We recently published Issue 11 https://journalofbiophilicdesign.com/journal-of-biophilic-design-1 of the Journal of Biophilic Design which had a focus on Hotels and leisure and to celebrate this, we are thrilled to have Louis Thompson, Founder of Nomadic Resorts with us on this podcast.
Nomadic Resorts were one of the finalists in the 2023 Stephen Kellert Biophilic Design award. We were delighted to partner with Living Future Europe to co-publish the book of winners and shortlisted entries of the 2023 Stephen Kellert Biophilic Design Award.
In a world increasingly dominated by concrete and steel, one man is on a mission to rekindle our innate connection with the natural world. Louis, founder of Nomadic Resorts, is pioneering a revolutionary approach to architecture that seamlessly blends human habitats with the surrounding environment.
Louis' journey began not in the halls of design schools, but in the remote corners of the Indian Ocean. After studying European politics, he found himself drawn to the hospitality industry, honing his skills at the luxury resort operator Six Senses. It was here that he discovered his true calling – to create spaces that not only cater to the needs of guests, but also nurture their well-being and foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
"I've always believed in that inherent human need to interact with the natural environment," Louis explains. "The principles of biophilic design and biomimicry have been at the core of our work from the very beginning."
This philosophy has manifested in a series of breathtaking projects that have earned Nomadic Resorts international acclaim. The Playa Viva Bamboo Tree Houses in Mexico, a finalist for the 2023 Stephen Kellert Biophilic Design Award, exemplifies this approach. Perched atop a remote Pacific coast beach, the structures are designed to immerse guests in the sights, sounds, and scents of their surroundings.
"Our client had a very clear vision," Louis recalls. "He didn't want air conditioning – he wanted people to truly feel their environment, to smell the salt air and hear the crashing waves."
Leveraging the natural airflow and the insulating properties of bamboo, the team created a series of lightweight, permeable structures that seamlessly integrate with the landscape. Elevated on coconut tree trunks and sheltered by a parabolic roof, the tree houses offer a sense of refuge and privacy while maintaining a deep connection to the outdoors.
"It wasn't just a question of biomimicry," Louis explains. "We wanted to create a biophilic experience that would evoke specific emotions and feelings in the guests – a sense of being hidden away, yet able to take in the breathtaking vistas around them."
The project's success has been a testament to Louis' belief that the technologies we use to facilitate our lives can often be detrimental to our innate connection with nature. By embracing the genius loci, or "spirit of the place," Nomadic Resorts has crafted experiences that challenge the notion of traditional hospitality.
"Living in air-conditioned boxes and going from one space to another through the car-filled world, I think it has divorced people from their environment. Giving people the opportunity to have an authentic connection to the natural environment is a true luxury now."
This sentiment is echoed in the company's other projects, such as the tree-top dining experience in Thailand, where guests are hoisted into the canopy of an old-growth forest on a custom-designed, cable-suspended platform. The attention to detail, from the use of traditional building techniques to the integration of local craftspeople, has imbued each creation with a distinct sense of place.
"We've had the great fortune of working with incredibly skilled people with fantastic ideas who have really contributed very significantly to the projects we've been involved in. It's a two-way exchange, where we're learning from them, and they're learning from us."
As the company expands its portfolio of biophilic designs, Louis is also exploring new frontiers, such as the development of eco-villages and modular tent structures that can be deployed in remote locations. The goal is to create self-sustaining communities that allow people to reconnect with the natural world, not just during a vacation, but as a way of life.
In an age of increasing environmental challenges and mental health crises, Louis' vision for a more harmonious future offers a glimmer of hope. By designing with nature, not against it, Nomadic Resorts is leading the charge in a revolution that could transform the way we live, work, and thrive on this planet.
View issue 11 Hotels to read more about Louis and Nomadic Resorts inspiring designs: https://journalofbiophilicdesign.com/journal-of-biophilic-design-1
Nomadic Resorts were one of the finalists in the 2023 Stephen Kellert Biophilic Design award. We were delighted to partner with Living Future Europe to co-publish the book of winners and shortlisted entries of the 2023 Stephen Kellert Biophilic Design Award. Have a look at this beautiful book full of inspiration. Download your copy free now!
https://www.living-future.eu/publications/
Or you can get a copy from our website https://journalofbiophilicdesign.com/shop/stephen-kellert-design-award-2023
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