Serenbe

An award-winning biophilic community brought to life in Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia, has become a nationally recognized model for sustainable, wellness-focused living.

Project goals

Serenbe’s founders set out to create a community that connects people with nature, wellness, and each other. They envisioned more than just green space; together we embraced a mindset of well-being and prosperity expressed through Serenbe’s 12 Biophilic Principles. These principles had to integrate into the master planning and land development, and the development needed to align with strict local zoning standards.

Outcomes

With its first home built in 2003, Serenbe has since grown to house more than 700 residents with capacity for 1,700 residential lots, substantial nonresidential space, and 70% of the 1,700-acre space reserved for conservation and recreation. Atwell’s engineers have implemented innovative stormwater solutions and development practices to meet strict rigid local standards, leading to the community’s incorporation with the city in 2007. From the start, Atwell’s master planning, civil engineering, survey, and land development professionals have achieved far more than technical innovation.

As a testament to Serenbe’s land use vision and Atwell’s site planning team, households generate, on average, only four vehicle trips per day, as opposed to the national standard of ten. Local shops, restaurants, and the arts are a prominent focus. Neighborhoods are intentionally dense, but they never feel crammed. This fosters stronger community ties, leaving ample space for recreation and high walkability. Serenbe is also home to a new K-12 school and an aging-in-place facility, with plans for a luxury hotel, conference centers, outdoor event spaces, and corporate offices. Thanks to careful planning, innovative site development, and alignment with the 12 Biophilic Principles, we’ve helped Serenbe set a new precedent for sustainable living.

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