Colorado-Real-Estate-Journal_474477

Page 4 — Multifamily Properties Quarterly — August 2025 www.crej.com “This feels like it was made for me.” – Gaston Bachelard E very developer knows the language of the bottom line: price per square foot, cost per door, occupancy rates. But ask a resident why they stay in a place (or why they leave) and their answer rarely involves spreadsheets. Instead, it’s a feeling. This space just feels like home. That intangible quality – comfort, connection, calm – isn’t luck. It’s design. And increasingly, the most competitive communities are those designed not just for function, but for dwelling in the truest sense of the word. The body understands what the mind doesn’t always name As philosopher Maurice Merleau- Ponty wrote, “The body is our gen- eral medium for having a world.” Before we process a space intellec- tually, we absorb it physically. Our nervous system responds to light, texture, sound, and temperature. A hallway can be more than a cor- ridor; it can be a passage that calms or energizes. A corner can offer ref- uge. A skylight can lift our thinking. This is the essence of biophilic design: using our innate connection to nature to shape how spaces feel. It’s not just about greenery or sun- light. It’s about rhythm, materiality, and emotional resonance. And it’s increasingly proving to be a power- ful differentiator in the spaces we create as design professionals. Biophilic design drives measur- able returns. Com- munities with nat- ural light, organic materials, and thoughtful spatial rhythms tend to outperform their peers – not just in how they look, but in how they lease. In a recent study published by the National Library of Medicine, residential environments that incorporated biophilic ele- ments led to a 61% boost in overall well-being and a 55% improvement in mental health outcomes. These aren’t just wellness stats; they’re directly tied to the metrics devel- opers care about: higher retention, stronger community bonds, and lower turnover costs. Beauty, memory and market performance In practice, it matters how we organize space and light to opti- mize the impact of biophilic design. We know that incorporating natu- ral lighting in common areas and living spaces significantly boosts mood and productivity. While data reinforces the value of surroundings that restore us in the way nature always has, the challenge now is to bring those qualities into everyday life. Subtle design choices shape real human behavior. In today’ s high-stress world, d eliv- ering spaces that improve how we heal, focus, and connect can be a powerful differentiator and a com- petitive edge. Two communities may look identical on paper – similar layout, location and amenity mix. But one leases up quickly, while the other struggles. Why? Because memory lives in moments. As Gas- ton Bachelard put it, “The house allows one to dream in peace.” Great design invites those small, anchoring memories: morning light across a warm floor, the quiet pause of a tucked-away reading nook, the sense of ease in moving through a space that feels right. These experiences don’t just elevate daily life; they build emo- tional attachment. And emotional attachment builds long-term value for residents, owners and investors alike. In Colorado, nature is not a luxury, it’s a lifestyle In Denver, where it’s not unusual for people to begin their day on a trail and end it in a conference room, that rhythm of movement between nature and structure is powerful when it is also reflected in the spaces we inhabit. When Angela Harris CEO, TRIO TAKING CARE OF THE WAY YOU DO BUSINESS CORE SERVICES All Part of the Gables Family We Are Your Trusted Partners Entrusting a company with your assets is more than just a business transaction - it’s the start of a powerful partnership. We realize that choosing the right management team is vital to the value and return on your investment. Lease Up Experience Development Consulting Accounting Marketing Signature Service Revenue Management Sustainability Facilities Management Business Intelligence Audit & Risk Management HR Training & Recruiting Due Diligence Our reputation as a third-party management company speaks for itself. We offer over 40 years of experience and a portfolio comprised of 50% third-party owned communities. Custom and hospitality-focused service is what inspires us. We are about creating long-term relationships built upon trust, caring and respect. This mindset is carried through to our residents, fellow associates, vendors, our company and our third-party clients. CONTACT 404.923.5509 Mary Hollands partnerships@gables.com www.gables.com Natural design: Bringing the outside in(side) Please see Harris, Page 20 Eric Lucero Photography Solana Winchester Club