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Blurring Boundaries, Biophilia and US Modernist Architecture

Blurring Boundaries, Biophilia and US Modernist Architecture

US Modernist architecture and Biophilic Design share a philosophical alignment, both fundamentally committed to creating human-centric spaces that celebrate our intrinsic connection to nature. By prioritising natural light, material authenticity, and design that responds to human behavioural patterns, these approaches transform buildings from mere shelters into living, breathing environments.

Architects like Frank Lloyd Wright and Richard Neutra were pioneering biophilia decades before the term existed as a design principle, strategically integrating large windows, natural materials, and designs that blur indoor-outdoor boundaries. Their work demonstrates that truly great architecture isn't about imposing human structures on the landscape, but about creating harmonious spaces that enhance human well-being by maintaining a deep, sensory dialogue with the natural world. This shared vision sees buildings not as static objects, but as dynamic systems that support physical, psychological, and emotional health through thoughtful, nature-inspired design.

What if your home could be more than just a container for living? What if it could enhance your wellbeing, sync with natural rhythms, and make you feel truly alive?

Imagine a house that breathes with the landscape, where windows frame nature like living paintings and every design choice connects you to the world outside We speak with George Smart, founder of US Modernist the award-winning archive and podcast dedicated to preserving and celebrating Modernist design. READ ON and listen or watch the interview with George…

HuffnPuff House

HuffnPuff House

Talina Edwards, founder of the award-winning architecture firm Envirotecture, shares her passion for sustainable, biophilic design that reconnects people with the natural world.

Based in Ballarat, Victoria, Talina and her team are at the forefront of a movement to transform the way homes and buildings are constructed in Australia. "We really care about health, we really care about people, and we really care about the planet, because we want a healthy, thriving future for the future generations," Talina explains. This ethos underpins Envirotecture's work, which spans certified PassivHaus projects, off-grid homes, and advocacy for more environmentally-conscious building practices.

One of Talina's standout projects is the "Huff and Puff" house, a straw bale home that also achieved PassivHaus certification. "We wanted it to be very healthy. The clients were very keen on using straw because of being so connected to the land there. So that drove the whole project," she said. The home's thick straw walls, combined with careful solar orientation and triple-glazed windows, allowed it to meet the rigorous PassivHaus standard while still maintaining a strong connection to its natural surroundings.

This connection to place is a crucial element of biophilic design, which Talina sees as essential for shifting societal mindsets around sustainability. She believes that biophilic principles can have a profound impact. ..

Read on and listen to /watch the podcast