ADF’s Kim Neville speaks to US architect Sharlene Young, who founded her interior architecture and design practice in Chicago with a focus on biophilic design in projects in the city, and who has recently opened a studio in London.

Sharlene Young’s architectural journey began at New York’s Cornell University. At the prestigious School of Architecture, Art, and Planning, she discovered her passion for creating spaces that resonate deeply with those who use them. Early in her career, she excelled in large-scale workplace projects. Transitioning to residential design, Young says she cultivated a deeper understanding of “personalisation and the transformative role of human-centred spaces.”

As interior practice lead at Wheeler Kearns Architects, Young sharpened her expertise, contributing to projects recognised in awards by the American Institute of Architects. This experience set the stage for the designer to found Symbiotic Living Architecture + Design in Chicago in 2016, grounded in biophilic and wellness design principles.

Recently, Symbiotic Living announced its expansion into the UK, displaying the firm’s ambition. Now, splitting her time between the US and the UK, Young continues to oversee the practice’s operations, bringing its wellness-focused design philosophy to an international audience.

Young says the practice aims to “transcend functional design to create spaces that promote health, harmony, and connection to the natural world,” adding that this initially “intuitive” approach on her part continues to drive the firm’s strategy. Over time however, her team integrated evidence-based biophilic design principles from the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), adding a robust framework to design for wellbeing.

Despite challenges from the pandemic, Symbiotic Living adapted by embracing local talent, materials, and artisans to help support communities as well as reduce projects’ carbon footprint. These values, coupled with a scalable and flexible business model, have allowed the firm to work across projects of varying sizes and complexities.

Opening a UK office represents a significant milestone for the firm, which Young sees as a means to serve “increasing demand for wellbeing-focused, biophilic spaces in the UK.” While awaiting ARB accreditation, the UK branch is operating as a “strategic interior design consultancy,” collaborating with local architects. Young herself has accreditation from the British Institute of Interior Design, and the ILFI (Foundations of Biophilic Design Certificate).

Learning from the differences between the architectural landscapes of Chicago and the UK has been “transformative,” says Young. Chicago’s famous design heritage, such as Louis Sullivan’s “form follows function” philosophy, is formative in her ideas, but in contrast, she says that UK influences ranging from “architectural traditions, respect for preservation, and deep connection to nature” offer “new opportunities to evolve the practice’s mission.”

Nature, wellbeing & personalisation

While biophilic design remains a cornerstone of the practice’s ethos, Young sees it as part of a broader mission to “promote emotional and psychological wellbeing” in the spaces it designs.

This took on a personal dimension for Young when she was caring for her late husband, who had Parkinson’s disease. Experiencing first-hand how architecture impacts emotional and physical health inspired her to deepen her focus on creating spaces that enrich lives. “That experience solidified my commitment to designing environments that truly support the people who inhabit them,” she reflects.

Drawing inspiration from mentors like Allison Ewing of HEDS Architects, Young embraces evidence-based approaches to biophilic design, to create “nurturing, functional spaces.” Young asserts that Symbiotic is “redefining the role of architecture and interiors in promoting wellbeing, combining a profound respect for nature with evidence-based research.”

Symbiotic Living approaches design holistically, treating spaces as part of ‘ecosystems,’ not isolated environments. Informed by fractal patterns in nature, their philosophy sees each part as contributing to a cohesive whole. “From orientation of buildings on a site to the careful connection of interiors and exteriors, every element is designed to foster a seamless relationship between people and their surroundings,” says Young.

She also draws inspiration from Colin Rowe’s teachings on Giambattista Nolli’s Map of Rome, which emphasises the continuity between interior and exterior spaces, to create environments that “foster belonging and align with the natural context.” Fundamental to their ethos is the integration of “prospect and refuge” – balancing openness and security to “promote a deeper connection to nature.”

The practice also puts a large focus on lighting spaces for wellness benefits: “Thoughtfully designed lighting not only influences mood and energy but also supports circadian rhythms, which regulate sleep and overall health.” They also orient furniture to maximise natural light and views, and “ensure that each space functions intuitively while feeling uplifting.”

Personalisation is at the heart of Symbiotic Living’s ethos. The firm recognises that “each individual’s connection to the natural world is unique, and shaped by sensory experiences and personal needs.” Symbiotic Living’s approach to biophilic design has evolved as the firm has grown, “incorporating new research and collaborations while remaining grounded in its founding principles.”

Biophilic design in practice

A standout example of Symbiotic Living’s ethos and approach is the firm’s collaboration with London-based Blast Studio. Inspired by ‘forest bathing,’ they sought to replicate the dappled light of a forest canopy; Blast Studio brought the vision to life with the award-winning Tree Shadow Screen, a design that combines privacy with the restorative power of natural light.

The Oceanfront Residence in Virginia Beach exemplifies “seamless” indoor-outdoor integration. This three-storey coastal home is conceived as an immersive retreat that celebrates its natural surroundings while prioritising the wellbeing of its occupants.

Young says that the firm’s most significant achievement to date is “establishing a thriving studio, with the support of Wheeler Kearns.” A measure of success is the numerous projects that have “transformed spaces into environments that are human-centred, but which also foreground biophilic principles, as well as sustainability.

Future

Young is confronting several key challenges, entering the UK market with her practice as a relatively new player in a busy market. To increase visibility, the firm is throwing itself into industry events such as the London Design Festival, and focusing on building relationships with local professionals. The team is also pursuing UK-based projects to create case studies that showcase their expertise while enhancing marketing efforts in both the UK and the US to attract new clients and collaborators.

The firm remains dedicated to continuous improvement by staying informed about industry trends in both the UK and US and regularly seeking client feedback. This feedback is integral to refining their approach, helping them maintain a leading edge in the architecture and design industry.

Symbiotic Living stays at the forefront of biophilic design through ongoing research, education, and global engagement. The firm’s commitment to evidence-based design ensures that their work reflects the latest scientific insights. Participation in conferences, workshops, and educational initiatives allows the team to keep up with emerging trends and innovations.

Additionally, she says that travel and exposure to diverse cultures and environments enrich the firm’s perspective on biophilic design. Their strong connection to the natural world serves as a foundational source of inspiration, enabling the creation of spaces that promote wellbeing and harmony with the environment.

Young is focused on the goal of having the UK market comprise 50% of its overall business. They have targeted interior design in premium residential projects and “habitational hubs” as the key means to achieve this. In addition to its design services, the firm aims to grow its strategic consultancy practice alongside.

By leveraging expertise in wellbeing-focused design, Symbiotic Living seeks to collaborate with “visionary partners on projects with global impact.” Their big objective is to lead the “built for wellbeing” movement, setting new industry standards for innovative and sustainable design solutions for both residential projects and “habitational hubs.”