Design with Awareness, Passion & Intention

WHAT IS DESIGN FOR WELLNESS?

Below is a Transcription of an interview with Delahrose.

(It’s a more extended read than average)

I value myself more because I recognise some of the wisdom I possess that others find valuable and share. This is a powerful narrative: the transformative power of learning from someone and then passing it on.

Our environments should replenish, restore, inspire and nourish us, fostering greater engagement and involvement in our lives. We require more connection, not separation. We are experiencing far too much of the latter. While there are places for silence and meditation, there should also be spaces for engagement. Not everyone wants to join a tennis club, squash club or gym to exercise. However, people do crave connection, meaningful conversations and empowering insights into caring for their bodies, children, families and careers. This includes building, growing and expanding. These dynamic conversations should be more integrated into wellness. It is not about shutting off and switching off; it is about gathering information that simultaneously restores, nourishes and nurtures us. Our environments need to become dynamic and cater to a wide range of our desires and needs.

Question: Thank you. Can you talk about Design for Wellness? There will be about five areas. Please focus on residential structures. What it is and why it’s essential.

Delahrose: Okay. Well, in residential areas…

Question: Residential developments.

Delahrose: Residential developments deserve our appreciation. We need privacy. Imagine living in a cookie-cutter neighbourhood where your living room is practically next to your neighbour’s bedroom, and you can hear their conversations. This isn’t a wellness residential development; it’s a profit-driven, maximising-footprint creation that prioritises developers over homeowners.

Homeowners get a piece of land and a home that looks like everyone else’s. This isn’t the direction we should be heading. We need individuality and unique villages with their own distinct identities. Just painting your front door a different colour won’t cut it in these environments.

If you’re in one of these settings and want to create a more wellness-focused atmosphere, consider colour, lighting and screening. How can you make a slight separation from the noise next door? How can you create a buffer to shift your focus? The best you can achieve is to reduce stress. The only way to truly do this is to create something aesthetically pleasing that resonates with you, diverting your attention from what you dislike and focusing on what you love.

Question: Can you discuss design for wellness in residential developments from a developer’s perspective?

Delahrose: From the developer’s perspective, we need to understand that they’re primarily concerned with maximising returns on their land. This is why they’re building houses in such large numbers.

However, it’s not just about the size of the footprint; it’s also about the quality of the homes and how to create privacy. Instead of lining up houses like ducks, consider staggered layouts. This breaks up the monotony and adds texture, making the area feel more like a natural landscape rather than a factory-produced sprawl. Think about building an extra floor rather than just one flat landscape to cater to the desire for larger homes. This allows more land to be used effectively, potentially incorporating indoor and outdoor spaces that flow seamlessly into one another, creating a sense of expansion and a larger living area.

Furthermore, embrace the mythologies surrounding townhouses. They offer a beautiful resonance with the landscape, don’t take up much space, and have multiple levels. These features create a rich textual environment that appeals to those who prefer a level floor. By integrating outdoor spaces with indoor areas, you can make a lounge room that feels twice the size. This approach allows for a single language that extends from the indoor space to the deck, depending on the location. Given Australia’s intense sunlight, we shouldn’t be concerned about this aspect.

Question: Could you discuss the design of wellness in luxury resorts? What considerations should a luxury resort owner keep in mind when designing an alternative?

Delahrose: Placement is paramount. Public spaces, private rooms, activity areas, rest areas and dining areas should be clearly defined. Understanding how these elements communicate across the landscape is crucial.

For example, if a hotel has villas, how do they access the main building? How far must guests walk? Do they need buggies or can they stroll? Is the design focused on health and wellness or purely luxury? Clarifying the initial intention, desired experience, and how to master and manage it is essential. Materials play a key role. Soft, grounding materials create a sense of anchor and presence. Colour, soft fabrics and textures evoke feelings of safety, nurture and cocooning, making guests feel like they’re in a desirable resort setting.

Guests should feel able to experience something new at every corner. They should be delighted by unexpected discoveries and wonders. If the resort is surrounded by natural wildlife and bushland, guests should be able to take strolls and encounter unique experiences, such as turtles on the beach or giant geckos crossing the road. These are memorable moments that guests want to share.

When we build with the environment in mind, we’re mindful of the natural wildlife and create corridors that blend seamlessly with our construction. This involves appreciating the existing template. We consider the type of land we’re building on and the environment we’re creating. We examine the natural attributes of that environment and choose trees that will look good when they’re five years old but also mature into something beautiful at twenty. Ultimately, we understand the evolution of our creation and how its life force will continue to thrive through that process.

Question: That’s beautiful. You mentioned plans for wellness in homes, and I’d love to discuss the design. Could you elaborate on three aspects: principles for new builds, renovations, and rentals? Let’s begin with the design process for building a house. What wellness principles should guide your design?

Delahrose: Okay. The first thing to consider is the fundamental question: What do you need from your home? What features are essential to facilitate your lifestyle? For example, how many bedrooms do you need? How many children do you have? Do you prefer your kitchen to be separate from the dining area, or should they be integrated? Understanding your preferred way of moving through and using the space is the top priority. The next crucial aspect is your building envelope, which ideally should be addressed first—how do you want to live in the house? Following that, consider how to scale the house to fit your needs. Finally, it’s essential to consider your budget, as we must work within realistic parameters and understand the available funding.

For example, if I’m constructing something I know well, I can quickly create a home for around $350,000. It would likely be a beautiful wooden house equipped with a deck, solar panels, and quality pipes—avoiding plastic pipes due to their toxicity and potential leaching into water systems. The water would be filtered. It might lack extensive heated floors, as they consume energy and aren't essential; they’re more of a luxury than a necessity. The home would feature a lovely stove for cooking and a communal dining table in the kitchen, serving as both a prep space and a breakfast area. It would include two spacious bedrooms, approximately 4.5 sqm each, with walk-in wardrobes and en-suites. Between these rooms could be an open deck that serves as the entrance and a screened-off study area, making good use of a door to create a quiet space between the bedrooms. From there, you step into the living/dining area, a calm retreat connected to the garden for relaxation or reading. You can expand from this foundation. High ceilings are crucial because they add verticality, creating a sense of space and openness. This allows for a smaller footprint while still feeling spacious, as the perceived size of a home depends on spatial design and understanding of spatial elements.

Question: And can you talk about a renovation?

Delahrose: A renovation is usually when someone says, “Okay. I want to renovate because I feel cramped or don't have enough space.” Usually, the main reasons people want to renovate are (1) they're trying to capture more space or (2) they don't like the flow of their home. There are too many tiny rooms that just don't get utilised. That there’s not enough space to make any good out of them, so you'd approach it as, “Okay. What are you trying to achieve?” If it’s to build a better living room with a library, you can use the library ladder for various things. Then you approach it from “Okay. This room will easily be able to break into that room because this is not a structural wall.” You have to understand what your structure beams are. And where your structural foundation walls are, because you can't bust through those. You go to work with them.

And you've got to understand what walls you have that you cannot get away with. And it's learning how to harmonise those, so they’re no longer walls. They become beauty spots and features rather than saying, “Oh my God, I've got this big steel pipe that comes through the middle of my apartment, and it's just the nature of the building. But you know what I can do? I’ve got this big pipe.” Turn it into a feature. It can be a true songbird. It can be a real difference-maker, giving you a unique edge. That little bit of work makes us feel like we're living in a unique environment, unlike anyone else’s.

Question: And for renters?

Delahrose: Renters, it’s about learning to choose furniture that suits your living space. Unfortunately, you might find things don’t work. Often, it’s a matter of modification. You might not fit as much into this home as someone else. It’s also important to let go of things when it’s time for something better. If you’re clinging to items that worked in your previous home but don’t in this one, consider how long you’ll be here. Is it temporary? Are you building something new or just passing through? If it’s a short stay, think about lending it to a friend or selling it. This way, you can buy something that fits your current space and brings you peace and focus. It’s not about starting over every time you move; it’s about selecting pieces that become anchors, adaptable to most spaces, and using feature pieces to highlight them.

Question: Thank you. Can you talk about design for wellness in apartments where you might not have much outdoor space? If you have a balcony at all. And how you might feel well living with many people around you.

Delahrose: Right, so here’s what you need to do. When you’re decorating, you’re already fixated on the existing lighting. This is especially true if you’re renting in a dense, heavy community where your apartments will all look similar.

However, there are things you can change. You can add lamps, texture pieces, plants, fragrance, and candles. Create a quiet corner for yourself and designate a functional area for work, laundry, the kitchen, and a noisy space. Make sure to tuck away bins in a small, inconspicuous spot. Scan the room and see everything, but let the pieces resonate with you so you can add cushions. As I mentioned, beautiful lamps with fragrance and plants are excellent. Also, consider the positioning of furniture and avoid cluttering your work areas.

The key is to learn your layouts and what works for you. Don’t feel pressured to keep things you don’t love just because they’re your favourite. It might make you feel comfortable, but it’s not making you happy. It might not be an eyesore, but it’s not a good fit for your current living situation or your identity.

Question: Can you discuss the design for wellness in retail spaces?

Delahrose: Retail spaces are exciting. When I discuss retail spaces and wellness, it’s enjoyable because it’s about entertaining and delighting customers. It’s about understanding their needs and how they want to feel when they shop in a particular environment. Do they want to feel cramped and awkward, bumping into everything and knocking things over? That’s not going to attract customers. Instead, you want to create an inviting atmosphere where customers feel comfortable and relaxed.

This is especially important if your store needs to be browsed through. Think about your workspaces and how much space customers have to move around. Ensure your displays are sturdy and won’t fall over if bumped. Consider whether customers need assistance or can find what they want on their own. These elements contribute to a sense of wellness, which is about peace of mind and ease of shopping.

When customers feel this way, they’re more likely to revisit your store. They want to know they’ll find their favourite products, like peanut butter, or be captivated by beautiful displays. These experiences stop them in their tracks, uplift their spirits, and make them want to take a piece of that feeling home. Remember these moments and encourage customers to return to your store for another experience.

Question: Why is featured visual merchandising so crucial?

Delahrose: Visual merchandising is incredibly important. We’ve become a visual community, with the world driven by visual intent. Think Instagram, the internet – everything’s picture-driven. We crave visuals that inspire, expand our imagination and transport us to another realm. They take us on a mental journey or spark daydreams about joyful moments like walking down an arcade in Europe. People want to be moved, buy feelings and believe in experiences. Beautiful visual merchandising displays with stunning windows sell a sense, not just a product. They transport customers, encouraging them to think differently and see things they wouldn’t usually. This entertainment keeps them coming back for that feeling.

Question: Absolutely. What are the key design trends for wellness design in the next three years?

Delahrose: In the next three years, we’re seeing a shift in how we perceive death. It’s no longer something to mourn or feel guilty about; instead, it’s becoming a time to celebrate a person’s life, legacy and the impact they’ve had on us. This shift is influencing wellness design, which is now also being applied to school and childcare environments. The idea is that when we feel well, we perform better, just like plants that thrive when they’re healthy and produce more fruit. We need to adopt a more primal perspective and focus on self-improvement. While intellectual growth is essential, it’s not enough. We must feel better internally to maintain that growth and radiate that positive energy. When we feel good, we attract that energy back to ourselves, nourishing our well-being. Wellness travel is also gaining popularity, as people seek experiences that evoke emotions and create lasting memories. These journeys allow individuals to discover new aspects of themselves and gain a deeper understanding of their identities.

These are truly magnificent experiences. We now have wellness holidays, wellness living, and people are beginning to appreciate wellness. Instead of burning out and sitting in front of a computer for hours, we have pods where people can take a 10-minute break to recharge and return to their work.

Years ago, I worked in hospitality. My general manager would often lie flat on the floor in front of us. We’d ask, “What’s going on? Are you okay?” He’d reply, “I’m completely fine. I just need to shut down and restore myself before I can keep going.” He only needed five minutes to ground himself, and then he was ready to fire again.

I believe we don’t allow ourselves enough time for these moments. As we move towards the future of wellness, we’re starting to appreciate fitness for the earth and our plants. We’re thinking about how we eat our food, where it’s produced and how it’s made. We’re considering what we’re feeding when we support and buy products, and whether they’re ethically created. We’re also thinking about supporting artisans and small businesses that need to survive in this world. Everything we do has an impact. As we progress, we’re seeing how this impact affects our world, our footprint, our air quality and our spirit. We’re learning to take moments to say what we need and ask that question more often. People appreciate this and need a support system to help them develop their dynamic personalities. Therefore, wellness will increasingly focus on supporting people through their life transitions.

Question: I'm going to take it on a completely different track. Just to come back to homes. Can you talk about trends in kitchens and bathrooms, please?

Delahrose: Bathrooms are going to become a place where it's a reservoir. We need to understand that our bathrooms are not just places where we go in, dump our clothes in the laundry basket, take a quick shower, brush our teeth, go to the bathroom, and then just go out and, you know, watch TV.

Bathrooms are now becoming a ritual space where we go, “Ah, I want to clean my skin. I want to give myself a rap. I want to have a body scrub. I want to soak in a long tub. Or if I can't have a tub, then I want to be able to have a shower.” Maybe you can have… If you're building your own home, I recommend installing

steam showers to cleanse your senses. If you're renting, you don't have this luxury. I appreciate that, but you can still use humidifiers to clear your sinuses and nasal passages, helping you open your airways.

Bathrooms are a place of solace. They are a place to create softness for your spirit, where you can light a candle, be with yourself, nurture yourself, and cleanse your body. We have cleansing rituals.

Kitchens. Kitchens are all about where we eat, how we eat, what we eat, and how we prepare it. Do we like to have a lot of pantry items because we want to make many preserves, or how many dishes do we need? How much cupboard space do we need? Understanding the food that you're buying. You need larger areas in your fridge for your green products, so you've got all your green vegetables for your juicing. Is your juicer in a place where it's easy for you to clean and wash? Are you going to use it? If it's something that you've got to drag out of the cupboard or put on a bench, most of the time, people won’t utilise it as much as they could. It understands the flow and the layout of your kitchen. Do you like to have dehydrators? We don't want microwaves in the future. We're turning away from microwaves. We're trying to come back to slow cooking.

Question: Is there anything else? I'm just checking all the keywords. Anything else, design for wellness?

Delahrose: I think wellness truly comes from the more you know yourself and the more you know what you need to feel well. The more you vote, the more full of vitality you're going to feel.

Question: So when you design an environment for wellness… Could you talk about how people like to stay in those environments longer? Can you talk about commercially successful products and how they build business returns?

Delahrose: I can give you an example of… From a commercial point of view, in a retail environment. When you put some energy into your store, and when you put some energy from a hot space, it’s coming from love. You want something that resonates and looks beautiful, complete, abundant, and lush. Instantly, as soon as you make that commitment and set that intention, and then you find somebody like me who can bring that to life and create that for you, your ROI will go straight up. I've proven it over and over and over again. I feel so fixed on this because it's just proven. As soon as you create something people want to be a part of, you cannot help but make a profit.

Question: Thank you. It seems you’ve applied spa and resort design principles for wellness to other settings.

Delahrose: Yes, I did. I designed a beautiful penthouse apartment in a charming old wool store building. This building dates back about 150 years, so the developers renovated it, installed white doors on the front and made all the flats identical. It looked like a standard apartment block with lifts and numbered doors. However, it was in this incredible building. The Bolton ceilings were stunning, featuring old timber and large beams. I was amazed by the history and questioned why they’d replace it with plain white walls and doors. We couldn’t change it; it was part of the corporate structure. Despite this, I had the chance to design this penthouse apartment, which was just one level. It was a simple 250-square-metre flat with a balcony and windows overlooking the river. The view wasn’t of the river itself, but rather beautiful old casement windows.

Walking in, I was struck by the potential. I had strong ties to the spire industry at the time and instantly saw the building’s potential. Adding a mezzanine floor increased the footprint by 60 square metres. This allowed for a main bedroom upstairs and an entertainment area. We also had regulations requiring grills on windows for safety, so I designed windows with appealing grills. These were handmade by a talented artisan.

I wanted the windows to resemble cherry blossom branches adorned with cherry blossoms. Even though they were over the windows, they didn’t look like jail bars; instead, they resembled cherry bronze cherry blossoms. Consequently, I incorporated such elements into the design. Given the space's luxury, I included a Japanese bathhouse. I envisioned it as a yoga space, a dressing area and a cleansing space. I was able to achieve these goals. I installed Japanese seethed doors and placed Chinese rice paper between the glass. These doors are authentic and have a distinct personality. Furthermore, I raised the apartment’s floor by 300mm, creating what we call in the industry a floating floor. This was achieved by leaving a void under the concrete floor. While I could have opted for a timber floor that felt like a timber floor without being laminated or glued to a concrete base, this design choice provided greater freedom.

Walking through the apartment, you could see the river through the window. This improvement enhanced the return on investment because every room offered a view. I also uniquely paved the balcony, eliminating the concrete surface. This beautiful apartment deserves a harmonious design, so I chose a delicate slate to create a transition between the balcony and the main living area and kitchen. This transitional element ensured a seamless flow throughout the space.

In the corner of the apartment, I had a stunning floor-to-ceiling library space contained within a single footprint. I created nooks that offered different perspectives on the apartment, allowing you to experience it from various angles. Although the entire space was visible, stepping into the library and climbing the ladder to retrieve a book made you feel as if you were in a separate nook. This ability to create theatre and blend context and atmosphere is what I love most about creating. It gives you a unique resonance that you wouldn’t find anywhere else, as it’s your own personal home.

Delahrose Roobie Myer

Awaken Designs