As people turn their focus to good health and longevity there’s a growing awareness that our surroundings, both built and natural, play a crucial role. That desire for thoughtfully designed and built-in wellness features is now driving changes in how homes and surrounding landscaping are designed and built. It’s also fueling a fast-growing global real estate sector expected to reach a value of $1 trillion by 2029, real real estate sector expected to reach a value of $1 trillion by 2029, according to the Global Wellness Institute. Today the demand is for even more features and an overall design that promotes wellness and provides a place to rest and recuperate. People are also asking for healthier building materials, improved air quality systems and other features designed to support overall good health and well-being. Pacific Grove architect Hunter Porter Eldridge, with 30 years of experience designing custom homes in Monterey County, says he’s encountering an increasing number of clients who prize their mental and physical well-being and are requesting such features be included in their new homes. “I lean in that direction myself. I would be looking for a space to relax, take in the view and breathe in fresh air,” Eldridge says. He’s currently working on a home in the Carmel Highlands on a scenic piece of property that will include a bathhouse with a sauna and cold plunge in a very private setting overlooking a meadow and the ocean. Another client in Big Sur wants a gymnasium, “but right on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean. The idea is you can work on your fitness and look out on the horizon,” Eldridge says. Another Big Sur client once asked for a pilates studio with a view. It’s not always a structure, it can be the landscape surrounding the home where his clients are seeking well-being. “Sometimes it’s more of an outdoor sitting area, typically with a view and exposure to sun and fresh air,” he says. “It can be a very powerful place to meditate and reset and find your center.” One global trend is something called biophilic design, which means incorporating natural elements and views in the overall design. There’s strong research to suggest that biophilic design reduces stress and improves well-being. Think big picture windows that bring the outdoors in, indoor plants, and natural elements like wood and stone throughout the home, as well as water features. It also could mean accordion glass doors that open up to decks or walking paths, labyrinths and meditation gardens. Inside the home there’s more aware20 THE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® HAVEN 2026-2027 Well Built MORE AND MORE, HEALTH AND WELLNESS ARE TOP AMENITIES IN HOME BUILDING AND RENOVATIONS. By Pam Marino WAYNE CAPILI HUNTER PORTER ELDRIDGE ARCHITECTURE, INC. Top: Homeowners seeking a place to reset are asking builders for calming outdoor spaces. Bottom: Pilates studios and home gyms with a view are in high demand among people building new homes.
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