Sustainability Meets Luxury: How biophilic design is shaping modern real estate – Money News

India’s real estate landscape is constantly evolving, and this transformation has accelerated in recent years. With growing interest in luxury living and shifting priorities post-pandemic, homebuyers are increasingly drawn to sustainable lifestyles, spacious designs, and premium amenities under one roof. Trust in new projects is rising significantly, thanks to stricter regulatory oversight by state RERA authorities.

According to ANAROCK’s Annual Report 2024, NCR has witnessed a massive 247% YoY surge in ultra-luxury residential launches. Interestingly, the ultra-luxury segment, with a property ticket size of over Rs 2.5 crore, 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.

Aspiring homebuyers are now interested in bigger spaces, environment-friendly concepts, world-class amenities, and connectivity from work and other recreational areas. No wonder, Biophilic Design, which integrates natural elements into the built environment, is gaining momentum across urban planning, workplaces, hospitality, and residential developments worldwide.

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“In India, with its diverse climate and rich biodiversity, the biophilic design philosophy is being adopted in a more discerning manner, drawing influence from traditional and vernacular architecture, Vastu principles, as well as modern architectural design. The post-pandemic shift towards remote and hybrid work has further accelerated demand for such spaces, with homebuyers seeking more than just a residence—prioritizing sustainability, wellness, and a stronger connection to nature. Developers are adapting to this shift, and a few biophilic projects have already emerged across India. While still evolving, the trend is catching up and elements of it such as vertical gardens, indoor green spaces, water bodies, and enhanced natural ventilation are becoming increasingly common in current and upcoming residential projects,” says Rahul Purohit, Co-founder & Chief Business Officer, Square Yards.

Sunil Jha, Sr. VP-Architecture, BPTP, says, “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.”

Ravi Shankar Singh, Managing Director, Residential Transaction Services, Colliers India, says mental health is a big concern today with the increased stress levels most working professional’s encounter. Biophilic designs help in a big way to calm your mind by bringing nature closer to your homes.

“This helps one to relax and is aesthetically very pleasing. Developers are focusing on this greatly as they want to provide their customers with opportunities to live and work in healthy places and spaces with less stress and greater overall health and well-being,” he adds.

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,” informs Jha.

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 for 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.