PHOTO COURTESY CIRRUS + CASCADE
A new development in Chicago’s Lakeshore East incorporates the concept of biophilia, or the human desire to live among nature, through a verdant indoor amenity. The Conservatory, a shared space connecting the 350-unit condo tower Cirrus and the 503-unit apartment building Cascade, is filled with flora and fauna and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Cascade Park.
Abundant natural light, lush plants (think fiddle leaf figs and bamboo), wood-block flooring and polished stone allow residents to enjoy natural surroundings no matter the weather. “Over the past year, we have been reminded of the importance of being connected to the outdoors,” says Linda Kozloski, creative design director with Lendlease, a developer on the project. “This renewed interest in the natural world, including its role in supporting our physical and mental well-being, has made biophilic design a guiding principle in new residential communities.”
