in Your Own Backyard," extends this philosophy, encouraging individuals to create change in their immediate environments.
For those wanting to apply Serenbe's principles globally, Steve offers simple advice. Start where you have influence. Whether it's redesigning a neighbourhood, creating community gardens, or advocating for nature-integrated urban planning, every action matters. His book is out in October. https://stevenygren.com As Paul Hawken (author of Carb
Published on 1 month, 1 week ago