Designing for mental wellbeing - a Q&A with Biofilico's Founder, Matt Morley
matt morley, biofilico
Entering the World of Wellness Interior Design
Q. Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to specialize in wellness-focused design?
I worked in mixed-use real estate development for a decade as a Creative Director before transitioning into wellness interiors and sustainability, combining my personal passions and skill set into one. That set the course for the second decade of my career to date.
What is Wellness Focused Interior Design?
Wellness-focused interior design is an innovative approach that places the health and wellbeing of occupants at the forefront of design decisions.
This method goes beyond aesthetics, aiming to create environments that support both physical and mental health.
By considering factors such as natural light, indoor air quality, acoustics, and sustainable materials, wellness-focused interior design crafts spaces that are not only beautiful but also beneficial to our overall wellbeing.
The built environment significantly impacts our health. Research indicates that well-designed interiors can enhance cognitive function, elevate mood, and reduce stress and anxiety.
Interior designers specializing in wellness-focused design leverage evidence-based research to create spaces that foster health and wellbeing.
Key principles of wellness-focused interior design include:
Maximizing natural light and ventilation: Natural light is crucial for regulating our circadian rhythms and boosting mood.
Using sustainable and non-toxic materials: These materials improve indoor air quality and reduce exposure to harmful chemicals.
Incorporating natural elements: Plants and water features can create a calming and restorative environment.
Promoting physical activity: Design elements that encourage movement, such as open spaces and active design features, support physical health.
Designing for mental health: Thoughtful use of color, texture, and layout can promote relaxation and emotional wellbeing.
By integrating these principles, wellness-focused interior designers create spaces that not only look great but also enhance the health and wellbeing of their occupants.
Strategies for wellness interior design
Q. What key principles guide your approach when designing spaces that prioritize occupant well-being?
Essentially I’m putting physical and mental wellbeing at the centre of my world view as a design consultant, right there alongside planetary health.
So mine is a joined-up, 360 approach that prioritizes our own needs as building residents without compromising on a commitment to minimize real estate’s impact on the environment. It’s not one or the other but both combined.
This approach aligns with the principles of wellness architecture and wellness design, focusing on enhancing health and well-being through thoughtful architectural choices, such as air quality, acoustics, natural materials, and strategic layouts.
I see this as an inter-generational responsibility that we have inherited from those that came before us, and that we will pass on to those that come after us.
Being a good ancestor means tackling this responsibility head on today and every day with the work I do for clients, be they universities, coliving developers, workplaces or hotel brands.
From indoor air quality to natural light - towards a comprehensive healthy building plan
Q. What are some key design elements that can immediately improve a building’s wellness credentials?
It’s a mix of what I think of as ‘set pieces’ and building wide initiatives.
A set piece would be a physical space assigned a specific purpose like a multi-purpose fitness room, a recharge room for quiet moments, lactation area for mums, bicycle storage and showers for active commuters, a verdant terrace area for nature contact, and so on.
Artificial light can simulate natural daylight in these spaces, impacting health, productivity, and overall well-being, especially where natural light is limited.
Then there are building wide initiatives such as active design to promote movement during the day, be that through activated stairwells, standing desks or motivational signage at strategic locations to encourage walking.
Biophilic design that brings the outside world in can create uplifting, restorative spaces proven to reduce anxiety, boost mood and restore concentration levels.
The importance of interior environments in relation to mental health and circadian rhythms cannot be overstated, as these environments significantly impact well-being.
The role of healthy materials
Q. What role do materials play in promoting wellness within a space? Are there specific materials or finishes you prefer?
Carefully chosen interior fit-out building materials can significantly impact indoor air quality and overall well-being by reducing a project’s environmental impact whilst also preventing the introduction of harmful toxins into the building.
This is a big part of our work designing wellbeing interiors, so we really go deep into sourcing natural, low VOC, recycled and low emission materials wherever possible, ideally sourced from local suppliers within a 100km radius of the project site, or brought in by shipping container rather than air freight.
We’re working with FSC certified wood, corks, ceramics, and a plethora of new biomaterials, recycled plastic solutions and so on.
Design for the International WELL Building Standard
Q. How do you ensure your designs align with WELL Building Standard criteria?
We work with clients both to create custom wellness strategies inspired by or aligned with the WELL Standard, and design interiors maximized for WELL credits to help boost a certification score.
I’m on the International Well Building Advisory for 2025 and the team there are constantly innovating to push the industry forward, it’s such an impressive operation.
WELL is the guiding light we all follow but it need not be a daunting undertaking for smaller clients, I always say ‘do with what you can!’, take a category or two and focus on that for now. Something is better than nothing, and keep iterating!
Aligning interiors with WELL credits
Q. What advice would you give designers and contractors striving to implement WELL-compliant features effectively?
Having an experienced WELL AP on the team is a huge help but remember the true purpose of WELL is to create healthier buildings and interiors, if it becomes a mere box ticking exercise then you’ve gone off course.
Keep coming back to the basics: a focus on maximizing human wellbeing in buildings without losing site of planetary health; use that as your guiding light as you work through the process.
Common mistakes by aspiring wellness interior designers
Q. What are some common mistakes designers or contractors make when trying to create healthy interiors, and how can they avoid them?
What are some of the most common challenges you face in implementing wellness elements, and how do you navigate them?
Balancíng the budget, sustainability and wellbeing factors together can be complex. There is also the risk of focusing too much on minor details that, while important, do relatively little to move the needle overall.
So I try to focus on the big ticket items, those are the battles I choose to pick first. Things like furniture, flooring, ceiling panels, drywall and wall finishes are top of my list.
Wellness in commercial interior design
Q. How do you see the role of interior designers evolving as wellness becomes a greater priority in commercial design?
Longevity residences are the next iteration of healthy buildings, taking the principles of wellness interiors and combining them with some of the latest tech for improving health span.
This goes beyond merely staying fit and healthy today, to a more strategic, longer term view of wellness.
How to apply wellness principles in interior design
Q. What advice would you give designers who want to better understand and apply wellness principles in their projects?
Studying the WELL Standard is fundamental, whether then pursuing the AP exam or not, there is so much information available open-source on their website, it can become a bible for evidence based design decisions in a healthy buildings.
Emphasizing the importance of mental and physical health in wellness interior design is crucial. Incorporating biophilic elements and non-toxic materials can significantly enhance wellness by reducing stress, improving concentration, and promoting overall health.
Personally, developing expertise in my personal life around fitness, gyms, biohacking, air quality and water quality in my home, and a recent focus on mental wellness have all helped in my professional life as well.
It’s hard to pull the two apart now, so I really am all in on this. It’s about coherence and consistency.
Biophilic Design
Biophilic design is an approach that integrates elements of the natural world into the built environment, fostering a connection between people and nature.
Coined by biologist E.O. Wilson, the term “biophilia” describes our innate tendency to seek connections with nature. Biophilic design leverages this concept to create interior spaces that promote wellbeing by incorporating natural elements such as plants, natural light, and water features.
The benefits of biophilic design for physical and mental health are well-documented. These include:
Reduced stress and anxiety: Natural elements can create a calming effect, helping to lower stress levels.
Improved mood and cognitive function: Exposure to nature has been shown to boost mood and enhance cognitive performance.
Increased productivity and creativity: Natural environments can stimulate creativity and improve focus.
Enhanced physical health: Access to natural light and fresh air can improve overall physical health.
Key elements of biophilic design include:
Incorporating plants and greenery: Adding plants to interior spaces can improve air quality and create a sense of tranquility.
Using natural materials: Materials like wood and stone bring a touch of the natural world indoors.
Maximizing natural light and ventilation: Ensuring ample natural light and fresh air can significantly enhance the indoor environment.
Incorporating water features: Elements like fountains or aquariums can create a soothing atmosphere.
Creating a sense of connection to nature: Design strategies that mimic natural patterns and forms can foster a deeper connection to the natural world.
By embracing these elements, biophilic designers create spaces that not only look beautiful but also promote health and wellbeing.
Acoustic Performance
Acoustic performance is a crucial aspect of interior design that significantly impacts our physical and mental health. Poor acoustic performance can lead to distractions, stress, and anxiety, while good acoustic performance can foster relaxation, focus, and productivity.
Several factors influence acoustic performance, including:
Sound absorption and reflection: Materials that absorb sound can reduce noise levels and improve acoustic comfort.
Background noise levels: Managing background noise is essential for creating a peaceful environment.
Reverberation time: Controlling the time it takes for sound to decay can enhance speech clarity and reduce echo.
Sound transmission: Preventing sound from traveling through walls and floors can maintain privacy and reduce disturbances.
Interior designers can enhance acoustic performance by using various materials and design strategies, such as:
Acoustic panels and sound-absorbing materials: These can be strategically placed to reduce noise and improve sound quality.
Sound-reducing surfaces: Carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture can help absorb sound and reduce noise levels.
Designing with sound-absorbing shapes: Curved surfaces and irregular shapes can help diffuse sound and minimize echo.
Sound-masking systems: These systems can introduce background noise to mask unwanted sounds and create a more comfortable acoustic environment.
By prioritizing acoustic performance, interior designers can create spaces that support relaxation, focus, and productivity, ultimately enhancing the overall wellbeing of occupants.