One of the most notable shifts we’ve observed in homebuilding has been the evolution of wellness. What was once largely focused on energy efficiency, indoor air quality, water conservation and high-performance systems has expanded into a broader discussion about how homes support everyday life. Those elements remain essential, but today’s homebuyers view wellness more holistically, urging the industry to respond.
As people place greater emphasis on health, wellbeing and quality of life, they expect their homes to reflect those priorities. McKinsey’s 2025 Future of Wellness Survey found that 84% of U.S. consumers consider wellness a top or important priority. At the same time, the Global Wellness Institute reports that wellness real estate expanded at a 19.5% annual rate from 2019 to 2024, far outpacing the 5.5% annual growth rate for overall global construction. Together, these trends indicate that wellness is no longer a niche topic, but a major influence on where people choose to live, what they value in a home and the communities they want to be part of.
Wellness cannot live in one room or be reduced to a singular feature. Spa bathrooms, fitness centers and smart thermostats are valuable, but meaningful wellness-driven design starts much earlier in the build process. It begins with planning, architecture, orientation, circulation, light, air, materials, landscape, technology and the way spaces support the everyday rhythms of life.
The latest America at Home Study shows wellness is increasingly shaping how buyers evaluate home design, with 60% of consumers citing health and wellness as the number one reason they desire certain home features, up 17% from two years prior. Buyers are interested in features that support wellbeing, including spaces for fitness or relaxation, air and water quality solutions and stronger connections to nature and community.
These preferences become even more significant when looking at who tends to guide these conversations. SeeHer’s latest HER Health Report found that women influence 91% of new home purchases and 80% of healthcare decisions, underscoring the growing intersection between housing, wellness and quality of life.
Wellness design often requires interdisciplinary contributions. Architects influence light, flow and connection, while interior designers shape the sensory and emotional experience. Landscape architects create moments for relaxation and engagement with nature, while product manufacturers contribute through materials, technology and performance systems.
In many ways, homebuilders and developers are becoming the orchestrators of this ecosystem. The opportunity is not simply to assemble attractive homes and communities, but to align countless decisions around one central question: How can the places we create better support the people who live there?
At Tri Pointe Homes, that thinking has led to the launch of LivingWell, a new focus that builds upon the company’s LivingSmart program. LivingSmart reflects Tri Pointe’s long-standing commitment to sustainability and responsible building practices. LivingWell expands that foundation by exploring how a home feels, functions and supports daily life in emotional, physical and social ways.
The first expression of LivingWell is under construction at The Pavilions at Holladay Hills in Utah, where Tri Pointe is developing a concept home that demonstrates how whole-home wellness can be integrated through architecture, interiors, landscape, systems and products combined. The initiative is intended to inform future wellness-focused concepts and experiences across Tri Pointe communities nationwide.
Architectural strategies for the concept home focused on natural light, indoor-outdoor connectivity, privacy and spatial flow alongside interiors designed for comfort, restoration and everyday living. Those principles extend into the landscape through outdoor rooms, edible and pollinator-friendly plantings and opportunities for meaningful connection to nature. Product innovations and performance-focused materials further demonstrate how wellness can be expressed through every layer of the home.
The home’s private courtyard anchors the design, connecting indoor and outdoor spaces while drawing natural light deeper into the home. Flexible living areas, gathering spaces, multigenerational accommodations, smart technologies, indoor air quality enhancements and durable materials work together to maximize everyday wellbeing.
Every home doesn’t need every wellness feature. Examples like LivingWell illustrate the broader principle that wellness is most effective when it is integrated from the beginning. Homebuilders and developers who support wellness holistically through light, landscapes, flow, flexibility, comfort, connection and community experiences will be better positioned to meet evolving buyer expectations.
Wellness is no longer just an amenity checklist. It is emerging as a design discipline that will shape how the next generation of homes and communities are imagined and delivered. As an industry, we have the opportunity to think more intentionally about how our work contributes to greater wellbeing for everyone.
By Linda Mamet. She is the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Tri Pointe Homes. She can be reached at linda.mamet@tripointehomes.com.
This column is featured in our July issue of Builder and Developer. Read the print version here.
