Rethinking the Glass House: What the World’s Healthiest Homes Can Teach Miami
We’re Obsessed with Wellness—But Not at Home
Miami and Costa Rica sit on the same latitude, but they represent two very different relationships to nature. Miami is cosmopolitan, fast-moving, and built for control—glass boxes, sealed interiors, and round-the-clock air conditioning. Costa Rica is slower-paced, less developed, and deeply intertwined with the environment. There, the climate is gentler, and homes are open by both necessity and tradition.
Around the world, people are retreating into nature—booking remote cabins, seeking digital detoxes, and longing for immersive, restorative environments. Wellness travel is projected to grow over 20% annually, reaching $1.3 trillion by 2025, according to the Global Wellness Institute. It far outpaces the overall tourism market as people increasingly seek experiences that nourish the body and mind.
Wellness travel is the future—but the wellness home is still overlooked.
The Origins of Wellness at Home
Long before terms like biophilic design appeared in architecture journals, humans instinctively built for health. Ancient dwellings across cultures were oriented to the sun, constructed with local materials, and designed for airflow, protection, and rest. These choices weren’t aesthetic—they were survival-based, and they shaped how we lived.
As urbanization and technology advanced, many of these instincts disappeared. Modern homes became more efficient but less connected. The first formal return to this thinking came in the 1980s, when biologist E.O. Wilson introduced the idea of biophilia—our innate human need to connect with nature.
What Is Biophilic Design?
Biophilic design is the architectural and interior design response to Wilson’s concept. It’s not about adding houseplants—it’s about rethinking the entire sensory experience of a home:
Letting in natural light that shifts throughout the day
Creating visual depth with views of greenery, sky, or natural elements
Using warm, textured materials like stone, clay, wood, and linen
Encouraging natural airflow and acoustic calm
Building in moments of stillness and clarity
Cultures around the world model this beautifully—from Japan’s garden-view thresholds to Scandinavian wood-clad interiors and Costa Rica’s breezy layouts made from local materials.
Why It Matters in Miami
Miami homes are designed to survive heat and storms. But in the process, they’ve become overly sealed, sound-filled, and visually flat.
Most interiors rely solely on artificial light
Air is constantly recirculated through HVAC systems
Windows are fixed and rarely operable
Surfaces are often synthetic, cold, and non-porous
The result is homes that look incredible in photos but feel disconnected in daily life. We’ve optimized for protection but sacrificed restoration.
What We Can Learn from the World’s Healthiest Homes
We don’t need to mimic jungle living. But we can borrow smart, wellness-forward strategies from around the globe and adapt them to South Florida’s climate:
From Bali: Use layered shading (pergolas, overhangs) to reduce heat while preserving light
From Scandinavia: Choose warm, natural textures over sleek, high-gloss finishes
From Japan: Frame natural outdoor views, even in compact spaces
From Costa Rica: Prioritize airflow, ceiling fans, and natural materials
From Germany: Build for quiet with better insulation and sound control
These aren’t trends—they’re principles rooted in how humans thrive.
What We Can Learn from Costa Rica
During a recent season living in Punta Banco with my kids, I saw firsthand how simple, exposed homes can shift your entire rhythm. Life felt simpler. The pace slowed down. Without constant noise, screens, and artificial light, our bodies adjusted naturally to the day.
It made me realize that many modern homes are overstimulating by design—and that comfort can also come from quiet, texture, and space to unwind.
We don’t need to return to the past. But we do need to rethink how our homes support our bodies, minds, and daily rhythms. That starts with embracing more natural airflow, better transitions to the outdoors, and materials that support calm, not chaos.
Wellness can’t just be something we travel for. It should be something we come home to.