Wellness is one of the most talked-about ideas in real estate development right now — and one of the most misapplied. In this episode, I explore why wellness should be embedded in development strategy from day one, rather than treated as something to add in once the architecture is largely fixed. I look at what genuine wellness integration actually means across different asset types — residential, hospitality, offices and mixed-use — and why the distinction between wellness amenities and a real wellness strategy matters more than ever in an increasingly crowded market. If you work in development, design, investment or hospitality, this one is for you.

 * greenhealthyplaces.com [https://www.greenhealthyplaces.com/]
 * biofilico.com [https://biofilico.com/]
 * biofit.io [https://biofit.io/]

GHP 094: From wellness amenities to wellness strategy

In this episode we explore a topic that is often underestimated, even in my own circles, and yet fundamental to how we feel, think and perform in an indoor environment > lighting. 

I'm talking to Farah Naser of Tactile Architectural Lighting Consultancy in Rotterdam, The Netherlands whose work focuses specifically on how to use light not just as a visual tool but as a biological and emotional driver of wellbeing.

 * Tactile Lighting [https://www.tactile-lighting.com/] website
 * Tactile Lighting [https://www.instagram.com/tactile_lighting/] instagram
 * Green Healthy Places [https://www.greenhealthyplaces.com/]

GHP 093: Lighting for wellbeing with Farah Naser of Tactile Lighting

Welcome back to the Green Healthy Places podcast, where we explore how to create buildings and interiors that actively support health and wellbeing, while respecting the planet too. 

Today I’m joined by Krista Rochat-Boeser. Krista is a specialist health club designer with deep experience in the US premium fitness market, including around 14 years at LifeTime where she held senior design leadership responsibilities across multiple flagship and luxury club projects. 

Krista is now based in Bali and is supporting me directly on a number of Biofit gym design projects, so this conversation is very much an expert-to-expert discussion. 

We go beyond aesthetics and equipment lists to focus on what actually makes a health club work: the strategic intentions of each particular space—whether that’s enhancing performance, community, or revenue—and how design decisions, along with service and operations, shape a member’s sense of safety, comfort, and belonging.

 * kristarb.my.canva.site/ [https://kristarb.my.canva.site/]
 * greenhealthyplaces.com/ [https://www.greenhealthyplaces.com/]
 * biofit.io/ [https://biofit.io/]

GHP 092: Designing athletic health clubs

Welcome to episode 91 of the Green Healthy Places podcast in which we discuss the themes of wellbeing and sustainability in the built environment, from buildings to interiors.

Today we’re in the UK talking to Adam Masters, Assistant Director of Environment and Sustainability at Stonewater, one of the UK’s largest social housing providers, with 40,000 homes delivered across the country, an annual turnover of around £300 million and fixed assets on the books of £3.1billion.

Stonewater offer homes for rent, shared ownership, and purchase with specialised services such as retirement and supported living schemes, safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community, domestic abuse refugees, and young people’s foyers. So we’re going to cover the green, the healthy and the ethical in residential real estate.

 * Stonewater.org/ [https://www.stonewater.org/]
 * Stonewater on Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/stonewateruk/posts/?feedView=all]
 * Green Health Places [https://www.greenhealthyplaces.com/]



GHP 091: Stonewater healthy social housing

Welcome to episode 090 of the Green Healthy Places podcast in which we discuss the themes of wellbeing and sustainability in our built environment. For this episode I’m in Morocco talking to Jerome Schanker, Founder & CEO of La Tour d’Eole in Dakhla, an upmarket eco-resort with a strong wellness and outdoor watersports angle, specifically kitesurfing, windsurfing and surfing. Jerome launched his hotel development and operations business in 2017 after a successful career in finance, trading equity derivates. Today it is a thriving enterprise set to expand into on-site residences as well as a second site in Cape Verde. Our conversation covers everything from sustainable design that integrates into the landscape; water conservation in the desert; the connection between nature and outdoor wellness; social equity and staff training; as well as Jerome's expansion plans.

LINKS

 * La Tour d'Eole website [https://www.latourdeole.com/en/]
 * La Tour d'Eole instagram [https://www.instagram.com/latourdeoledakhla/]
 * Green Healthy Places [https://www.greenhealthyplaces.com/]

GHP 090: Watersports, nature and wellness at La Tour d'Eole, Morocco

In this episode we are in Doha, Qatar talking to Angela Ng, Director of Business Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University Qatar.

Angela is an Engineer by background, and her responsibilities cover Sustainability on campus, operational efficiency and future planning, from software, to A.I. roll-out and as a Special Project, overseeing all the new interior spaces we’ve been designing for the campus since 2023. 

Discussion topics include:

 * on-site sustainability initiatives: what type of on campus initiates have you implemented?
 * the EcoCampus Green Flag destination award 
 * availability of local green infrastructure in Qatar 
 * direction from measuring engagement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on campus
 * sustainable events at the university with students
 * external partnership with sustainable brands in Doha 
 * student sustainability initiatives
 * sustainability research projects currently underway at the university

Links:

 * Sustainability at CMUQ [https://www.qatar.cmu.edu/research/focus-on-sustainability/] (Qatar campus)
 * Sustainability at CMU (headquarters in USA) [https://www.cmu.edu/sustainability-initiative/about/index.html]
 * Angela on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelaonwahng/]
 * Green Healthy Places  [https://www.greenhealthyplaces.com/]

GHP 089: sustainability on campus at Carnegie Mellon University Qatar

An adaptation of a recent presentation I made at the Health & Fitness Association (HFA) Congress in Amsterdam, Netherlands focusing on the rise of 'wellness clubs'. I cover the key components of this new generation of health clubs, from contrast bathing to experiential saunas, add-on leisure facilities, hybrid training zones, outdoor gyms and diagnostics (the gym-as-clinic). 

 * Green Healthy Places [https://www.greenhealthyplaces.com/]
 * Biofilico wellness interiors [https://biofilico.com/]
 * Biofit gym + spa design [https://biofit.io/]
 * Health & Fitness Association [https://www.healthandfitness.org/]

GHP 088 - The rise of wellness clubs

Welcome to episode 87 of the Green Healthy Places podcast, in which we explore the themes of well-being and sustainability in the built environment. 

I'm your host, Matt Morley, and we're delighted to be back after an unavoidable break with another series of concise, practical conversations from inspiring figures around the world.

This week, we're in Cape Town, South Africa, talking to Jess Berliner, co-founder and director of product of Learn Biomimicry. 

Over the last six years, Jess has co-authored all of her company's learning products, short courses, six-month mental programs, and e-books.

She's a self-professed nature nerd and scuba diver. So who else better to talk us through the topic of biomimicry?

LINKS:

 * Learn Biomimicry website [https://www.learnbiomimicry.com/]
 * Learn Biomimicry Discount Code [https://www.learnbiomimicry.com/offers/tpETQqEy?coupon_code=MATTMORLEY]
 * Biophilic Design course [https://www.learnbiomimicry.com/biophilic-design]
 * Jess Berliner on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-berliner-32078849/]
 * Matt Morley on Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattaspiotismorley/]
 * Green Healthy Places [https://www.greenhealthyplaces.com/]

GHP 087: Learn Biomimicry with Jess Berliner

Welcome to episode 86 of the Green Healthy Places podcast in which we discuss the themes of wellbeing and sustainability real estate and hospitality. I’m your host, Mat Morley, and in this episode I’m in Toronto, Canada talking to Ron Blutrich, CEO of Clear Inc, a specialist in water purification for the real estate industry.

A scientist by trade, Ron is a passionate advocate for improved water quality after his own health scare caused by contaminated water.

In a nutshell, Clear Inc installs industrial-grade purification systems for whole buildings at the water pipe’s point of entry, and a smaller scale UV-LED solution for single family homes.

In this conversation we discuss the sources of water contamination, water filter technology, water quality testing, and the fundamental role of purified water in a healthy building concept.

 * clear.inc/ [https://www.clear.inc/]
 * greenhealthyplaces.com/  [https://www.greenhealthyplaces.com/]

Water Quality in Healthy Buildings, CLEAR INC

In this episode I’m in New York talking to Oxana Spivey, Vice President of Wellness Standards & Development for Wellness in Travel & Tourism (WITT).

Oxana is also a yoga teacher, life coach, and entrepreneur in her own right but today we’re talking about WITT, which is aiming to become the leading wellness certification for the hospitality and travel industry.

WITT focuses on wellness destinations under development, under renovation and existing hotels, effectively providing a global benchmark in how to meet the demands of wellness-focus travelers.

Certified hotels already include US-based properties from brands such as 1 Hotels, Aman, Faena, Four Seasons, Park Hyatt, Ritz-Carlton, Rosewood, The Standard and Proper Hotels. All the heavy hitters in hotel land, basically.

The key pillars are movement, holistic healing, healthy eating, nature and local impact.

 * https://www.wittcertified.com/
 * https://www.linkedin.com/company/wittcertified/

Wellness In Travel Tourism (WITT)

Exploring wellbeing & sustainability in real estate and hospitality with podcast host Matt Morley. 

Each episode dissects a global benchmark in places and spaces that go out of their way to promote the health of People & Planet. 

Find us at greenhealthyplaces.com [https://www.greenhealthyplaces.com/]