As one of our Nine Core Elements, we consciously incorporate nature and light into all aspects of our residence. Our commons spaces are lush with plants and beautiful gardens. Floor-to-ceiling windows fill apartments and common spaces with natural light, and our SkyPark offers an oasis in the city for all to enjoy.
What is it about nature that is so important to our well-being? It is deeply rooted in evolution and is a key part of the continued restoration of energy. It invigorates us and helps alleviate the stresses and negative effects of day-to-day living.
Because natural light is so important to our well-being, we have been sure to welcome it on every floor of our residence. Proven to be therapeutic in providing an immediate positive effect, natural light lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, and boosts our immune system. The biophilia hypothesis gives anecdotal and qualitative evidence suggesting that humans are innately drawn to nature. Edward O. Wilson initially brought forth this idea when he published a book called Biophilia in 1984. When connected to nature, humans are indeed healthier, and that concept has been echoed through many industries, including green design, architecture, and materials.
We sat down with Handel Architects to find out more about the importance of nature at Inspīr Carnegie Hill.
From Handel’s perspective, why are all the garden spaces so important to residents?
It became clear to us at the very first meeting that the ideas for Inspīr were going to be about connecting the building and the people to the outdoors, to daylight, to nature. We talked a lot about what that means to people and their lives, and how it enhances quality of life. Every design decision in the creation of this flagship project was approached with the goal of providing Inspīr residents with meaningful connections to nature, to the outdoors, to the city, and to their purpose in the building’s community—essential values in life as we age.
Where else did Handel incorporate nature into the design of Inspīr Carnegie Hill?
Handel prioritized the integration of nature throughout our design of the building, from the rich, planted entrance canopy bridging between inside and out, to the interior gardens interconnecting the lower levels, to the planted terraces that weave their way up the building’s façade. At the center of the building is the SkyPark, a monumental multifunctional space interspersed with large indoor gardens, connected to the outdoors and to the city below with a wraparound terrace where residents can meander through the fragrant garden around the building’s perimeter. The SkyPark, which Handel named, was developed to give residents who might not otherwise be able to get out a place to go to share in the healing benefits and the feeling of well-being when in the presence of nature.
The connection with nature exists in each apartment, as each has stunning floor-to-ceiling windows featuring views of New York City. Our amenity areas on each floor have lush window boxes with sliding glass windows so residents can tend the gardens and take in the natural surroundings. Larger amenity spaces on the first, second, and seventeenth floors all have indoor garden spaces. The dining room in our 1802 restaurant has a large terrarium in the second room, which opens to the elements above on the second-floor terrace area. Another garden space from the lobby reaches up to the second-floor library, and adjacent to the art room on the second floor is a spacious outdoor terrace area that provides a natural retreat for residents.
High on the seventeenth floor, our SkyPark has been designed to capture natural light with ease. Double-height ceilings in the main space look out onto the wraparound terrace planted with a selection of hardy perennials. Year-round residents and their families can enjoy this incredible space. During the colder months, comfortable custom-made sofas are clustered around a floor-to-ceiling fireplace. In warmer months, the doors open to the outdoors, furnished with chaise lounges and chairs upholstered in weather-resistant fabrics.
In addition to designing the residence to incorporate natural light wherever possible, we have purposely made a conscious effort to bring in as much fresh air as possible. While this was planned from the beginning, the threat from the current pandemic has driven us to reevaluate all of our building systems to ensure we are doing all we can to deliver the optimal environment for healthy living. From increased airflow to enhanced air filtration, UV light sanitizers, and thermal cameras used to aid in health screenings and detect elevated body temperatures, Inspīr Carnegie Hill is implementing additional precautions in light of the current pandemic circling the globe.
The combination of natural light and fresh air is a critical element of wellness within Inspīr Carnegie Hill. According to the Engineering News Report, “People sense they are in a healthy building when there is great daylight and the air smells fresh and not stagnant. That healthy feeling can be enhanced by open windows or doors and help occupants feel energized from sunlight and clear views to nature. The ability to easily access the outdoors via terraces and balconies further supports the health benefits. Occupants feel safer and more comfortable when their environment supports their health.”
That connection to nature is elemental, and for our residents, our primary concern is that they not only feel healthy but that they know the building they live in is healthy.
To learn more about the healthy lifestyle we offer, please contact us to reserve your future today.
