The allure of luxury living today extends beyond opulence and convenience. Discerning homeowners now demand spaces that foster well-being, sustainability, and a deeper connection to nature. In India, biophilic design is taking on unique dimensions, drawing from the country’s rich cultural heritage, biodiversity, and climatic diversity. From incorporating Ayurvedic principles in spatial layouts to reviving indigenous materials in modern architecture, the biophilic movement is creating living spaces that are as functional as they are inspirational. Developers are embracing biophilic principles to create vertical forests and green facades, providing residents with the benefits of nature while maximising urban land use. For example, in Mumbai, Raheja Universal introduced a high-rise with lush green terraces and vertical gardens that extend up the building, offering each unit a connection to nature. Similarly, DLF’s Camellias in Gurugram boasts expansive green spaces interspersed with high-rise luxury apartments.
Another standout example is Eros Sampoornam, a project designed with a unique focus on open spaces and natural integration. While primarily a mid-rise development, its extensive landscaped gardens, walking trails, and water features embody the principles of biophilic design, making it a benchmark for sustainable luxury living in Greater Noida West. This project showcases how biophilic design can enhance the quality of life in both vertical and low-rise communities.
This paradigm shift is not just about aesthetics; it’s a response to pressing global challenges, including urban stress, environmental degradation, and the growing importance of mental health.
1. Ayurvedic integration
India’s ancient wellness science, Ayurveda, is finding a modern expression in biophilic luxury homes. While globally, biophilic design often emphasises greenery and natural light, the Indian approach delves deeper, aligning spaces with individual well-being.
Luxury developments are now tailoring indoor environments to support specific doshas — vata, pitta, and kapha — to enhance physical and emotional balance. For instance, homes designed for pitta individuals incorporate cooling elements like indoor water features and light hues, while vata-friendly designs focus on warmth and grounding textures, such as terracotta and bamboo.
Another emerging trend is therapeutic landscapes, where residential gardens include Ayurvedic herbs like tulsi, neem, and brahmi. These not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also provide residents with access to plants that promote healing and immunity.
In South India, developers are integrating wellness zones inspired by Ayurvedic retreats. These include yoga decks, herbal spas, and meditation gardens that align with the principles of holistic health. By incorporating Ayurvedic elements, biophilic design transcends its aesthetic value, offering residents a personalised sanctuary for rejuvenation.
2. Reviving indigenous materials
In India’s luxury real estate, the revival of indigenous materials is transforming biophilic design into a sustainable art form. Beyond reducing carbon footprints, this movement celebrates the country’s rich architectural traditions and craftsmanship.
Developers are increasingly turning to materials like mud, lime plaster, and stone — long used in India’s vernacular architecture — to create homes that are both eco-friendly and luxurious. For example, clay tiles traditionally used in South Indian homes are now being reimagined as contemporary roofing solutions, while Jaipur’s pink sandstone is adorning the facades of high-end residences.
A standout innovation is the use of compressed stabilised earth blocks (CSEB), a modern take on traditional mud bricks. These blocks are durable, thermally efficient, and visually striking, making them ideal for luxury projects with a biophilic ethos.
Stone jaali screen
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images/istock
Moreover, artisanal craftsmanship is making a comeback, with bespoke installations like stone jaali screens and carved wooden panels gaining prominence. These elements not only pay homage to India’s heritage but also optimise natural ventilation and lighting — key principles of biophilic design.
3. Sensory engagement
Biophilic design in India is pushing the boundaries of sensory engagement, creating spaces that go beyond visual beauty to connect with all five senses. Luxury homes are now being curated to offer multi-sensory experiences.
Developers are incorporating aromatherapy zones within residences, using essential oils extracted from native plants like sandalwood, jasmine, and vetiver. These aromas evoke calm and nostalgia, fostering a serene ambiance. Similarly, soundscapes featuring water fountains, wind chimes, and curated playlists of natural sounds such as bird calls or rustling leaves are becoming a hallmark of biophilic luxury.
Touch is another key focus area. High-end residences now feature tactile materials like raw silk, polished wood, and textured stone, allowing residents to physically connect with their surroundings. Even flooring is being reimagined with tactile finishes that feel warm and natural underfoot.
In terms of lighting, the interplay of natural and artificial light is used to mimic daily rhythms, creating a dynamic living environment. For example, soft, diffused lighting that changes intensity throughout the day aligns with circadian cycles, promoting better sleep and mood regulation.
Green intervention in Indian projects
Developers are embracing biophilic principles to create vertical forests and green facades, providing residents with the benefits of nature while maximising urban land use. For example, Kottayam-based DH Ecological Solutions is building biophilic structures using elements like country-burnt bricks, clay roof tiles, and woodpanel flooring. “To me, biophilia shouldn’t be limited to mimicking nature, but be about bringing a contextual synergy between the structure and the ecosystem around it while ensuring it’s a light and porous structure,” says principal architect Gisny George. “Almost all vernacular and indigenous construction techniques were contextually responsive and are the easiest reference examples of biophilia,” she adds.
More ecological additions like building rooms on different levels in sync with the land terrain and creating chambers underneath bedrooms for rainwater harvesting, while creating an outlet for borewell recharging, are incorporated by George. In one of the projects done in central Kerala, located on the Sahyadris, the existing trees, including two guava trees, were retained, eventually enhancing the aesthetics and experience of the landscape. A challenge in biophilic architecture, according to George, is ensuring it’s climate resilient, especially in areas like the high ranges of Kerala, where the weather patterns are often unpredictable.
Prashant Dupare from Mumbai-based contextual biophilia architecture firm Blurring Boundaries says, “One of our recent projects, Maativan, is nestled among the trees, and spaces are carved in-between them. While designing spaces, we ensured that the position of each room and openings are planned in such a way that they connect to the surroundings physically and visually.”
Another unique project in Bengaluru by architect Thomas Abraham is the Crystal Hall, a house made with double-layered high-performing and heat-reflecting recycled clear glass. Surrounded by a rainforest structure, this sustainable architectural project is also built to accommodate biodiversity corridors within the plot. This winner of multiple awards like Architecture Masterprize and Bronze Design Award is not just a zero-waste project but also successful in preventing more than 60% of the heat entering the building interiors.
Arati Chari from Chennai-based Landscape Architects who have worked on projects like CII Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre in Hyderabad talks about reducing carbon footprint apart from accomodating the natural elements in the plot. “The John F. Welch Technology Centre in Bengaluru was one of our projects where a central stream running through the site became the starting point of a design that we developed into a waterbody at the heart of the site,” she adds.
Core Architecture in Pune has also created a biophilic office headquarters using therapeutic landscaping as a main element to incorporate nature into their structures.
Inputs by P.S. Niranjana
4. Eco-friendly technology
India’s luxury homes are increasingly blending biophilic design with smart technology, creating spaces that are as efficient as they are eco-friendly. This fusion ensures residents experience the best of both worlds — nature’s tranquillity and modern convenience.
Smart irrigation systems, for instance, are revolutionising indoor and outdoor greenery maintenance. These systems monitor soil moisture and weather conditions to optimise watering schedules, ensuring lush gardens with minimal resource wastage.
Advanced home automation systems are now integrating natural elements into daily living. From automated blinds that adjust to maximise natural light to air purifiers that replicate the quality of fresh mountain air, technology is enhancing biophilic experiences.
Virtual reality (VR) is also making its way into urban luxury apartments, where residents can immerse themselves in virtual natural settings. This is particularly relevant in dense cities such as Mumbai and Delhi, where physical green spaces are limited and available at a premium.
Additionally, biophilic apps are gaining traction, offering features such as plant care reminders, air quality monitoring, and real-time updates on biodiversity within residential complexes. These innovations are turning luxury homes into living ecosystems, making Indian real estate a pioneer in tech-enabled sustainable living.
5. Community programmes
Biophilic luxury is no longer confined to individual residences. Developers are now focusing on community-centric designs that create shared green spaces, fostering a sense of belonging and environmental stewardship.
Luxury projects are incorporating urban farming initiatives, where residents can grow organic produce in community gardens. This not only promotes sustainability but also strengthens social bonds among residents. For example, in Bengaluru, developers have introduced rooftop gardens where residents can participate in farming workshops and harvest their own vegetables.
Shared green spaces like landscaped courtyards, walking trails, and open-air amphitheatres are becoming central to luxury housing. These areas are designed to encourage interaction while providing a tranquil escape from urban chaos.
Another innovation is the creation of biodiversity corridors within residential complexes, supporting local flora and fauna. Native trees and water features are strategically integrated to attract birds, butterflies, and small wildlife, enhancing the ecological value of the space.
The writer is Director, Eros Group.
Published – November 29, 2024 04:15 pm IST
