Finding Relief in the Concrete Jungle: Elizabeth Carmichael on Why Biophilic Design Is Essential for Urban Well-Being

Skyscrapers, highways, and the endless churn of traffic define much of modern city living. Yet for millions of people, the very environments built to fuel economic growth are also fueling chronic stress. Noise pollution, poor air quality, and complex urban planning decisions are leaving lasting impacts on human health. Elizabeth Carmichael, an expert sustainable designer and development strategist, and founder of THE LAB SD (Living Adaptive Build - Sustainable Developments), believes the solution lies in reconnecting people with nature through biophilic design.  

“We’ve built cities where people live surrounded by concrete, glass, and constant noise,” says Carmichael. “Day in and day out, that creates environmental stress and cognitive fatigue. Biophilic design provides relief: spaces that give people peace and a sense of refuge, even when they’re living right next to a freeway.” 

Research shows that dense urban environments contribute to chronic stress, cognitive fatigue, and mental health struggles. Constant sensory stimulation, from sirens and traffic to construction noise, forces the brain into a state of over-alertness. Over time, this “urban fatigue” erodes emotional resilience and can worsen conditions such as anxiety, depression, and even cardiovascular disease. 

“It’s not just about noise or pollution,” Carmichael explains. “People have experienced complications for decades from the way cities were planned; freeways often cut right through neighborhoods, impacting communities and limiting green space. These areas are still living with that legacy.” While city life is unlikely to slow down, Carmichael argues that thoughtful design can counterbalance its harshest effects. 

Biophilic design, at its core, is about integrating natural elements into the built environment in ways that enhance human well-being. From views of greenery to fragrant plantings, textured surfaces, and even the sound of water, it’s about reactivating the senses in healthier ways. 

“We recently completed the design of a project of 37 micro-units right next to a freeway on-ramp,” Carmichael shares. “We created small private balconies for each unit with patterned screens to filter sunlight. The balconies face away from the freeway, and we added planters with vines that will climb the screens. Even though residents live next to a freeway, they’ll experience a green, calming outlook instead of concrete and traffic.” 

Carmichael’s approach goes beyond aesthetics. Grounding their practice in research-driven results, a member of her team, Arkar Hein, holds master’s degrees in both architecture and neuroscience. 

“We know that nature reduces stress and activates the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that supports empathy, insight, emotional regulation, and flexibility,” Carmichael explains. “When you’re stressed, that part of the brain shuts down and you default to the limbic system: fight or flight. Exposure to nature helps keep us calm, resilient, and connected.” 

Research supports her point. Studies show that children with access to green space cope better with stressors like divorce or bereavement, while hospital patients with views of nature recover faster. Even small exposures, like a glimpse of the sky, a pocket park, or fragrant herbs at a building entry, can reduce stress levels. 

“We’re constantly chasing dopamine through our phones and screens,” Carmichael says. “But the dopamine we get from nature, from seeing a butterfly or a sunset, is healthier, more balanced. Biophilic design helps people experience that natural dopamine effect daily.” 

At THE LAB SD, biophilic design means activating all five senses. Visual relief comes from greenery and views, whether it’s a canyon, the bay, or even the city skyline. Fragrance from rosemary, lavender, or gardenias is introduced at building entries, while sound can come from fountains or plantings that attract birds. 

Research also shows that distinct textures, surfaces, and tactile cues can be used on floors, walls, or handles, acting as navigational aids to support autonomy when vision and memory fade, becoming a map through touch. Some studies also link tactile stimulation to slowing Alzheimer’s progression.  

“Before you even walk into one of our buildings, you should feel a sensory shift,” says Carmichael. “You’ve been out in traffic, breathing polluted air, overstimulated all day. Coming home should give you calm and relief.” 

For Carmichael, biophilic design isn’t just about improving individual well-being. It’s also about healing communities and creating more livable, resilient cities. “Urban living isn’t going away. People will continue to live near highways and in dense environments,” she says. “But through thoughtful design, we can give people sanctuaries, spaces where they can recover from the stresses of city life. That’s how we make cities healthier, one project at a time.” 

As THE LAB SD continues to work on multifamily and mixed-use projects across Southern California, Carmichael sees biophilic design as both a necessity and a movement. “Nature is medicine,” she states. “If we can design our cities to integrate it into daily life, we’re not just building structures; we’re building environments that heal, uplift, and endure.” 

This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. If you are seeking medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider.