Regeneration & Gardening

Many of us have undoubtedly experienced the relaxing and even calming effect of a walk in the woods or a garden, following the rhythm of our own steps and getting in tune with our surroundings.

In fact the experience is called Forest bathing, the ancient Japanese practice of Shinto origin that aims to reduce stress through true immersion in nature. With its scents, smells, and sounds the forest bath is able to reach our more emotional part and inject a new energy through deep regeneration. In fact, "some trees produce monoterpenes, volatile aromatic substances that extensive scientific studies have demonstrated have a therapeutic effect on our bodies, "as expert Marco Nieri explains. Other studies have verified that natural settings allow our minds to rest, and regular exposure to nature promotes the ability to concentrate and create. For this reason, activities performed outdoors, for example in a garden, are definitely to be considered an enhanced experience.Indeed, the Regeneration & Gardening trend is steadily on the rise both in the home and when traveling, for exciting experiences that leave a lasting impression on the spirit.

VIRIdiVITA, Materially NOW at Fuori Salone 2024

"Want that forest feeling? The green wall with real plants – without any soil – will make your heart beat faster. Our interior products are visually impressive green works of art that actively contribute to your well-being." That's the promise on the website of the Swiss company VIRIdiVITA based in Tuggen. It’s a highly sustainable system that creates green surfaces for indoor and outdoor walls. Plants’ roots easily penetrate a foam mat mounted on a frame of varying size, the foam being able to retain water to nourish the plants so they can be placed anywhere, indoors or out. These works of art are true examples of natural home regeneration that saw great success at Materially NOW at Fuori Salone 2024.

Il Salviatino, Florence

The Renaissance villa that overlooks the city of Florence from the rolling, sunny hills of Fiesole was recently converted into a 5-star hotel owned by the Rovati family. When converting the villa surrounded by the greenery of a beautiful Italian garden, its strong connection with nature was key. The refinement of the indoor spaces is matched by an equal attention to the outdoor areas, drawing on the principles of esthetics and the values of sustainability. Indeed, the renowned artist Michelangelo Pistoletto employed his creativity to produce his Third Paradise, a land art project featuring an organic vegetable garden and orchard based on the principles of permaculture, which protects natural ecosystems.

A Mediterranean garden in Greater London

Very often nature has the ability to identify and evoke specific places through its unique variety. A villa in the South London area offers an example of replicating familiar and beloved spaces within one's garden where one can feel at home even if the setting doesn’t match the surroundings. In fact the outdoor part, and in particular the garden with swimming pool, were designed and built as a wonderful space that transports visitors to the shores of the Southern Mediterranean. This immersion in a replicated landscape was made possible by following some of Atlas Concorde's ideas for paving the exterior and garden. One of these was the use of bright white for the villas’ exterior paving, specifically Boost concrete-effect porcelain tiles by Atlas Concorde, which seem to reflect the sunlight more strongly. Consistent with this esthetic vision, the color choice of the tiles softens the concrete effect, ensuring the performance of the patented Atlas Concorde Sensitech technology for a superior level of safety, anti-slip, cleanliness and comfort.

For designers, following the Regeneration & Gardening trend means focusing on a new concept of paving gardens:

- Energy Reintegration: Consider parks and gardens in homes or restaurants as original spaces for new designs for mind-body wellness.

- Extraordinary Views:The infinite variety of nature is a source of inspiration for exciting and immersive outdoor spaces, for emotions that constantly invigorate.

- Designing for Eco-systems: Conceiving and creating considering respect for the natural world as a true design element.