From concrete to green: The shift toward biophilic design in modern real estate

The real estate landscape is ever-evolving, and this change has picked up a noticeable pace in preceding years. With the increasing interest in luxury living and the pandemic changing priorities, people are now inclining towards a sustainable lifestyle with more space and premium amenities under one roof. In India, buyers’ trust in new projects is increasing substantially, thanks to the state RERA’s more significant regulatory oversight.  

According to ANAROCK’s Annual Report 2024, NCR has seen a surge of over 200% YoY in the launch of the ultra-luxury segment. Interestingly, the ultra-luxury segment, with a property ticket size of over Rs 2.5 crores, contributed 59% of the share of the new launches. The report further states that 52% of total launches and sales in the NCR region belong to Gurugram alone, showcasing higher supply and demand equilibrium in the micro market. The studies also highlight the rapid inclination of homebuyers towards ultra-luxury real estate, especially in the NCR region.  

IBEF studies further prove it. According to the report, the luxury real estate sector grew by over 35 percent between January and September 2024. Aspiring homebuyers are now interested in bigger spaces, environment-friendly concepts, world-class amenities, and connectivity from work and other recreational areas. 

Biophilic residences are among the most traction-generating concepts in India these days. The trend of owning a home that intertwines the comfort of a metro city and the benefits of nature has been in the limelight for a few years. Among the most iconic and recognised examples of biophilic constructions is Gardens by the Bay in Singapore, which has been among the most visited places on the island. After India’s commitment to reduce carbon-emission intensity to 45% by the end of 2030 and reach net zero by 2070, developers and property buyers are shifting the focus towards biophilic properties.  

While biophilic residences contribute to environmental safety, residents also benefit from these concepts. Numerous factors, from refreshing aesthetics to mental and physical benefits, contribute to the increasing interest of homebuyers in biophilic homes. Hence, developers focus on conceptualising hybrid models with more natural influence than conventional balconies.  

Interestingly, the first commercial construction launched in India on a biophilic concept was in Kolkata in 2020 and soon created a long-term buzz in the city. The trend was introduced in NCR when homebuyers came across uber-premium projects. While the price point for these projects was for ultra-luxury homebuyers, the projects witnessed unexpected traction. Since then, developers across India have gotten on board to add biophilic concepts to their portfolios. 

The challenge to adapting such a concept in group housing is the high ticket size. To get everything right, you need to own land with quick connectivity, ample space to incorporate such a concept, great amenities to beat the competition in the market, and, most importantly, a project site close to social infrastructure. 

However, considering the ongoing demand among homebuyers for such properties and the need to consider the environment and overall well-being of people living in metropolitan cities, the biophilic theme is expected to last a very long time. Once developers crack the challenges, the price bracket for these projects will likely come down substantially, bringing more affordable luxury homes. This solution is expected to further translate into higher demand for such units. 

The article is authored by Sunil Jha, Sr. VP Architecture, BPTP. 

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author/authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of ET Edge Insights, its management, or its members