Introduction
“Wellness real estate” is a growing concept. How would you define a wellness-oriented real estate development compared to a traditional one?
I just returned from this year’s Global Wellness Real Estate Symposium in New York City. The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) defines wellness real estate as built environments that are proactively designed, constructed, and operated to support the holistic health of occupants, visitors, and the wider community. These projects must be intentionally created to promote health and well-being across multiple dimensions.
What philosophy guides your projects in this area?
We envision a community that brings together the natural environment and personal well-being. Our development offers a lifestyle that integrates cultural, social, and physical wellness. We are focused on building a community of like-minded individuals who share our values, with deep respect for nature and the planet, guided by principles of tolerance and diversity.
Our Vision and Mission for Valle de Los Senderos: My personal goal is to create an organic and collaborative environment. That means achieving balance and harmony among the elements while adding value to the community through innovation and empathy.
Innovation and Trends
What wellness real estate trends (e.g., biophilia, multigenerational spaces) do you find most disruptive today?
Many design-driven movements have emerged among architects, designers, and planners in response to the shortcomings of modern living environments. Most focus on the scale of a building or development and address specific populations or challenges. Examples include encouraging physical activity (active design); fostering a reconnection with nature (biophilic design); promoting spiritual harmony (feng shui, vastu shastra, sacred geometry); creating inclusive environments for people with disabilities (universal design); and addressing the needs of aging populations (transgenerational or multigenerational design). These movements offer a valuable toolkit of concepts and approaches that can be integrated to create healthier, more holistic built environments that support both physical and mental well-being.
Design and Health
How do you translate these trends into concrete architectural or design solutions (e.g., materials, spatial layout)?
There are many design features, infrastructure choices, amenities, and services that can support wellness in its many forms. Today, we are just beginning to understand how the materials—both synthetic and natural—as well as light, sound, and other aspects of our built environment affect our personal and planetary health.
Advancements in material science and construction practices are now giving rise to healthier, eco-friendly options for our homes and communities: air-purifying paints, lighting systems that regulate mood and sleep, and other innovations. The ongoing wave of technological integration—including smart homes, robotics, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality—will continue to reshape the way we live in and interact with both physical and virtual spaces, and how we connect with each other.
Wellness real estate is not just about where we live—it’s about how we live. And that requires a thoughtful, inclusive, and future-oriented approach to design.
