How the WELL Building Standard Has Changed

The WELL Building Standard is an innovative certification program focused on occupant well-being, and it’s preparing for some exciting new changes. Founded by Delos and the International Well Building Institute (IWBI), WELL launched in 2014 with the goal of creating a universal standard that promoted healthier environments for humans, and since then it’s broken new … Read more

What is Reclaimed Wood? (& Other Frequently Asked Questions)

Reclaimed wood is gaining significant popularity as a building material, finding its way into a wide range of spaces, including renowned establishments like Google’s offices and local coffee shops. Its appeal is particularly strong in commercial projects, thanks to its multitude of health benefits, sustainable attributes, captivating story, and breathtaking aesthetic. At TerraMai, we receive … Read more

Stairs Worth Staring At: How to Make Stair Treads Beautiful

Stairs are an architectural feature that not only provide an opportunity to create a focal point but well-designed, beautiful stairs encourage physical activity and create opportunities for spontaneous interactions and can even be places for collaboration. With the biophilic movement and building standards like WELL, Fitwel and Living Building Challenge, stairs present interesting opportunities to … Read more

Blackened & Burned Wood: Why Shou Sugi Ban is More Than A Design Trend

This year, there is a bevy of new, interesting design trends. Almost all of these trends have three things in common: biophilia, sustainability, and authenticity. These goals are what underlie some of the most popular design trends today, from reclaimed wood to net-zero energy usage. Architects and designers are looking for new and innovative ways … Read more

Healing Patterns: The Biophilic Effect of Patterns in Nature

Throughout the millennia, architects, mathematicians, and psychologists have all been fascinated by the various patterns that appear in nature. From the Fibonacci sequence to fractals, patterns have proven to be an important part of the natural world. What is especially interesting is the fact that humans resonate so strongly with these patterns. My aim in … Read more

How Reclaimed Wood Achieves Environmental and Aesthetic Objectives in Architecture

The crossroads of aesthetic and sustainable design objectives has always piqued my interest. Aesthetics are not limited by sustainability but it is interesting to view sustainable design as a way to achieve certain aesthetic objectives. Eco-friendly building design is mainstream thinking in the Architecture & Design world, and that juncture offers exciting opportunities to create … Read more

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