The gardens employ the principles of biophilic design, which posits that nature and vegetation impact positively on human health.

It was constructed using sustainable materials and furnishings, advanced stormwater and healthy housing techniques, and biophilic design to connect occupants to nature.

The garden and the house, which has exposed beams and stone walls, were created by Clodagh Design, a New York firm that does biophilic design.

Biophilic Architecture and Biophilic Design" by Antonio Caperna, International Society of Biourbanism (www.biourbanism.org) "

But their architects, Rick Harlan Schneider and Petros N. Zouzoulas, realized the structure would block the kitchen's views and natural light - a major flaw in biophilic design.

Stephen R. Kellert, Judith Heerwagen, and Martin Mador, Editors, "Biophilic Design: the Theory, Science, and Practice of Bringing Buildings to Life", John Wiley, New York, 2008.

Applications and extensions of Wilson's original idea are now carried out by Stephen R. Kellert in the Biophilia hypothesis, and in by Nikos Salingaros and others in the book "Biophilic Design".

The Nature of Cities documentary by Throughline Productions, features Timothy Beatley and commentary by Richard Louv (Last Child in the Woods) and Dr. Stephen Kellert (Biophilic Design)

But as interest has grown in green design - creating a market that the U.S. Green Building Council estimates at $7 billion a year, up 37 percent since 2004 - biophilic design has become more prominent, too, and more in demand.

Biophilic design - the term is derived from biophilia, coined in 1984 by a Harvard biologist, Edward O. Wilson, to describe what he considered the innate human attraction to nature - incorporates real or simulated natural elements in an effort to promote well-being.