WELLNESS DESIGN
DESIGNING HEALTHIER HOMES AND WORKPLACES
The built environment has great potential to serve as a medium of healing and well-being. We help create healthier spaces by reducing avoidable, negative stressors ranging from insufficient task lighting to toxic building materials.
Our process embraces science, intuition, alternative healing practices and the qualities and patterns of the natural world. Anchored to the realities of building and budget, we bring a style-agnostic layer of well-being to the design conversation.*
BIOPHILIC DESIGN : Inherently familiar to our psyche and bodies, natural materials, patterns and shapes can effectively relax or stimulate the nervous system depending on the application. Biophilic Design principles are built around the positive effects thoughtful and purposeful references to nature can have on our senses, body systems, and mental health.
With our experience in Feng Shui/ Ayurveda and understanding of Elemental cycles and relationships, we can apply biophilic design on a deeply strategic level.
ACTIVE DESIGN : Incorporating more opportunities for movement in buildings and their surroundings can help counteract negative effects of our predominantly indoor, sedentary lifestyle. Recommendations may range from ergonomic furniture to building circulation.
WELLNESS STANDARDS : Wellness building standards offer a holistic structure to address multiple layers of well-being, ranging from air and water quality to nutrition. Whether seeking certification or using the standard as a framework, we can apply features of WELL, Fitwel and Living Building and act as project managers if certification is desired.
MATERIAL HEALTH : Studies have proven the negative health impacts of many toxics used regularly in building materials. As chemicals frequently off-gas or wear off of materials and furnishings, specifying less toxic options is vital for healthy indoor air quality [IAQ]. Recommendations can be delivered as a BOD with chemical limits, or by helping source specific products.
*We have relationships with many architecture and interior design firms for ground-up builds and renovations, and are happy to collaborate with others who are open to our process.
WELLNESS DESIGN CAN INFORM :
site geometry
indoor air quality
lighting and acoustics
healthy home features
sensory considerations
ergonomics/ active design
integrating natural features
less toxic materials/ furnishings
…more…
TOOLS INCLUDE :
Wu Xing, Feng Shui, Biophilic Design, Animistic Design, Active Design, Material Health, Wellness Building Standards, Evidence Based Design, Environmental Psychology, Geomancy, Map Dowsing
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El Larson studied and practiced holistic healing modalities for 20+ years before applying principles of balance and well-being to external spaces. She is certified in Feng Shui and accredited in the WELL and Fitwel building standards.
Her work centers around fundamental Feng Shui principles and biophilic design and incorporates holistic and intuitive practices to assess and balance people, spaces and the land.
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Based in Pasadena, California on the lands of the Gabrieleno Tongva, we offer Feng Shui, Space Clearing and Holistic Wellness Design to Los Angeles County and beyond.
Virtual consultations are available for many project types, and we are happy to travel.
Please contact for information or a complimentary intro call.
Like acupuncture for the home or work space, Feng Shui assesses how beneficial energy [Chi] nourishes the land, inhabitants and building. Blocks and imbalances may be detected and remedied to support overall well-being and specific life areas.
Physical and energetic adjustments [remedies or 'cures'] may include changes to layout, color and décor, landscaping, personal energy practices and more.
Consciously correcting external conditions that may reflect an internal imbalance helps bring awareness to our more subtle actions and thoughts, offering physical reminders to shift mindset and behavior.
Healing spaces include building a respectful relationship with the land and structures that support and shelter us. We start with deep listening to understand what is needed and welcome by the space.
SPACE CLEARING : shifting ‘stuck’ or outdated energy on existing buildings or the land and welcoming in new Chi
LAND CEREMONIES : sharing intentions for the space, groundbreaking, releasing trauma
TREE CEREMONIES : preparing a tree friend and nature spirits for removal or heavy pruning / limb removal
El Larson is a practicing Druid who works from an animistic, Shamanic perspective and can align rituals with many spiritual belief systems. A portion of the service fee is made as a donation to the indigenous tribe or band who tended the land prior to colonization.
The texture, shape and feeling of sound is the foundation of our production work. We work with principles of entrainment to offer pre-recorded, custom audio and consulting services.
ON DEMAND AUDIO : available through InsightTimer, Bandcamp and your preferred streaming platform as Heare.
SOUNDSCAPES : a more subtle version of background music for business or residences
CONSULTING + COLLABORATIONS : sound design + consulting for artists
SOUND ARCHITECTURE : considering the acoustics effects on occupants beyond noise mitigation