The Power of Nature in Our Homes — Biophilic Design for Modern Living
We feel better in nature because it is where we evolved. The scent of wood, the rhythm of light and shadow, the sound of moving water—all speak to ancient parts of our brains that steady the body and focus the mind. Yet today, we spend nearly 90% of our lives indoors, distanced from the natural systems that sustain balance and wellbeing.
dSPACE Studio, an AIA award-winning architecture firm with offices in Los Angeles and Chicago, uses biophilic design to bridge that divide—translating nature’s sensory language into modern architecture that restores connection, calm, and vitality. Their work brings us home to the environments where we evolved to thrive.
Named Best Warm Modern Architect in Los Angeles (2025) by Angeleno Magazine and Best Organic Minimalist Architects in California (2025) by Modern Luxury Interiors West Coast, dSPACE Studio is redefining how luxury homes can foster health and wellness while elevating the experience of everyday living.
Biophilic Design in Residential Architecture
Biophilic design in contemporary homes functions through three key pathways: direct contact with nature, indirect connection through natural analogues, and spatial qualities that replicate how we feel in nature. dSPACE Studio Architects draws upon these principles to design modern homes that enhance your health and wellness.
Within these pathways are fourteen evidence-based design patterns—a toolkit for creating environments that promote health, focus, and emotional wellbeing. Biophilic architecture engages the body’s restorative systems, activating the parasympathetic nervous system that supports calm, cognition, and longevity through exposure to nature.
Direct Contact: Experiencing Nature Indoors
Direct contact with nature includes views of landscape, light, and water—and is amplified through multisensory engagement. Modern homes that invite breezes, birdsong, and the scent of wood create an unconscious sense of security and calm. In residences such as Dunelands and Hollywood Hills Modern, dSPACE Studio Architects intentionally incorporates operable window walls, textured natural materials, and layered light—augmenting visual beauty with visceral comfort and wellness.
Indirect Connection: Evoking Nature Through Design
Indirect contact uses natural analogues to mimic the restorative effects of being in nature when access is limited. Fractal patterns, organic forms, and materials that reflect the geology of place evoke the same restorative reflexes as being outdoors. In Old Town Modern, for example, dSPACE Studio Architects incorporates a wall of veined stone and art inspired by leaf structures balance complexity and order—the sweet spot where calm and curiosity meet.
The Nature of Space: Designing for Wellness and Wonder
Finally, the nature of the space speaks to our instincts. Open prospect gives us room to observe and breathe; sheltered refuge provides calm and security. Mystery invites curiosity, while subtle risk—like a suspended stair—adds a thrill. Awe—through scale, light, or view—expands perspective and joy. In Dunelands, dSPACE Studio designed every element to harness these natural experiences—creating architecture that promotes health, wellness, and restoration.
Wellness Architecture: A Natural Imperative
Designing with nature is not a trend—it’s a health imperative. Research in neuroarchitecture and environmental psychology shows that connecting with nature lowers cortisol, improves focus, and enhances happiness.
dSPACE Studio’s restorative homes choreograph these experiences so seamlessly that wellness feels like a natural extension of beauty—proving that the future of modern living is deeply rooted in the power of nature.
FAQ - Biophilic Design
What does “biophilic design” mean?
It stems from biophilia—our innate love of nature and our instinctive desire to connect with it. When that connection is nurtured in the built environment, our bodies respond with measurable calm, clarity, and restoration. Biophilic design translates the language of nature—light, texture, pattern, and movement—into architecture.
At dSPACE Studio, this principle comes alive in projects like Dunelands, where the scent of wood, filtered daylight, and framed beach views create a multisensory connection to place. The result is not only beautiful, but physiologic: heart rate lowers, breathing deepens, and the home becomes a restorative sanctuary.
How can biophilic design be used in modern homes?
It’s about bringing natural systems into daily life—through light, materiality, airflow, and spatial rhythm. Something as simple as a shift in how daylight filters through a room can dramatically affect mood and well-being.
In Bel Air Vista, dSPACE Studio Architects designed operable glass walls to dissolve boundaries between interior and landscape, allowing sunlight and ocean breezes to move freely through the space. Stone, wood, and water are layered in balance with smooth concrete and glass—creating an organic minimalism that feels alive. Even the sequencing of rooms—open, enclosed, bright, and shaded—supports natural circadian rhythms and emotional balance.
How do I incorporate biophilic design in a home in a dense urban environment?
Even in dense urban environments, patterns, materials, and greenery can evoke nature’s benefits. The goal is not imitation, but connection—creating sensory cues that remind the body of its relationship to the natural world.
In Brickyard, for example, dSPACE Studio Architects integrated a secluded garden and sculptural light wells to bring daylight deep into this urban home. The effect is subtle but powerful: a home that feels calm, centered, and alive.
What are the benefits of biophilic design?
Reduced stress, improved mood, better memory, and higher productivity. Nature doesn’t just look good—it helps you feel and live better. Studies show that biophilic environments activate the body’s parasympathetic nervous system, lowering cortisol levels and promoting homeostasis.
At Horizon House, rooms are positioned to follow the movement of light and draw one’s eye to the water, fostering a deep connection to nature that lowers blood pressure, optimizes sleep, and improves mood. At Bel Air Vista, framed views and gentle water sounds invite reflection. Light glancing on water, shadows shifting across walls—these subtle rhythms quiet the mind and restore focus.
How is biophilic design different from “green” design?
The two are related—and both are important: Green design supports the planet; biophilic design supports the people living on it. Green architecture minimizes environmental impact—through energy efficiency and renewable systems—while biophilic design focuses on human well-being within those sustainable spaces.
At dSPACE Studio, the two are inseparable. Dunelands is built into its beach topography with minimal disturbance, while its interior palette of natural wood and limestone nourishes the senses. Likewise, Silver Lake integrates passive solar orientation and natural ventilation while emphasizing daylight, tactile materials, and sensory calm. Together, sustainability and biophilia create wellness architecture—homes that are both responsible and restorative.