aletheic environments

designing for unhidden wellbeing

Tag: interior design

A hidden spring

The article explores the biophilic benefits of incorporating water into the home environment, particularly through warm showers. It highlights how such experiences engage the senses, promote wellbeing, and create a meditative state. Suggestions for enhancing bathroom aesthetics include using cohesive materials, soft lighting, plants, and mirrors to foster a calming, nature-inspired atmosphere.

Note: This post explores the psychological and wellbeing benefits of naturism within biophilic environments. It contains illustrations depicting nudity and the human form.

The biophilic use of water in the home

When you take a bath or a shower, do you stay in the water just long enough to get clean, or do you enjoy a long, warm soak? If the latter, do you do it wearing clothes? Of course not. The pleasure comes from the full immersion of the body and receiving all of the messages sent by your skin to your brain that confirms all is well.

I have previously written about the benefits of incorporating non-rhythmic stimuli into the built environment as a biophilic design intervention. In both the home and the workplace, we can use such stimuli to add an extra dimension to our sensory experiences, which ought to improve our wellbeing and comfort.

In the home, one of the simplest, and most potent, things you can do to create a biophilic experience is to take a nice, warm shower.

A warm shower can be more than a utilitarian act of hygiene – it is a deeply pleasurable, biophilic experience. It engages so many of our senses: sound, touch, smell (if your shower gel is nice) and warmth in ways that can be both soothing and invigorating. This offers a good blend of physical and psychological benefits. One reason for this pleasure lies in the non-rhythmic sensory experience it provides, which is an important element of biophilia and our innate need to connect with nature.

Unlike the predictable, repetitive stimuli we often encounter in daily life, such as the hum of a computer or the ticking of a clock, the sensation of water cascading over the skin is irregular and varied. This non-rhythmic stimulation captures our attention without overwhelming us. The gentle, unpredictable patterns of water droplets hitting the bare skin can almost induce a meditative state, allowing the mind to unwind and release stress and provide a mental escape.

The skin, as our largest sense organ, plays a central role in this experience. As warm water flows over the whole, naked body, it stimulates countless nerve endings embedded in the skin, sending signals to the brain that trigger the release of feel-good neurotransmitters like endorphins and serotonin. The warmth of the water also promotes vasodilation, improving blood circulation and creating a comforting, enveloping sensation. This tactile stimulation is deeply grounding and fosters a sense of physical and emotional well-being. Furthermore, the contrast between the warmth of the water and the cooler air outside the shower can heighten sensory awareness, making the experience even more vivid and enjoyable. These elements could be thought of as a multisensory ritual that not only cleanses the body but also rejuvenates the mind. A warm shower is a profoundly pleasurable, restorative and essentially biophilic act – cleansing both mind and body.

Changing a utilitarian space into a biophilic, aletheic experience

We have “domesticated” water into chrome taps and plastic trays, but an aletheic wet room can restore water to its elemental state. It is no-longer just a shower; it’s an encounter with a spring.

Unfortunately, in most homes (certainly in the UK), our bathrooms are rather small and utilitarian. However, that does not mean that we can’t make them a little more biophilic and a lot more calming. They are spaces where we interact with our surroundings completely. We are naked. Our entire bodies are exposed to, and enveloped in, the space. We should make the effort to make ourselves as comfortable as possible.

Here are a few ideas.

Colours and textures

Materials

To make a small space feel larger, use continuity to try and blur the boundary between the floor and walls. This can be achieved by not using different different materials. For example, by using dark-coloured, large-format slate or stone-effect porcelain tiles on both the floor and walls, you create a receding effect, making walls feel further away.

Integrate a variety of textures on the floor. Non-slip surfaces are essential, but a pathway made up of smaller tiles – perhaps resembling stones or gravel can add some extra tactile interest for the bare feet, as well as visual interest.

Lighting

Harsh lighting is unflattering and can give the impression of being under some sort of interrogation. Apart from having some functional bright light near a mirror, then subtle, warm lighting would give the impression of being in a shady woodland space rather than an operating theatre.

Greenery

Wet rooms are ideal spaces for greenery, especially those species with their natural origins in the tropical rainforest. High humidity and relatively low lighting conditions will be ideal for a range of plants, including some ferns and small palms.

Tropical climbing / trailing species can be placed on high shelves, or trained to climb up a frame or moss pole to add some vertical interest and increase the impression of being in a forest.

Small orchids (such as a Phalaenopsis spp.) may also do well in these conditions and provide pinpoints of exotic colour.

As well as live plants, features such as preserved moss panels are ideal. Mounted on a wall, they are maintenance free, use no floor space and can cope with the high humidity found in bathrooms.

Mirrors

Large mirrors are not only functional, but can also be used to make a space appear larger. Placing a mirror opposite a greenery-filled corner or wall cabinet effectively double the botanical density of the room without taking up floor space.

Tinted or “antiqued” mirrors offer the spatial expansion of a mirror but with a softer, more moody reflection that can feel more like a deep pool of water than a sharp, self-critical surface.

What about an outdoor shower?

If you have the space, a suitably private corner in your garden and – ideally- warm weather, then an outdoor shower is a perfect way of enjoying the benefits of both the non-rhythmic sensations of water on the skin as well as being out in the fresh air, listening to birdsong and seeing and feeling the beauty of plants.

An outdoor shower can be as simple as a hosepipe fitted with a suitable nozzle, or as complex as a fully plumbed-in fixture. Obviously, you must ensure that building regulations and water regulations are followed if required.

09/02/2026
Safe vulnerability
In this article I explore the idea of aletheia, or truth revealing, through vulnerability in nature. It emphasizes the liberating yet challenging experience of being completely exposed to, and immersed in nature whilst also being safe. Suggestions on how to foster this connection at home are offered as well as ideas about wild swimming and accessing and creating secluded areas for contemplation.

Note: This post explores the psychological and wellbeing benefits of naturism within biophilic environments. It contains illustrations depicting nudity and the human form.

Be a part of nature, not just an observer of it

The concept of aletheia is all about the process of unconcealment in order to realise a truth about ourselves and our place in the environment.

By baring all and removing that which separates us from nature we can then truly become part of nature. It is both liberating and challenging to be so exposed. Liberating in the sense of total freedom from artifice and judgement but challenging as you recognise your vulnerability as an individual – just one of over eight billion people – in the vastness of nature.

That heightened sense of vulnerability can be enlightening and thought-provoking, and maybe even a bit thrilling (much like getting on a roller coaster for the first time). Sometimes, however, the fear of exposure and judgement can override the positive sense of self knowledge. This is why a sense of safety and trust is vital.

If you know that you are safe and that you won’t be interrupted, then baring all – literally and figuratively – in a natural, or naturalistic, environment can bring clarity to your thoughts and a sense of peace and calm.

I touched on this experience in an earlier post. Now, I will discuss some of the ways by which you can practically experience safe vulnerability.

Raw immersion in nature

There are times and places when being alone in a natural place can be awe-inspiring. Sometimes, just the vastness of a landscape means that it is possible to be away from any distraction from technology or any interruption from another person. It is possible to overlook a landscape and be aware of any ‘threat’ long before it becomes obvious. That sense of being alone and uncovered in the grandeur of nature allows one to appreciate the truth about our place in the environment.

As well as being immersed in a landscape, immersion in a more literal sense is also worth investigating. Wild swimming has become an increasingly popular activity, and naked wild swimming allows a truly deep connection with the environment and a total sensory experience (although you should always be with someone else, for safety reasons).

Sometimes, nature can be more intimate and sheltering. A woodland clearing or a secluded spot on a river bank can provide refuge and shelter and be ideal places to have an aletheic experience.

Often, natural places are busy. After all, getting into nature is good for us and a popular activity. This can make being alone with your thoughts in nature more difficult – especially when you wish to experience it in a raw, unconcealed state.

If you are lucky enough to have access to private land, with permission, then your opportunities are greater. The chances of being disturbed are lessened and you can immerse yourself in the environment on your own terms.

Many naturist clubs and associations have areas of wilderness or woodland on their land. My local venue has over 20 hectares of land, and a large part of that is woodland. That is a place where I can find a spot to stop, think and experience benefits such as forest bathing.

Sometimes, just knowing when a place is likely to be quiet will give you the opportunity that you need. Experiencing the majesty of nature in moonlight can be a profound experience, as can getting to a beach early in the morning to experience the crash of waves onto the shore when no-one else is there.

Creating a safe space closer to home

Getting out into nature to experience aletheia is not always easy, especially if you live in an urban area or if transport is not readily available. It is possible to create spaces in and around the home where the feelings associated with safe vulnerability can be achieved.

If you have a garden – even a small one overlooked by neighbours – a secluded nook can be created easily and at a low cost. The careful placement of plants and structures such as a trellis and pergola can provide the safety of privacy whilst still being permeable and open to the elements. Balconies and courtyards can also be planted and screened to increase privacy whilst also bringing nature closer to the home.

Indoor spaces also provide opportunities for connection to nature in a way that provides safe vulnerability. It is possible to create a simple aletheic space for a very low cost that provides both an immersion in a naturalistic environment with the security of being in one’s own home. It doesn’t even have to be a dedicated room. You can set up a corner in a larger room

The use of screening plants near doors or windows, sheer voile curtains over large windows and large houseplants create the aesthetics and textures. Adding natural scents and a nature-based soundscape from a smart speaker can help to create a holistic sensory experience and really bring a sense of the outdoors into the home.

The keys to safe vulnerability

Aletheia is the experience of revealing truth about ourselves and our environment through stripping away artifice and the unnecessary. It is about authenticity. Sometimes, however, we have to simulate an environment in order to experience the fleeting sense of vulnerability – the butterflies in the stomach – that can lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves.

In the environments where we live and work, this might require some forethought. Privacy might be an issue, or the risk of distractions from people or – more likely – our phones.

These can all be overcome, often with little cost attached. The keys are understanding how to use places and time to their best effect.

Contact me for advice about your own space and how to create an aletheic environment?
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Δ
16/10/2025
Radical comfort
Wellbeing stems from comfort, defined as feeling secure both physically and psychologically. Radical Comfort emphasizes a fundamental approach to design, prioritizing user needs over superficial aesthetics. It integrates physical, psychological, and environmental elements, aiming for spaces that foster true ease through biophilic elements and understanding human sensory experiences.

Note: This post explores the psychological and wellbeing benefits of naturism within biophilic environments. It contains illustrations depicting nudity and the human form.

Wellbeing is a direct result of comfort. When you are comfortable, you have greater satisfaction with your life (and work) and you are better able to achieve your goals. So, what is comfort? And, why radical comfort?

Comfort is about feeling at ease. It means that the physical environment is telling your senses that you are safe. It means reducing confused and contradictory inputs and it is very much about our psychological state.

Wellbeing is not just about design

Research on workplace wellbeing has consistently shown that the single biggest influence on wellbeing isn’t the design of the environment, but the culture of the organization. No amount of state-of-the-art biophilic design will cancel the effects of toxic management styles, lack of agency and extreme monitoring of every keystroke or toilet break.

The same applies in society. Authoritarian regimes seem quite keen to develop fabulous biophilic environments. Whilst I would never want to see those environments removed, they will never lead to true comfort when press freedom is restricted, political discussion is regarded as a threat to the state and human rights are abused. There is a whiff of ‘Bread and Circuses‘ about such installations.

So, what does ‘Radical Comfort’ mean?

The word ‘Radical’ is often thought of as being related to being revolutionary or promising major change, which it is. It also has an older meaning: of, belonging to, or from a root or roots; fundamental to or inherent in the natural processes of life.

Radical Comfort is a philosophy that seeks to satisfy human comfort at its root – at its fundamental, and unmediated level. It is the uncompromising pursuit of a state of physical, psychological, and environmental ease.

Radical Comfort moves beyond standard ideas of biophilic design by acknowledging that the most fundamental connection to nature and a sense of belonging in nature occurs when the individual is free from artifice, pretence and psychological barriers, which enable to them encounter their true selves.

Radical Comfort and design

Most design only achieves surface comfort, but Radical Comfort is a more holistic and evidence-based way of doing things. It could lead to spaces where the environment is perfectly tuned to the users’ needs. This evidence-based approach actually asks questions about what the user needs rather than simply assuming and imposing.

This approach to biophilic design is founded on the belief that human wellbeing is inseparable from our biological reality. It is a design language that honours the body as a natural component of the ecosystem, not an alien presence requiring separation and concealment.

Our search for aletheia (truth / unconcealment) drives the pursuit of Radical Comfort: the authentic truth of human wellbeing.

Physical Radical Comfort

This is design for the needs of the highly sensitive, unencumbered body. Specifically, thermal regulation, tactile sensation, acoustics and movement.

When our senses are free to work together, we are able to understand our environment with minimal mental effort. This reduces stress, frees up mental capacity and increases comfort. Our senses most effective at telling us the truth about our environment when they are unblocked and .

The touch points

By designing for the comfort of our largest sense organ, the skin, we need to reject materials that feel artificially cold, rough or sticky to bare skin. High quality, sustainably-sourced natural materials are worth investing in.

Textures make a big difference too. Wood, cork and moss not only offer greater visual interest, but the variety of different textures add to the tactile interest too.

Furniture should be designed without pressure points, harsh seams, or restrictive forms. The design should accommodate the fluid movement of the unburdened body.

We must also consider our feet

They are in near constant contact with the environment. When you think about it, our feet are remarkable parts of the body. We are naturally unstable structures – tall and top heavy – and by rights we should be constantly falling over. Our centre of gravity is about two thirds of the way up from the ground, yet our feet have a total area in contact with the ground of about only four hundred square centimetres (about two-thirds the area of a sheet of A4 paper). The nerve endings in our feet and the fine control of the muscles in our feet and legs work constantly to stop us crashing to the floor.

This means that we should allow our feet to experience the full properties of the surface. Fine changes to textures and warmth can be excellent, yet subtle, signposts to help us navigate a space more easily.

Invisible and untouchable elements: thermal and acoustic comfort

The unclad human form is highly sensitive to temperature fluctuation. A Radical Comfort space should allow, as far as is possible, as much individual control of heating, cooling and air flow. This is relatively easy in the home, but somewhat more difficult in an office or other commercial space. Having said that, some office furniture manufacturers have started to incorporate adjustable heating and cooling elements in desk tops that provide warmth around the wrists – an especially sensitive area that can help regulate body temperature.

I mentioned in a previous post about how getting into a state of flow can make the work day seem easier. Distractions can break that flow state, and it can take a long time to get back into it. One of the most frequent and annoying distractions is noise. Radical Comfort requires quiet (not necessarily silence) and the absence of distracting sound.

This can be achieved with a number of biophilic elements: plants and moss are good at absorbing and diffracting noise, and synthetic soundscapes that produce subtle non-rhythmic sounds, reminiscent of a breeze or waterfall, or even the lapping of waves on a stony beach have been demonstrated to be very effective at masking distracting noise.

Light and shadows

Radical Comfort takes into account our natural biorhythms and how we respond to light throughout the day. In our wild, ancestral state, humans evolved to respond to changes in light intensity and quality throughout the day. As the light changed, so various hormones were produced or supressed affecting our mood, alertness, appetite and sleeping patterns.

Fortunately, biodynamic lighting is available to replicate these natural patterns. In the home, smart lighting can be programmed to approximate the changes during the day, but in commercial buildings, really sophisticated systems can be deployed to great effect. Biodynamic lighting is even used in some aircraft to reduce the impacts of jet lag.

As well as the quality of light, we should think about how the light plays around a space – the shadows cast, the direction it comes from, glare produced and the interaction with paint colours. This requires careful consideration of wall finishes, ceiling heights, and reflective surfaces – even the use of mirrors to move light around a space to borrow views from the outside and bring them in.

We can even consider the Golden Hour effect in the context of an aletheic environment. The space could be designed to maximize soft, warm light during the hours of rest and relaxation. Low light levels can enhance relaxation and the feeling of wellbeing as well as reducing self-consciousness through shade and deeper shadows – a key step toward psychological Radical Comfort.

Psychological Radical Comfort

Comfort is not just physical, it is psychological as well. A good sensory environment is critical for our sense of safety, but we must also consider the mental environment as well.

In fact, good psychological comfort can outweigh the problems of a poor physical environment as long as there is a feeling of security and the ability to be one’s self without judgement or interference.

In design terms, a place of Radical Comfort is about creating a space where the user feels absolute security, privacy and agency. The user of the space decides who is let in, and under what conditions.

Such a space minimizes stress and the feeling of the need to perform, or to conceal, any aspect of the self.

This could mean the use of materials such as privacy glass in windows – allowing a view out, but restricting a view in – or the careful placement of screens and plants. These could be permeable to a degree to allow light and breezes in without ever fully exposing the private space.

On the other hand, places where complete trust and acceptance are found, such as in naturist venues, can be ideal spaces for being completely, authentically, uncovered without fear of judgement or objectification. The creation of new kinds of aletheic, naturist environments away from traditional settings is one that I am particularly interested in exploring.

The biophilic envelope

Radical Comfort seeks to guarantee a restorative environment by creating a seamless interaction with living systems (biophilia). This could mean designing interior and exterior spaces that are fully private and secure, creating a sense of being enveloped by nature. The space will allow for the safe experience of the liberated state, and is the key to turning a garden or room into an aletheic environment rather than just a pretty space.

Plants, water features, and textures are not merely decorative but should be used to deliver an optimized, positive sensory input. This could include using plants with pleasant scents (which is easier in a garden than indoors) and tactile qualities that invite one to touch and feel the foliage.

Plant displays can also be used to optimize the acoustic environment too. Research carried out as long ago as the 1990s showed how plants and plant displays could absorb, diffuse and refract sound. Indoors, they can be placed to reduce echoes. Outdoors, trees are especially good at absorbing noises.

Biophilic elements can be actively used to improve air quality and humidity to a therapeutic level, even exceeding standards such as the WELL building standard. Green walls, and especially the new generation of active air green wall systems, are very good at improving indoor air quality by reducing pollutants and improving humidity – something that would be especially beneficial to uncovered skin. When used well, the synergy of function and biophilic beauty can have a significant benefit.

My background in plant science and horticulture, as well as my long experience of biophilic design, allows me to focus on the use of greenery and other aspects of interior landscaping to maximize Radical Comfort. If you would like to learn more or would like some advice on a project, then please get in touch.
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02/10/2025