How Biophilic Design Is Making Waves With Wellness In The Maldives

At JOALI BEING, the first dedicated wellness island in the Maldives, the latest advancements in the wellbeing sector are not only offered through its rich line-up of therapies, but they are also found within the design of the resort itself.

Conceived by Istanbul-based multidisciplinary design studio, Autoban, and interior design company, Atolye 4N – both of whom also led the design concept for the brand’s sister resort JOALI, on the neighbouring Muravandhoo Island – JOALI BEING has been built with the principles of biophilic design at its heart. The scientific system of architecture and design works to integrate nature within a building, with the aim of achieving harmony by eliminating negative vibrations and improving energetic flow.

Found on the natural island of Bodufushi in the Raa Atol, the resort fundamentally has a ‘light footprint’. The island’s wild forest interior has been left intact, for instance, and the 68 villas – known as ‘well-living spaces’, found on the beach or over water – incorporate natural features throughout. All have private pools and a variety of unique offerings, such as customised ‘Wellbeing Bars’, meditative musical instruments, wellbeing games and mindfulness-inducing furniture. Floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors mean each space is light-filled and connects you to the vivid turquoise hues of the ocean outside. Sculptural elements – such as walls with undulating wave patterns, bathroom doors that look like they have been fashioned out of sea glass and textural pillows – echo the natural world that makes the Maldives so spectacular.

JOALI BEING also boasts a collection of transformational spaces spread across the island which are also designed using biophilic principles. AREKA, for instance, is the gateway to the resort’s treatment rooms, diagnostic services and learning programmes. Your journey begins by following a series of stepping stones overlaid over a rivulet of water, palm leaves brushing your arms as you go. It’s a magical start to any wellness journey.

AKTAR is one of the most stunning areas on the island – an oval, glass aromatherapy and herbology centre decorated with hanging dried herbs and flowers. This is where guests can interact with the resident herbologist, who can prepare herbal teas for any type of physical or mental ailment, create natural cosmetics and massage oils, as well as offer workshops for guests to learn about the science behind the health benefits of herbs and oils.

There’s a sound therapy room and a magical sound discovery path – found within a palm-fringed enclave. As you go deeper into the tropical trees, you come across a series of nine unique instruments, which have been designed toresonate with the natural rhythms of the island.

At CORE – JOALI BEING’s movement centre – the architecture echoes ancient Mayan temples, with its open-ended pyramid-shape and 16-metre-high ceiling. As well as a cutting-edge gym, here guests can also experience cryotherapy and a range of Pilates, kick boxing, and dancing classes.

The first of its kind in the Maldives, JOALI BEING offers fully personalised and results-driven transformative programmes, with the ultimate goal of guests returning home feeling refreshed, uplifted and with a new sense of ‘weightlessness’. The design, say the architects, is integral to achieving that.

To find out more, here, exclusively for Forbes, Seyhan Özdemir, the co-founder of Autoban, reveals more about the just why biophilic design is so beneficial.

What does biophilic design mean to you and why is it important to a guest’s wellbeing?

JOALI BEING has been built using biophilic design principles, which means integrating architecture and design with nature. The idea is that with the correct design factors, you can achieve harmony and enhance energy flow. This comes to fruition in the collection of unique transformational spaces, where immersive therapies are offered. Here, guests are offered the possibility for reflection and healing, from sound treatments to hydrotherapy; herbology to learning more about nutrition. It was important that these were ‘at one’ with nature.

The guest villas were also designed with biophilic principles in mind, while maintaining the beauty and balance of the existing natural habitat. Each villa is in sync with the natural surroundings, which itself will enhance the wellbeing experience a guest will have.

Inspiration was taken from the ocean – the line of the shore, the waves, the shape of shells and the colour turquoise. The architecture features relaxed, flowing lines that also serve as an extension of the Indian Ocean. Essentially, we have taken the retreat’s philosophy of the ‘Joy in Weightlessness’ and translated it to its architecture through biophilic design.

What are the architectural highlights in the guest villas?

Softly curving roofs appear as if they have been just lightly placed above the structures. Inside, space is maximised with transparent or moving divisions to make you feel as if there is almost no barrier between you and the outdoor world. Hexagonal rattan columns slide open or closed to reveal living spaces dotted with bespoke Autoban furnishings, in a soothing color palette of ivory, gold, and the softest greens, pinks and blues. Every detail has been selected to evoke the essence of the ocean and the island, with sand grain patterning in stucco coated walls and mosaics depicting the hypnotic traces of waves in sand.

What was the meaning of the colour palette that has been used?

Mint green, shell pink and neutrals make up a soft colour palate that mimics the natural environment and induces relaxation and calmness.

The Maldives is bursting with bright colours naturally, how do you ‘compete’ and complement this when you are designing interiors in such a destination?

The interiors do not compete with the vibrancy of the outdoor environment, but rather absorb and reflect that vibrancy through the open flowing areas and the softer tones used in the various materials. Design forms, materials, textures and patterns, throughout the resort, are used to achieve harmony and cohesion with the natural environment. You’ll find, therefore, natural driftwoods in the restaurants, grooved rock walls in the spa, and everywhere we have used soft creams and pinks of sand and natural shells as well as the jewel tone blues of the ocean.

In terms of architecture, how does JOALI BEING stand apart from other resorts?

JOALI BEING is truly the first of its kind in the Maldives. Located on the secluded natural island of Bodufushi in the Raa Atoll, the retreat aims to combine boundless luxury with a natural approach, and is based around a philosophy of ‘weightlessness’. Autoban’s architectural and interior design narrative emerges completely from this philosophy, aiming to offer guests a transformative and purifying stay through the shedding of all unnecessary excess, reconnecting with one’s self and one’s surroundings, and becoming one with nature.

Applying biophilic principles through a signature, layered design approach, nature is found at the very core of the design, emphasising detail and materiality in order to create multi-sensory interactions. All structural elements were designed in order to achieve a sense of lightness, with linear and flowing architecture that seems to hover lightly in place, at once a part of the natural environment whilst simultaneously floating lightly above it.

Within all areas, forms, patterns and textures were used to mimic configurations of nature along with sumptuous surfaces and delicate touches to evoke the spirit of the island and to create natural, welcoming and warm spaces. As with every Autoban design, an overarching approach ensures that all external and internal spaces work in harmony to contribute to a distinct design story.

The resort thus stands out with a unique blend of nature and architecture, with ample spaces and high-ceilings, with customised marble finishings, furniture and fittings, that truly distinguishes it from other properties.

Talk us through the inspiration behind the design of some of the wellness areas?

Transformative spaces unfold across the island, offering endless inspiration. AREKA, for instance, features Quiet Zones, with separate male and female hydrotherapy areas, along with facilities such as the ice grotto, sauna, steam, vitality pools and garden. This entrance building to the extensive spa ushers guests into a soothing lair-like space, a departure point for the journey towards transformation. Surfaces are rhythmic and organically textured with meticulous handcraft, mimicking the natural rock grooves carved by centuries of waves.

At KAASHI, the hydrotherapy hall, inspiration is taken from the ocean. Each dedicated treatment room has been designed to enhance specific treatments. The Watsu pool, for instance, has dimmed lights, beautiful mosaic tiles and a ceiling with LED-lights imitating constellations. The Turkish Hammam, meanwhile, takes you to an authentic hammam with its white marble surfaces, while the Aufguss Sauna has a Scandi feel with its picture windows overlooking the tropical forest.

CORE, the largest fitness centre in the Maldives, is designed with high ceilings and is also surrounded by nature. It is fitted with Technogym and Nohrd equipment, while the adjacent pyramid-shaped movement area is where sound bathing group sessions are performed.

In SEDA, a dedicated sound therapy room, the architect and the sound researcher, Aurelio C Hammer, designed the space, perfecting acoustics and vibrations for the ultimate sound healing.

What is the design ethos of the restaurant areas?

FLOW restaurant is an open-plan dining space with three show kitchens, each dedicated to a range of culinary styles. Su serves pescatarian, Plantae offers vegan and vegetarian, while Be Well specialises in meat and poultry. The restaurant is designed with indoor and outdoor spaces, with a three-layered terrace opening to the beach, where guests can dine under the stars.

MOJO, meanwhile, is a laid-back beach sanctuary with a three-layered pool facing towards the sunset, perfect for sunset drinks.

What is your favourite area of JOALI BEING or the place you are most proud of?

One of the areas we are most proud of, as the design team, is the award-winning interactive and open-plan dining space, FLOW. Under a dramatic and undulating roof which mirrors the movement of the ocean, the interiors take inspiration from beach textures like driftwood, coral, shell and fishing nets. Layered outdoor seating platforms seem to float straight down onto the beach, with lustrous marble steps descend smoothly into the sand.

Is there any notable art at JOALI BEING?

The Kiss – a unique sculpture found outside AREKA – is by a celebrated female Turkish artist, Ebru Döşekçi. This contemporary artwork uses clean lines and smooth textures to convey tranquility and weightlessness. Evoking a sense of passion and romance, the intertwined pistachio green and salmon crescents express the sensual merging of male and female.

Tell us about the GATE OF ZERO.

The Gate of Zero is designed by a Turkish artist and sculptor, Seckin Pirim. The complex geometry is inspired by the skirts of a Whirling Dervish. It is the first point of contact for a guest arriving on the island, and it serves as a gateway. It’s where guests begin their journey of transcendence, from being to becoming, letting go of ego and starting at zero.