Creating a Space Where Nature Drives Activity
Biophilic design has bolstered a vigorous new trend in fitness centers—the convergence of the gym environment with elements of nature. Environments that command the presence of nature—pastel colors, natural materials, sunlight—can and do have a profound effect on physical and mental performance. And though it is what may seem to be only a trend at present, the integration of design principles favoring biophilia in fitness spaces is gaining traction. For good reason.
Historically, gyms have been places where individuality meets thermal comfort. Those properties in behaviors have led gym designers to favor artificial materials, strong lighting, and a palette dominated by industrial tones and textures (neutral colors, hard surfaces) that do not clash with those individual exercises that push limits and, sometimes, sound like a box being wrought upon.
But just as being outdoors in the presence of nature can do wonders for one’s attitude and overall sense of well-being, so can being in the presence of natural elements that appear alongside one’s workout space. So, how can a designer convert an indoor workout space into one that embraces or integrates these same principles in order to create a space where exercising feels upon a terrain path, or in an aqueduct, beneath overhanging trees? Let’s review a few lighting fundamentals, followed by suggestions on natural and textured materials that could and should be used to integrate your average gym with more elements of nature.
First, sunlight is superior to any and all artificial lighting when it comes to lighting environments in ways that support the metabolism of our muscles and our brains. Everyone knows this on some level. Yet how few fitness centers incorporate large windows as part of a healthy workout environment? If I were to ask you to describe a gym, would the following images come to mind: fluorescent lights suspended from the ceiling shining down upon the tops of a carpet cut into industrial frieze? Would you envision rows of treadmills or stationary bicycles hard up against the set of windows overlooking a parking garage? No, because hardly any images out there are very flattering. And that’s why the industry needs more biophilic design principles.
What I love most about having plants in the gym is their dual benefit of aesthetics and air quality. They beautify the space and also help filter the air, which is vital in a gym. They help remove toxins and increase oxygen levels, and I think a big reason why some clients have said the air feels fresher during a workout in a plant-filled gym is because of that natural filtration that even high-tech solutions can’t replicate.
A rooftop gym we designed stands out in my memory for its completely open-air concept. It was sited on top of a building in a densely populated urban area. To make it feel like an escape from the city, we incorporated natural elements. Bamboo fencing created privacy and added a natural element to the urban skyline. The workout area was surrounded by potted trees and shrubs, and there were raised garden beds where members could grow their own herbs and vegetables. This was a window to the fitness experience. The idea was to take exercise to a whole new level and make the gym a true wellness space—physically, mentally, and even environmentally.
My various biophilic gym projects have taught me that the most vital aspect of these spaces is their “flow.” If “biophilic design” has a muse, it might well be the figure of a human wandering freely and unfettered through the bracing embrace of a natural environment. In a biophilic gym, people should feel they’re gliding, not bumping, from one activity to another. And it’s even more interesting to consider how a biophilic design might encourage or enhance the kind of flowing movement that a body can achieve—in exercise, in the walk to the next exercise, in the whole rhythm of one’s time spent in the biophilic gym.
What I have always found most interesting about biophilic fitness design is its dual focus. When one thinks of a gym, one often thinks of a place to enhance just the physical aspect of human performance. But the biophilic gym is designed to inspire both the body and the mind. Its nature-inspired elements, whether through materials, textures, or sounds, provide a sort of grounding that helps the user become more in tune with not only their movements but also their breath—an especially important aspect of activities like yoga, Pilates, or meditation that often occur in the gym setting.
The first time I practiced yoga in a space created with biophilic design principles, I was instantly entranced. The room was simple yet warm, with the kind of wooden floor that would feel so good under bare feet—and large windows that would wash any space with natural light. The scent of the adjacent gardens wafted in on a light breeze; could a person really ask for a better way to practice yoga? I was so plugged into the environment that it was as if I was having a transcendent experience. And maybe I was—wasn’t I just having a noetic moment of being wholly in the space one was designed to inhabit because it made so much sense, in the same way that a person inhabits a note held by an instrument at the moment of a concert?
When I design yoga and meditation studios, I strive to create an atmosphere that evokes a peaceful state. More than that, I aim to establish a transitory metaphor that links our quotidian lives to something greater. Take, for example, a meditation studio I helped design. The studio featured a sizable indoor water installation that coursed along a wall. The sound of the obviously not-so-natural water gently tumbling in a shallow rock bed overcame the sound of breathing in the studio, and almost everyone who practiced there remarked on how this space enhanced their ability to focus and maintain a state of present mindfulness during their practice.
In a different undertaking, we employed sizable, natural stone slabs for the meditation room’s flooring. The powerful sensation of the natural stone texture beneath one’s feet was profoundly grounding—not in a showy way, but in an almost under-the-radar manner that made people feel more “in their body” and more physically present. The choice of material serves a dual purpose: The stones are practical, as stones tend to be, and they become an integral part of the meditative experience. One is offended not by the noise of the floor, but by the muscular effort of crossing too much stone terrain.
Biophilic design can be equally beneficial in other aspects of gym facilities too, like in cardio and strength-training studio spaces. This is especially true for biophilic elements that introduce natural light, sound, and other sensory stimuli to engage the motivation of gym-goers. One can imagine gyms being spaces where the introduction of biophilic design in such ways would be somewhat limited. The first vision that pops into my head is an open-concept strength-training area where the flooring is covered in grass. Thankfully, this is not the interpretation that has been taken by gyms that have attempted to integrate biophilia. Instead, one gym that I worked on put large windows in the strength-training area that opened to part of a natural landscape. That gym, by the way, prefaced “natural sound” through the use of interior speakers with “quiet birds” programming, which—by the way—would fly right over to the “next level.”
I recall conversing with clients who maintained that the trifecta of natural light, sightlines to verdant landscapes, and the symphony of nature made them feel as if the stress of the day had melted away when it came to working out. It was as if the stresses that led them to the gym had somehow been countered by these elements, with a clear payoff when it came to performance.
I have also seen biophilic design improve gym spaces by using natural ventilation and airflow. Many gyms are designed to be completely airtight, relying on mechanical systems to ventilate the space. That can lead to stale air and unhappy patrons. In one project, we opened up a gym that already had some large windows to the outside. We added operable skylights and doubled the size of one of its doors, allowing fresh air to move into the space. The improvement in air quality was not only immediately noticeable but also created an atmosphere where the natural ventilation could be felt. All kinds of air-quality tests can prove the same thing, but the long-standing human experience with natural airflow reliably shows that it feels good.
Airflow ties closely into the biophilic design of a gym. Fresh air can be felt and is appreciated in the indoor/outdoor spaces of a biophilic gym. For cardiovascular workouts, nothing is better than the feeling of fresh air, moving air, or the slightly cooled sensation your skin gets when the air flows around you. One gym I worked on in the desert had large ceiling fans that created an airflow effect that was very similar to the natural airflow you would get outside under shaded trees. These ceiling fans made a big difference, with clients raving about how cool it felt to work out in the gym.
Biophilic gym design can be enhanced by water, not only as an aesthetic element but also by its potential to create a certain atmosphere. One of the most impressive elements of any project I’ve worked on is the installation of a hydrotherapy pool in the recovery area of a gym. While it certainly serves a functional purpose, the pool is visually stunning, with a natural stone waterfall spilling into the 30-degree water below. The combination of sound and sight provides an immensely calming atmosphere and a perfect environment for stretching or simply winding down post-workout. Even clients who skip the pool find that the premise of such an aquatic retreat is invigorating and good for the soul.
In embodying the principles of biophilic design, the gym can be seen more as a space of life. When people enter into spaces designed under the biophilic principle, they are seeing life and feeling the essence or the breath of life. As architects and designers, our aim is to create spaces that embody the principle of biophilic design. Following this principle, we are adding a focus on plant life in fresh ways within biophilic gym design. We see the latest plant life focus in living walls. Living walls, when done correctly, can become a focal point, as they can serve to not only distract the eye from the equipment but also calm the mind and serve as a life-motivating backdrop to a lifeless space.
Green walls are an excellent solution for gyms, especially when space is tight but height is available. One of our projects involved a series of smaller, modular living wall panels throughout the fitness area. With no single wall available to accommodate a large expanse of greenery, we broke the vertical experience into small-scale, forest-like pockets. These panels are home to a diversity of ferns, mosses, and other low-light plants that thrive in the indoor environment, bringing some really lovely nature vignettes to the gym without taking it over the top. Not only do these small-scale green wall “forests” enhance the look and feel of the gym, but they also serve a couple of other important functions.
Ultimately, my education in biophilic gym design has taught me that this vital approach is more than just an aesthetics game. While incorporating living plants or natural materials is a good start, my ideal workout space is one with environments that feel alive in multiple ways—through light, sound, airflow, and water; the kind of environment that makes the senses stand at attention and the brain grab hold of the rewarding experience of moving through space.
When individuals experience a stronger bond with their surroundings, they are inclined to exert more effort, maintain higher levels of motivation, and derive greater pleasure from their exercising. The principles of biophilic design are applied to create environments that are both visually appealing and conducive to the kind of invigorated, present-state living that humans are meant to express.
Sustainable Wellness in Biophilic Gym Design
Designing for biophilia incorporates the aspects necessary to create an intimate connection between humans and their built environment. This relation is fundamental since our complex brains evolved, allowing us to comprehend our environments. Merely inserting functional green or sustainable elements does not, however, guarantee this intimate connection. Even though a gym is designed with sustainable materials and is functioning at net-zero energy, for example, if the space is not aesthetically inviting or legibly connected to nature—an integral part of biophilic gym design—the intimate connection essential for wellness is not made. Conversely, if a biophilic gym space is beautiful but ecologically and functionally unsound, the atmosphere may feel good to our personally involved senses but it lacks a healthful and sustainable impact on our bodies and minds.
The burgeoning health and well-being sector worldwide correlates directly with a demand for fitness facilities that understand and prioritize sustainable practices and a more ecologically friendly approach to design. This, in turn, creates an excellent opportunity for biophilic fitness facilities to emerge as a new design paradigm—one that places overarching importance on human health and makes appearing “green” an afterthought, instead of a marketing ploy. To that end, here at Perkins and Will, we’ve been developing a solid framework for designing fitness facilities using biophilic principles.
Biophilic design embodies the principle of sustainability, which directly applies to gym layout and operation and the substantial energy these facilities typically consume. One of our projects involved a commitment to carbon neutrality by a local gym, and we integrated a number of elements into the design that underscored the gym’s commitment to reduce energy consumption. Throughout the facility, we specified luminaires with LED sources, which offer significant energy savings when compared to incandescent or fluorescent lighting. The thermostats we installed suggest a similar level of technological sophistication: these “smart” devices adjust heating and cooling output based on gym occupancy. Finally, the solar panels installed on the roof enabled even further reductions in energy consumption by providing a portion of the facility’s power directly from the sun.
The gym’s most unique attribute, and one that might have been its most innovative, was energy-generating cardio equipment. The treadmills, stationary bicycles, and ellipticals were rigged up to convert the energy expended by a user into power that could be fed back into the building. While a cardio workout in most gyms merely results in the user’s drip of sweat, in this one, a good sweat might also mean a modest increase in power for the gym.
Another aspect of sustainable fitness center design is water conservation, and it is no less significant for being the obvious first step. Fitness centers, particularly when they house pools, can consume water at prodigious rates. I worked with a group that designed an aquatics and fitness center, and we found ways to rein in the water usage without detracting from the user experience. Our biggest move was to install an array of low-flow fixtures throughout the center, and we augmented that by also using water-efficient toilets. Our last and most innovative step was to collect rainwater from the roof of the building and use it to irrigate the plants in the landscaping around the center.
However, sustainability is not only about energy and water; it also concerns the selection of materials. Sustainability mandates a careful curatorship of resources that takes natural materials into account. My projects aspire to a contemporary aesthetic that always incorporates what I term “natural sustainability.” For example, in a recent gym project, we used reclaimed wood, not only to reduce new material demands but also to contribute to a warm, organic sense of space. The gym’s furniture and fixtures were also chosen with an eye toward sustainable materials. And all of the upholstered elements (like the exercise mats themselves) were crafted from biodegradable natural rubber.
I’ve also kept up with the development of fitness centers that have eliminated plastic. Instead of the common synthetic materials found in most gyms, these completely natural facilities use sustainable materials such as bamboo, cork, and organic cotton. I’ve been blown away by how this move toward eco-friendliness has not only reduced the environmental impact of these spaces but has also improved the overall vibe. They feel good to work out in—like an enclosed natural space. Everything from the flooring to the equipment feels connected to the right world and free from the common gym stench.
Using sustainable materials is only part of the equation for designing such spaces. We must also consider the inhabitants – the people who use the buildings – in our design process. One of the most interesting projects I worked on was for a gym that wanted to evolve into a “wellness hub.” They wanted to go beyond typical definitions of fitness to focus on holistic wellness that encompasses mental health and emotional well-being, in addition to physical health. So, in addition to the usual free-weight areas, stretching rooms, and indoor tracks, we designed areas specifically for mindfulness practices and meditation.
The core essence of biophilic design is wellness, both in a holistic sense and in specific details that contribute to an overall atmosphere of well-being. Although this translates as “biophilic design is good for your health” in the most direct sense, the healthier experience of gym-goers results from a more profound reason: mindful biophilic design invites inhabitants to experience the design in a way that feels more meaningful to them.
An increasingly thrilling trend in the design of biophilic gyms is the appearance of outdoor fitness spaces. These might be rooftop gyms, open-air studios, or even fitness parks that have been integrated into urban areas. Whatever the form, these outdoor workout areas have been getting very popular lately, as they are perceived to be safer and simply more enjoyable than indoor exercise, especially since the pandemic. Indeed, I worked on a project fairly recently that involved transforming a rooftop that had been mostly ignored into an engaging outdoor gym. This space combined some standard gym equipment with areas designated for functional training. There was also a garden that featured a number of native plants and that created a beautifully serene, if not completely quiet, environment for some of the less strenuous parts of a workout.
What makes outdoor gyms such an appealing option is their instant link to nature, a connection that is dictated by the biophilic design philosophy. Biophilia’s premise is straightforward: living close to nature is good for our physical health, our mental health, and our well-being. Outdoor gyms are a step further toward that. Being in an outdoor gym lets you breathe fresh air, work under natural light, enjoy the exposure to greenery—all around potent mood boosters. You might even get a dose of vitamin D! My favorite part of this particular gym was how open it felt. You had nowhere to go but up, and the view was so enviable that it could distract you from your abs crunching.
Biophilic gym design makes me think differently about the connections between fitness, the environment, and personal wellness. One of my favorite projects involved the design of a community fitness center that included a walking trail around the perimeter of the building. We lined the trail with native trees and plants and included “fitness stations” along the way—benches for stretching, bars for pull-ups, and even a few shaded areas with seating for rest. Instead of the typical indoor gym experience, we aimed to give the community a place where they could integrate movement into their daily lives in a way that felt natural and enjoyable.
This project underscored for me how vital it is to create environments that promote natural movement among humans. Although gyms can sometimes feel flexible, they often have areas with defined workouts and a row of machines that are all too similar to an assembly line. Eliza Pennoyer’s vision for her Recess gym promotes more natural movement in what is, essentially, a more inviting layout. Adding biophilic city elements—like a trail to run around, a space for gardening, or a more fluid, nature-inspired path—could help the Recess gym feel as if it is part of a more coherent organism.
A space that extends beyond calorie burning and muscle toning, the gym itself can become a place of reconnection and harmony—it can become biophilic. What I have learned from crafting the designs of these biophilic spaces is that this kind of nature-infused architecture serves to strengthen our overall relationship with wellness and fitness. Biophilic design doesn’t just make a workout more enjoyable; it can make the pathway to health and wellness feel more attainable.
Looking ahead, I think we’ll see even more fitness centers embodying these tenets of sustainability, wellness, and biophilic design. The industry seems to be leaning in this direction, and despite my nomenclature here, it’s not really a stretch to think of it as a movement. Practices that allow for the efficient use of energy; materials that come from nature, even if they’re not 100% “natural”; biophilic principles that are interpreted in imaginative ways; spaces that take advantage of the outdoors and other natural features; and ways of constructing these sanctuaries that make them “fit for purpose.”
