- Season 6
- Episode 2
- Architecture, Governance, Urbanism
As land in cities becomes scarce and expensive, public spaces are bearing the brunt. Can new models of urban development reconcile communal needs with profit?
In a warming, anxious world, can buildings heal both mind and planet? Unpack how well-being is reshaping sustainable architecture from the inside out.
| 00:00:00 | Architecture and wellbeing |
| 00:00:10 | “For someone who lives to be 80, that’s 72 years confined between walls.” |
| 00:00:20 | “More than half the global population now live in urban areas where anxiety rates are 20% […] higher than rural communities.” |
| 00:02:45 | “Well-being is no longer a mere measure of how well we survive. It’s increasingly becoming a yardstick of how well we thrive.” |
| 00:09:27 | Geneo | Singapore |
| 00:09:43 | “We’re talking five cutting-edge buildings, over 180,000 square metres of grade-A business park spaces, shops, restaurants, and even lodging facilities.” |
| 00:11:25 | “This network of spaces between buildings is open to everyone all day, every day.” |
| 00:11:37 | “It’s one of Singapore’s tallest structures made from mass-engineered timber that comes from sustainably managed forests.” |
| 00:12:12 | Interface | Atlanta, USA |
| 00:12:22 | “Interface is a global leader in modular flooring and a pioneer in corporate sustainability.” |
| 00:12:48 | “Step inside and you are immersed in natural patterns, abundant daylight, and living greenery that deliver tangible wellness benefits.” |
| 00:12:55 | “Interface brings its workplace philosophy to life through diverse interior spaces that cater to different work styles.” |
| 00:13:44 | Ramanujan Intellion Park | Chennai, India |
| 00:13:59 | “In 2015, the city endured devastating floods, India’s worst in over a century.” |
| 00:14:55 | “These green spaces also absorb all excess stormwater on site, helping protect against both future floods and droughts.” |
| 00:15:03 | “The park’s rainwater harvesting system paired with onsite wastewater treatment reduces dependency on the city’s strained water grid.” |
Ever wonder why, despite our innate love for nature, we spend 90% of our lives confined within walls? Today, over half the global population resides in dense cities, where mental health challenges outpace rural areas.
Yet, a fresh perspective is reshaping architecture, focusing not just on surviving, but thriving.
In the quest to enhance well-being, some projects are embracing the WELL Certification, setting benchmarks for healthier, happier lives. But how exactly can architecture influence our mental and physical health?
Geneo in Singapore exemplifies holistic well-being design. Nestled within Singapore Science Park, this development seamlessly integrates biodiversity with urban innovation. Imagine lush landscapes absorbing urban heat, and Singapore’s tallest mass-timber canopy sheltering vibrant social gatherings, spaces designed to nurture community, ecology, and human comfort.
Geneo (Singapore) blends business and biodiversity in 180,000 sqm of urban innovation.Across the globe in Atlanta, United States, Interface Global Headquarters redefines workplace wellness. Known for its pioneering environmental commitment, Interface crafted its headquarters to stimulate creativity and wellness through abundant natural light, biophilic elements, and diverse spaces tailored to individual needs.
Interface Global Headquarters (Atlanta, USA) fosters daily movement, mental ease, and community through its design.In Chennai, India, Ramanujan Intellion Park stands resilient amidst climate extremes. This sprawling tech hub actively combats flooding, drought, and scorching heat through green spaces and water management. When the city grappled with severe pollution, occupants enjoyed pristine indoor air, a testament to the profound impact thoughtful design can have on our daily well-being.
Intellion Park (Chennai, India) uses green space and air filtration to safeguard occupant health.Through conversations with industry leaders like Giovanni Cossu of CapitaLand Development, Jessica Cooper, and Jack Noonan (both from International WELL Building Institute), this discussion reveals how thoughtful design can cultivate environments where well-being flourishes.
Architecture today faces a dual mandate: to protect and heal. Can buildings foster happiness and resilience simultaneously? Explore with us as we uncover projects that not only enhance asset value, they elevate human experience.
Keep reading if you want to deep dive into this interview’s content and get more out of it. You can also find out more about this episode’s guest/s and sponsor/s, and the team that put it all together.
This episode is brought to you by:
| CapitaLand Development CapitaLand Development, or CLD, is the development arm of CapitaLand Group and has a portfolio worth S$21.5 billion, as of end 2024. With core markets in Singapore, China and Vietnam, CLD’s capabilities span across various asset classes, including integrated developments and business parks. Its strong expertise in master planning and project execution has won numerous accolades. CLD is committed to enriching lives and uplifting communities through sustainable and innovative solutions.In 2025, CapitaLand Group celebrates 25 years of excellence in real estate.W | capitaland.comFacebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram |
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The content partner for this episode is:
| International WELL Building Institute
The International WELL Building Institute is a public benefit corporation leading efforts to improve health and well-being in buildings, organisations, and communities. It advances its mission through the WELL Building Standard, WELL for residential, WELL Community Standard, WELL ratings and the WELL AP credential. IWBI also drives research into practice, creates educational resources and advocates policies that promote people-first places for everyone, everywhere. |
 |
This episode is brought to you by:
CapitaLand Development
CapitaLand Development, or CLD, is the development arm of CapitaLand Group, and has a portfolio worth S$21.5 billion, as of end 2024. With core markets in Singapore, China and Vietnam, CLD’s capabilities span across various asset classes, including integrated developments and business parks. Its strong expertise in master planning and project execution has won numerous accolades. CLD is committed to enriching lives and uplifting communities through sustainable and innovative solutions. In 2025, CapitaLand Group celebrates 25 years of excellence in real estate.
W | capitaland.com
Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram
The content partner for this episode is:
International WELL Building Institute
The International WELL Building Institute is a public benefit corporation leading efforts to improve health and well-being in buildings, organisations and communities. It advances its mission through the WELL Building Standard, WELL for residential, WELL Community Standard, WELL ratings and the WELL AP credential. IWBI also drives research into practice, creates educational resources and advocates policies that promote people-first places for everyone, everywhere.
Host
Nirmal Kishnani
Producer
Maxime Flores
Senior communications executive
Sana Gupta
Senior editor
Tyler Yeo
Sound technician and editor
Kelvin Brown | Phlogiston
Video editors
Mathew Jose Kurian | Pride of Pandis
Steve Roshan | Pride of Pandis
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