Three design takeaways from Nura, a biophilic dream in Brooklyn
There’s a lot to love about Nura, a breezy new date spot in Greenpoint, NYC, from the husband-wife duo behind Otis. The opening is already making waves, in part due to the fact that they’ve got Robertas’ ex-executive chef in the kitchen, in part due to the breadbasket. Because we know you want details on the latter, cosied up in a golden yellow cloth you’ll find puffy, Tandoori oven-baked garlic-coriander naan and miniature loaves of maple cornbread, served alongside three dips: yogurt, spicy hummus, and a blended, spiced carrot situation.
But hey, we’re not here to talk about dips. Not today. Nura is also a gorgeous space we can look to for biophilic design inspiration: the rising design trend of bringing nature and elements from the natural world into a space for our optimal health and mental wellbeing.
From the hundreds of plants within the light-drenched warehouse to the onion-stained alpaca lampshades hanging overhead, let’s get inspired by how Nura brings this biophilic dreamscape alive.
1. Mix and match plant textures, heights, and containers
We’ve seen a rise in biophilia in recent years, as more and more urbanites realise we have an innate need to connect with nature. We are actually biologically encoded to respond positively to natural elements—perhaps due to the thousands of years spent evolving in nature before ‘big city life’ became a common reality. Countless studies have shown that exposure to plants decreases anxiety, lowers stress, and promotes overall wellbeing.
To that end, the designers behind Nura filled the space with hundreds of potted trees and tropical shrubs, with the goal of “[emphasizing] the natural beauty of the corner space.” We can look to the intentionality of their choices and placement as inspiration when designing our own green oases.
Approach combining plants the same way you mix throw pillow textures or bedding materials. Combine different plant textures, placing something like a towering Ficus tree with small, shiny oval leaves beside a short Dracaena with long, striped foliage. Take the same approach towards the containers. First, thoughtfully select a colour palette to play within, based on the overall vibe of your space, then take an eclectic approach towards mixing container shapes and shades. For inspiration, note how Nura’s dining room container palette includes brass, grays, and terracotta, complementing the restaurant’s overall Moroccan design.
2. Lean on natural materials and earthy tones
It’s not just plants that can transform a space. As Biophilic Design author Stephen R Kellert states, “The use of natural materials such as wood, and spaces that include natural geometries such as fractals and curves can be highly evocative and satisfy biophilic design needs.”
At Nura, a massive skylight and floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with sunlight at magic hour and the night sky after sundown. The space was formerly an auto-body shop, and they pay homage to that through an exposed industrial ceiling and gray stone floor, while adding biophilic elements like curved-back dining chairs with caramel-colored leather seats and onion-dyed alpaca lampshades.
Taking inspiration from Nura, consider how you can add biophilic design elements to complement the bones of your space. Choosing curved wooden furniture, natural materials for shades, rugs and blankets, natural artisanal dishware… these are all ways to add peaceful, biophilic appeal beyond trees and plants.
3. Use plants to create cosy nooks within a larger space
When dealing with a large, cavernous space (like an old auto-body warehouse… but also like a large living room or basement in your own home), it’s worth thinking about how you can compartmentalise the space to create more intimate vibes for lounging and conversing.
Nura does this through thoughtfully arranged furniture and plants. Unlike walls or space dividers, plants and trees can provide the feeling of a segregated space while still allowing air and light to pass through. Placing potted plants on small tables, mixing trees with shrubs and smaller plants, and alternating between plants and statues or other art can all add variety and interest when creating a Nura-inspired nook.
Whether you’re working with a warehouse or apartment, there’s a lot to be said for incorporating biophilic elements into your space. We love getting inspired by the thoughtfully designed spaces in our favourite cities, and Brooklyn’s Nura is no exception. We can’t wait to stop by again and devour that bread basket while enjoying the peaceful ambiance.