Design-forward manufactured stone matches sustainability and resilience with biophilic principles.
Modern appreciation for sunshine, plants and natural materials in homes, known as biophilic design, stems from healthy instincts to connect with the outdoors.
“Rooted in the concept of biophilia—our innate human tendency to seek connections with nature—this design philosophy often integrates natural light, materials, textures, plants, water features and organic forms with an aim to enhance wellbeing,” according to theGlobal Wellness Institute. Numerous studies support the theory that biophilic design can positively impact brain function and mental health.
At VISION House SHAWOOD, Sekisui House, a global, forward-thinking builder, is partnering with Green Builder Media to showcase the company’s commitment to sustainability and core values at Deerlake Ranch in Chatsworth, Calif.
The SHAWOOD brand of Sekisui House incorporates the centuries-old Japanese ethos of Satoyama, the harmony between human dwelling and the natural world, through biophilic design. Among the products showcased at VISION House SHAWOOD that meet the high standards and design aesthetic of the company isCreative Mines, a designer of manufactured stone products. Creative Mines recently earned an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for their products, which demonstrates their transparent commitment to sustainability.
“We’re focused on biophilic design and the natural application of stone, which is one of architecture's oldest connections to the natural environment,” says Brent Spann, CEO, Creative Mines.“Creative Mines can deliver the visual and tactile qualities architects associate with natural stone while allowing much greater control over profile, color, scale and application. We are the only manufacturer infusing our product with pozzolan technology, which delivers superior durability, freeze-thaw performance, no fade color and a 50-year warranty.”
Modern Sustainable Style
Modern, contemporary architecture typically refers to buildings with clean planes of white stucco, glass, steel and smooth concrete.
“Sustainability is changing what ‘modern’ looks like,” Spann says. “That isn't disappearing, but there's another layer developing – it’s getting warmer with the use of wood, stone, mineral colors and textured masonry. Modern homes include landscape integration, outdoor living spaces, courtyards and incorporating more natural light. Materials that visually age rather than simply look new.”
These warm materials complement the Sekisui House-conceived concept of Keinen Bika, a belief that landscapes and materials become more beautiful over time.
“Our Charwood color palette was inspired by the Japanese method for charring wood, known traditionally as yakisugi or shou sugi ban,” says Ryan Bennet, director of mold operations at Creative Mines. “This is an ancient wood preservation method. Creative Mines new bold Charwood color creates a unique interpretation of this color palette applied to our popular Board Form profile.”
Creative Mines products' connection to nature, their warm texture and natural color palettes contribute to the timeless design at VISION House SHAWOOD and will continue to perform without any necessary maintenance, according to Artie Sandavol, director of quality and product development at Creative Mines. In addition, the products have been thoroughly tested to be 100% fire resistant, with zero smoke, zero fuel and zero flame spread.
“At Creative Mines, sustainability begins with creating beautiful, enduring materials while being thoughtful about the resources used to make them,” says David Nelson, plant manager, Creative Mines. “Our masonry veneer captures the texture, variation and character of natural stone without the need to quarry it from the landscape. We thoughtfully select and engineer our raw materials to create products designed for longevity, performance and lasting architectural relevance.”
The Biophilic Vision for Homes
At Deerlake, Creative Mines is showcasing several products to give builders and buyers an opportunity to see how they work together to strengthen the community’s biophilic design.
Split Modular: Split Modular comes in 2.5 inch and 5 inch heights with varying lengths, clean cut edges, split faces and the unique pronounced sawtooth texture for added depth and shadow play. This product is available in 11 distinct color palettes ranging from wispy whites and earthy browns to deep charcoal.
Orchard Limestone: Orchard Limestone features softened edges and varied ashlar shapes to create an organic rhythm. With stones up to 23 inches wide, Orchard Limestone brings scale, elegance and architectural relevance to timeless spaces. This product is available in eight different color palettes.
Urban Rectangle: Urban Rectangles feature a bold, split-faced texture that delivers strong geometry and material depth --- ideal for spaces defined by scale, simplicity and architectural intent. This product is available in Warmvibe and Winterfall.
Board Form: Hand-cast from rough-sawn planks, Board Form captures the authentic grain and knotholes of natural wood in every panel. Now featuring matching corners for a seamless finished edge, along with a new panel size for easier installation.
“Creative Mines products can also contribute toward LEED credits across several applications, supporting projects pursuing more sustainable building practices,” Spann says. “Through authentic texture, natural color and organic form, our collections complement the principles of biophilic design, helping strengthen the connection between people, architecture and the natural world.”
Connecting People and Nature with Biophilic Design
Design-forward manufactured stone matches sustainability and resilience with biophilic principles.
Modern appreciation for sunshine, plants and natural materials in homes, known as biophilic design, stems from healthy instincts to connect with the outdoors.
“Rooted in the concept of biophilia—our innate human tendency to seek connections with nature—this design philosophy often integrates natural light, materials, textures, plants, water features and organic forms with an aim to enhance wellbeing,” according to the Global Wellness Institute. Numerous studies support the theory that biophilic design can positively impact brain function and mental health.
At VISION House SHAWOOD, Sekisui House, a global, forward-thinking builder, is partnering with Green Builder Media to showcase the company’s commitment to sustainability and core values at Deerlake Ranch in Chatsworth, Calif.
The SHAWOOD brand of Sekisui House incorporates the centuries-old Japanese ethos of Satoyama, the harmony between human dwelling and the natural world, through biophilic design. Among the products showcased at VISION House SHAWOOD that meet the high standards and design aesthetic of the company is Creative Mines, a designer of manufactured stone products. Creative Mines recently earned an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for their products, which demonstrates their transparent commitment to sustainability.
“We’re focused on biophilic design and the natural application of stone, which is one of architecture's oldest connections to the natural environment,” says Brent Spann, CEO, Creative Mines. “Creative Mines can deliver the visual and tactile qualities architects associate with natural stone while allowing much greater control over profile, color, scale and application. We are the only manufacturer infusing our product with pozzolan technology, which delivers superior durability, freeze-thaw performance, no fade color and a 50-year warranty.”
Modern Sustainable Style
Modern, contemporary architecture typically refers to buildings with clean planes of white stucco, glass, steel and smooth concrete.
“Sustainability is changing what ‘modern’ looks like,” Spann says. “That isn't disappearing, but there's another layer developing – it’s getting warmer with the use of wood, stone, mineral colors and textured masonry. Modern homes include landscape integration, outdoor living spaces, courtyards and incorporating more natural light. Materials that visually age rather than simply look new.”
“Our Charwood color palette was inspired by the Japanese method for charring wood, known traditionally as yakisugi or shou sugi ban,” says Ryan Bennet, director of mold operations at Creative Mines. “This is an ancient wood preservation method. Creative Mines new bold Charwood color creates a unique interpretation of this color palette applied to our popular Board Form profile.”
“At Creative Mines, sustainability begins with creating beautiful, enduring materials while being thoughtful about the resources used to make them,” says David Nelson, plant manager, Creative Mines. “Our masonry veneer captures the texture, variation and character of natural stone without the need to quarry it from the landscape. We thoughtfully select and engineer our raw materials to create products designed for longevity, performance and lasting architectural relevance.”
The Biophilic Vision for Homes
At Deerlake, Creative Mines is showcasing several products to give builders and buyers an opportunity to see how they work together to strengthen the community’s biophilic design.
Split Modular: Split Modular comes in 2.5 inch and 5 inch heights with varying lengths, clean cut edges, split faces and the unique pronounced sawtooth texture for added depth and shadow play. This product is available in 11 distinct color palettes ranging from wispy whites and earthy browns to deep charcoal.
Orchard Limestone: Orchard Limestone features softened edges and varied ashlar shapes to create an organic rhythm. With stones up to 23 inches wide, Orchard Limestone brings scale, elegance and architectural relevance to timeless spaces. This product is available in eight different color palettes.
Urban Rectangle: Urban Rectangles feature a bold, split-faced texture that delivers strong geometry and material depth --- ideal for spaces defined by scale, simplicity and architectural intent. This product is available in Warmvibe and Winterfall.
Board Form: Hand-cast from rough-sawn planks, Board Form captures the authentic grain and knotholes of natural wood in every panel. Now featuring matching corners for a seamless finished edge, along with a new panel size for easier installation.
“Creative Mines products can also contribute toward LEED credits across several applications, supporting projects pursuing more sustainable building practices,” Spann says. “Through authentic texture, natural color and organic form, our collections complement the principles of biophilic design, helping strengthen the connection between people, architecture and the natural world.”
By Michele Lerner, Associate Editor
Michele Lerner is an award-winning freelance writer, editor, and author who writes about real estate, personal finance, and business.Also Read