Mastering the Architectural Artistry of Biophilic Design

Photo: Audrey Hall

The term biophilic is described as an approach to architectural design incorporating natural elements to create healthy, productive spaces by connecting people to the surrounding native environment. JLF Architects in Bozeman, Montana is a firm that has made an art out of biophilic design through their expertise and years of experience.

JLF Architects Founder Emeritus, Paul Bertelli, explains that in many ways, all the work he does is biophilic. “We strive to articulate a sense of natural presence,” he says. “Ultimately, the structure should feel inextricable from the setting, embedded in its surrounds, a building that has been and always will be.”

Photo: Audrey Hall

An impeccable example of a biophilic approach is a 7,500 square foot five-bath, four- bedroom home in Jackson, Wyoming. Featuring a four-season outdoor room for year-round gathering and entertaining, the dwelling faces stunning views of the snowy mountain and cliffs of the Grand Tetons. The property also includes a seemingly detached, 1000 square foot guest house that is accessible to the main home via underground tunnel.

Windows that open to landscape, outdoor decks and gathering spaces, and water features bring the outdoors in, and connect it with the surrounding terrain. This home achieves the goal of a smaller footprint by building upward to fit seamlessly into the hillside. “The vertical build with stone components creates a vibrant, multi-generational family home,” says Bertelli. “The flow within the main residence and the guest space is made easy and comfortable.”

Photo: Audrey Hall

Inside, furnishings and artwork are elegant. The simplicity of color and scale meaningfully suits the spaces without overwhelming the natural beauty of the design. Everything is consistent throughout to maintain the integration between nurture and nature. The stunning views of the surrounding scenery change seasonally, creating functional luxury that embraces nature in all its iterations. The contrast of rough-hewn wood, natural stone, and a color palette inspired by the environment creates a seamless transition from inside to outdoors.

Interior spaces are meticulously designed to harmoniously include amenities that offer luxe ease and comfort. “The owners enjoy entertaining, and the home is flooded with family and friends,” explains Bertelli. Built as a luxury legacy property by master craftsmen, this abode will endure for generations to come. A place that remains true to its own history, this dwelling accommodates everyone with the ease of timeless, earthy luxury living that will abide for years.

Photo: Audrey Hall

Photo: Audrey Hall