Renovation of a passive house project with Biophilic Design philosophy (Antwerpen, Belgium) - HABITARMONIA

Finalist of the Golden Trezzini Awards 2022 for Best Implemented Private House Interior Design Project, Award Winner of Wintrade Global, and Best Service Award in Houzz 2022.

In the middle of a small forest in the village of Grasheide, Antwerp, Belgium, the family bought this passive house with a wooden structure manufactured by the company Debacker.

Although technically the house met all the requirements for sustainability and insulation, it lacked charm and space for this family with 3 children. The previous owners had not paid attention to its decoration and flow, and the new owners love well-decorated houses that make them feel at home, so it was then that Habitarmonia was approached to create a home where this couple with stressful jobs could find peace and quiet, where the children would feel safe and where the family could reconnect with the beauty of the forest outside.

At Habitarmonia we work with a Holistic approach by implementing Biophilic and Wellbeing Design; and the first main step when starting a project is to analyze the future inhabitants, not only their tastes, hobbies, and habits but also their personality types, the types of emotions and feelings they want to get from the spaces and indirectly we analyze if any of the inhabitants suffer from any kind of health or cognitive problems.

Once we defined the key points for the decoration of the house, we co-created a colour palette, created a mood board, and held some sessions in which we advised our clients on different aspects related to health and well-being in their homes. This was their A-HA moment; once they began to understand the impact their space could have on them and their family, the collaboration was much more effective in terms of choice of materials and furniture.

The couple's biggest challenges were high levels of stress due to their work situation, and through our various discussions, our clients shared with us that one of the children suffered from Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and dyslexia.

At habitarmonia we place great importance on educating our clients in the co-creation process; by involving them in it, we make them feel more responsible for the choices they make, and we also create an awareness of the importance that nature has on our well-being.

So, to begin with, we started looking at how we could work with natural materials (under pattern “non-visual connection with nature” from Biophilic Design Theory of 15 patterns of Terrapin Bright Green), which have a direct impact on reducing stress hormones, have a positive impact on cognitive performance and, transmit tranquility.

One of the first things that were done was to place oak flooring on both floors on top of the existing tiled floor, together with a layer of insulation for better acoustic and temperature isolation.

The wood was treated with natural resins, so it was also possible to use it in the bathrooms and kitchen; an eye-catching element that created visual peace. Not least, the smell of the wood as well as the feel of the wood enhanced the sense of calm in all rooms.

The next step was to choose a colour palette that would unify the spaces (and would be aligned with the people living in the spaces), and paint them with ecological paint.

One of the general recommendations for our clients was to remind them of the importance of being able to operate the windows, as it is a passive house, the builder's recommendation was to have the windows permanently closed, for the best functioning of this system, but, speaking of well-being and health, it was our duty to guide and advise them towards better use of them. We raised their awareness of the benefits of ventilating the rooms and getting fresh air from the outside (which in this case was a small pine forest).

Living Space with Biophilic Design

The living space consisted of a large living-dining room slightly divided by the kitchen. So, to make the spaces more welcoming, we included a wooden bar in the kitchen to convey warmth; with this simple detail, this space gained in comfort and socializing, as the new owners are very fond of cooking and having their guests around.

In the dining room, we used some of the furniture that the couple brought from their previous home; an old cupboard, a large table, and some designer chairs from the 70s.

The materials we proposed for the windows were linen curtains and wooden shades, these were coming from artisans in the neighborhood. And as an eye-catcher, we included an oak bookcase as the owners are very passionate about reading.

Master Bedroom with Biophilic Design

By adding an extra operable window to this room, we created a better visual connection with nature: the couple could contemplate the beauty of the forest from their bed, and see the processes of the changing seasons and temporal changes. We also added linen curtains and suggested buying linen bedsheets, which together with organic cotton were the main textiles used in this room.

We adapted the existing lighting plan and added more subtle and diffuse lighting in the general light-scapes, and we incorporated natural made lamps made out of shells and animal skin to create fractal lighting.

Most of the lamps used in the project were made of natural materials and organic shapes, and it was important that some of them could reflect different forms of light on the ceilings and walls.

The entrance with Biophilic Design

The entrance to the house was a room that was given a lot of attention as the couple regularly invited their friends and their children's friends, and it was very important to them to make them feel welcome and comfortable. To transmit that idea of a happy home, we created a wall with photographs and souvenirs of the family members: this gave a very homely feeling to the space.

Generally speaking, the focus of the layout was to make the most of natural light. Each of the windows in each of the spaces has a beautiful natural view that allows the owners to interact with nature in all conditions. And by carefully considering the arrangement of the furnishings in each room, we created a sense of light and spaciousness that allows the occupants to see beyond the rooms, (this is called prospect and refuge in Biophilic Design terminology)

Some of the less-expected but much-appreciated advice from our clients is about what kind of plants to include in the spaces and what kind of essential oils to use to encourage creativity and calmness or simply recreate pleasant smells for the family. In biophilic design, we pay a lot of attention to all the senses, as it makes the experience of the spaces much more interesting; and therefore, any smell, taste, or sound that connects us with nature, will promote the benefits we want to transmit to our clients.

Our aim when designing a project is not only to create an aesthetically beautiful space but also, and above all, to achieve the maximum healing effect, applied to the intended spatial purpose and the corresponding functions of the assignment.  Implementing the appropriate design elements is capable of supporting not only the highest quality of life but also supporting people in their healing and recovery from emotional and physical illness.

The design of this home is clearly curated, but it never becomes intimidating or overly made-up.

Everything feels comfortable and welcoming, immediately putting people at ease. In its apparent simplicity, this project shows the importance of interior design in defining how people feel in a space. This home is clearly a space to live, not just one to admire!

About Habitarmonia

Habitarmonia is an Award Winning full-service design studio created by Nuria Muñoz based in Valencia, Spain, serving clients locally and internationally.

Our specialties are residential design as well as commercial and working space design, as well as educating and consulting on Biophilic Design.

Through our designs, we elevate the lived experience and improve the quality of life by reconnecting humans with nature and creating healthier and happier living and working environments.

We collaborate with a team of experts to provide an in-depth holistic level of support to our projects and clients. From renowned architects in the field to experts in all the pillars of well-being, specialists in biophilic design, and teachers in the field of environmental psychology, we engage and collaborate with the best-fitting talents for each project to ensure a high-quality service and a pleasant experience.

Our practice recognizes the person as a whole taking into consideration every single aspect of the human makeup: physical, emotional, mental, relational, intellectual, and spiritual. This holistic approach allows us to co-create ideal spaces for individuals, families, and communities. 

The Three Foundational Fields Of Study That Guide Our Work:

• Interior design
• Biophilic Design
• Environmental psychology

By understanding the impact of the surrounding environments on the physical and psychological aspects of the human being, we co-create positive places that respond to the needs of each individual and group whether functional/physical, aesthetical, emotional, intellectual, mental or spiritual.

The impact can be immediate bringing joy to people as soon as they step into a room, helping people start and maintain healthy habits, improving family ties and intimacy, helping increase focus, productivity, and creativity, and helping people relax and have a deep and restful sleep.

For specific issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, ADHD, SAD, ASD, mobility issues, aging, etc., this mindful design can provide a supportive environment that nurtures and promote ease, healing, and recovery.

By working with us, you will…

• Create more welcoming and homely spaces adapted to your and your family’s needs
• Enhance the wellness of the people living in physical, practical, and emotional ways. 
• Shape an aesthetically balanced nice space
• Create more restorative spaces that can alleviate stress levels
• Apply easily tailor-made interior design
• Improve mood through your creations
• Get a greater sense of vitality
• Reinforce nature – connectedness
• Enhance concentration 
• Reduce stress
• Gain better sleep quality
• Create more sustainable spaces 

You can find more information at www.habitarmonia.com