London has a beautiful biophilic apartment complex
Canada Gardens is a 743-unit apartment complex in Wembley Park, London, managed by Quintain Living. Fossey Arora, the firm in charge of interior design, centered the apartments around the theme of biophilia, our innate human need to connect to nature and living things around us. Aside from its connection to the natural world, biophilic design provides various benefits to one’s wellbeing. These range from enhanced mood, stress reduction and improved air quality.
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In a typical urban landscape, interiors that actively engage with nature are limited. However, Canada Gardens challenges this convention. Nature is brought indoors through natural materials and vegetation, thus evoking coziness and tranquility throughout the property.
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Furthermore, natural materials and color palettes are one of the primary biophilic elements throughout the apartment complex. Wood is one of the key materials used on the interior and provides the spaces with a homey feel. This is complemented by earthy greens, soft greys and pops of blue featured in the furniture and finishes. Wood also makes an appearance in Canada Gardens’ outdoor amenities. A wooden pirate ship playground and work-from-home sheds in the vast gardens engulf residents in a natural envelope, enhancing wellbeing and encouraging creativity and productivity.
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Vegetation is another key feature that the designers incorporated. Residents have access to an acre of garden space, including flowerbeds, large trees and grassy lawns speckled with outdoor kitchens and barbecues for resident use. Gardening beds for fruits and vegetables are also available for hire. This, in turn, reduces residents’ carbon footprints and fosters a deeper connection with the food they eat.
Plants brought into the shared interior spaces further improve the internal environment and resident-wellbeing. The clubhouse, which serves as a leisurely community hub, is studded with hanging baskets and potted displays. Additionally, the super-lobby features Ficus Nitida trees and Monstera planters. These complement the suspended garden from the library balcony above, which will form a dense green wall over time.
While Canada Gardens is a recent development in London, its biophilic approach creates spaces that look and feel good to live in, enriching the lives of residents.