The Flourish Tree Model in Consulting
Transforming Homes through Purpose -Driven Design
As an interior designer, architect, or landscaper, you know that the spaces you create are more than just buildings or rooms—they are environments that shape how people live, feel, and connect with their surroundings. At Habitarmonia, we utilize the Flourish Tree model in our consulting services to ensure that every project we undertake is deeply aligned with the needs, values, and well-being of our clients. This model isn’t just a design framework; it’s a holistic approach that helps us create spaces that are not only visually appealing but also profoundly transformative.
Root: Understanding Your Client’s Deepest Needs
In the Root phase of consulting, our primary goal is to understand the client on a fundamental level. Before any design decisions are made, we dive deep into their values, lifestyle, and aspirations for their space. This phase is crucial because it ensures that the design is not only aesthetically pleasing but also personally meaningful and fulfilling.
Let’s look at the example of a passive house in the serene village of Grasheide, Antwerp, Belgium. The family who owned this home was dealing with stress and disconnection. Despite its solid structure and energy efficiency, the house lacked warmth and a sense of connection to nature, which the family desperately needed. Our mission was to transform this space into a sanctuary where they could escape daily stresses and reconnect with each other and the natural world.
We began by conducting in-depth consultations with the family, carefully listening to their concerns and desires. The parents were particularly worried about their children, who struggled with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and dyslexia. They wanted a home that would support their children’s well-being, reduce stress, and enhance their connection to nature. By understanding these needs, we laid the foundation for a design that would be both functional and nurturing.
Trunk: Integrating Biophilic Principles with Expert Knowledge
With a clear understanding of the family’s needs, we moved into the Trunk phase, where the design began to take shape. In this phase, we integrated biophilic design principles with our expert knowledge to create a space that reflected the family’s desires while promoting their well-being.
One of the first steps was to maximize natural light throughout the house. We added an extra operable window in the master bedroom, providing the family with a direct visual connection to the surrounding forest. This simple change had a profound effect, offering the parents a daily reminder of the natural world’s beauty and rhythm.
We also focused on creating a calming color palette that would help soothe the family’s senses. Soft, earthy tones were chosen to evoke a sense of peace and relaxation, while organic materials like wood and linen were introduced to bring warmth and texture into the space. These materials not only connected the family to nature but also provided tactile comfort, enhancing the overall sensory experience of the home.
In addition, we incorporated natural elements such as indoor plants and water features, which have been shown to reduce stress and improve mental clarity. The use of organic shapes in the furniture and decor further reinforced the connection to nature, creating a cohesive and harmonious environment.
Throughout this process, we remained closely attuned to the family’s feedback, making sure that every design decision aligned with their needs and values. This collaborative approach ensured that the final design was not only functional but also deeply personal and meaningful.
Leaves: Realizing the Transformation
The final phase, Leaves, is where the true impact of our consulting work became visible. This is when the design was implemented, and the family saw their vision come to life. The once cold and impersonal house was transformed into a warm, inviting sanctuary that supported the well-being of every family member.
The transformation was remarkable. The children, who had struggled with concentration and stress, found solace in their new environment. The calming colors, natural light, and connection to nature helped them feel more at ease, improving their focus and overall happiness. The parents, too, experienced a profound shift. The home, which had once been a source of stress, became a place of refuge where they could relax, recharge, and reconnect with each other and with nature.
The impact of the Flourish Tree model was not just physical—it was emotional and psychological. The family’s quality of life improved dramatically, demonstrating the power of biophilic design to enhance well-being and foster a deeper connection to the natural world. This project, celebrated with prestigious awards, stands as a testament to the effectiveness of the Flourish Tree model in creating spaces that truly enhance lives.
Consulting Case Study: The Passive House in Antwerp
The story of the passive house in Antwerp is a powerful example of how the Flourish Tree model can transform a space through purpose-driven design. This project began with a deep understanding of the client’s needs, followed by the thoughtful integration of biophilic design principles, and culminated in a transformation that improved the family’s well-being in profound ways.
What made this project particularly successful was the holistic approach we took. By addressing not just the physical aspects of the home but also the emotional and psychological needs of the family, we were able to create a space that supported their overall well-being. This holistic perspective is at the heart of the Flourish Tree model, ensuring that every design we create is deeply aligned with the needs and values of the people who will inhabit the space.
The success of this project also had a lasting impact on our consulting practice. The principles we applied in this home became a blueprint for future projects, guiding us in creating spaces that are not just functional and beautiful, but also nurturing and restorative. The Flourish Tree model has proven to be an invaluable tool in our consulting work, helping us to create spaces that truly enhance the lives of our clients.
A Call to Transform Your Client’s Space
The Flourish Tree model is more than just a consulting framework—it’s a holistic approach to creating spaces that enhance lives. By understanding your client’s deepest needs, integrating biophilic design principles with expert knowledge, and realizing the full potential of a space, you can create environments that don’t just function—they flourish.
The transformation of the passive house in Antwerp is a powerful example of how this model can be applied in consulting to create spaces that are not only beautiful but also deeply meaningful and life-enhancing. If you’re ready to take your consulting practice to the next level, we invite you to explore these concepts further in our upcoming webinar.
Join us as we explain the full scope of our 12-week course on Wellbeing and Biophilic Design. We’ll walk you through the Flourish Tree model and show you how you can use it to create spaces that deeply resonate with your clients and enhance their well-being. Don’t miss this chance to elevate your design practice and discover the true power of purpose-driven design.