SPAN Architecture

This week, we’re sharing part two of an ongoing series of posts from Karen Marie about biophilia -

What Biophilia Actually Means

Biophilia has been flattened into an aesthetic—plants, textures, a certain look.

That version misses the point.

In our work, biophilia is understood as a system. It operates through light, air, material, proportion, and connection to living systems. These elements don’t sit on top of architecture—they are the architecture.

Daylight is calibrated, not just introduced.

Materials are selected for how they feel, not just how they photograph.

Spaces are sequenced to move the body through states of compression and release.

When these elements align, something shifts.

People settle. Their breathing slows. Their awareness expands.

That response is not subjective—it’s physiological.

If we accept that the built environment shapes us, then biophilic design becomes less about style and more about responsibility.



Photo:

We are thrilled to share that Harper House has been selected as a Special Mention in this year’s Architizer A+ Awards for the Residential Interiors category.

Harper House, built in 1849 and transformed in 2024, is a historical monument in New York City and the music industry.

We are honored to be included and grateful to the team for their extraordinary contributions to this project.







Photo credit:

The built environment is not neutral.

It shapes how we feel, think, and function - often before we are even aware of it.

At SPAN, we’ve built our work around a simple premise: biophilia is not an image or aesthetic layer. It is a form of performance infrastructure. When calibrated with intention, space can regulate stress, support cognitive clarity, and restore a sense of agency.

This means moving beyond symbolic references to nature. It requires a more rigorous approach - one that considers daylight as a physiological tool, materials as sensory interfaces, and spacial sequence as something that can either calm or agitate the body.

Across projects - from remote coastal landscapes to dense urban environments to healthcare settings - we test how these principles translate across scale and typology. The goal is consistent: to create spaces that are not only visually compelling, but that measurably support well-being.

This is not about making things feel “natural”.

It’s about understanding how environments actually work - and designing accordingly.

We’ll share a few projects over the next few weeks that explore this in different contexts.

- Karen Marie Stonely, SPAN principal

Photo:

SPAN partner Peter Pelsinski was recently joined Design Milk for Friday Five to talk shadows & light, color, play and more!

Scroll to read Peter’s Friday Fives

Before the spring heatwave in New York, Elina and Andrew visited one of our trusted partners in making beautiful things happen,

We love working with the Jonas team. Their multi-generational family tradition of craftsmanship and expertise is unparalleled. We’re always in good hands.

SPAN loves a site visit.

Partner Pete Pelsinski recently travelled to Maine to check in on the progress of new renovations at our August Moon project and was greeted by crisp snow and sunshine.

Weaving the landscape into the interior details of this home make it a true SPAN favorite.

Part two of SPAN Partner Karen Marie Stonely’s visit to Bagru, India where she learned about the 300 year old history of sustainable, eco-friendly wooden block prints and natural dyes.

From Karen Marie, “Each dye comes from natural sources, the vibrant indigo flower being one of the most popular. Black dye, as seen here, is made from discarded iron horse shoes and unrefined brown sugar!”

SPAN loves love!

Partner Karen Marie recently travelled to Rajasthan, India to celebrate the wedding of SPAN studio’s very own Jacob Gensler.

A beautiful celebration of love, we wish Jacob and his wife Madhuri Kannambadi a lifetime of happiness together!

We’ll be sharing more from Karen Marie’s travels through India in the weeks to come.