For Perla Machaen, a leader in real estate and biohacker specialized in interior spaces, this is not a rhetorical question, but the axis of her work. As a pioneer in the use of environmental probiotics, she has developed an approach that integrates principles of physical and mental well-being in interior design, inaugurating a new way of living.
With more than 15 years in the real estate industry, Machaen has put a magnifying glass on what many overlook: the quality of the air we breathe, the type of paint on the walls, the humidity levels or the artificial light that floods the spaces. Invisible details that, according to her, can have real consequences on the health of those who live in them.
“Changing certain patterns in the places where we live or work can improve our health by up to 80%,” he says.
Biohacking applied to design
Inspired by Dave Asprey, creator of the term biohacking, Perla decided to take this philosophy beyond aesthetics and turn it into a methodology to transform the experience of living. Its proposal is based on six fundamental pillars:
- Air quality
- Pollutant-free water
- Natural and regulated lighting
- Non-toxic materials
- Control of electromagnetic fields
- Geobiology, that is, the influence of place on the energy balance of the body
Invisible risks, tangible solutions
Among the silent enemies of indoor spaces, Machaen points out mold—responsible for allergies, respiratory problems and chronic fatigue—, artificial blue light that alters circadian rhythms, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in many paints, which release toxins for years.
Their proposal does not depend on futuristic gadgets or expensive technologies, but on informed and accessible decisions: controlling humidity, properly ventilating and choosing ecological paints can make a radical difference.
Meliá Brickell: an icon of the healthy future
Currently, Perla leads Meliá Brickell, the first biohacking and hypoallergenic residential building in the world. Located in the heart of Brickell, Miami, this project developed together with its team at UNCG incorporates air and water purification systems, circadian lighting and materials designed to maximize the physical and emotional well-being of its residents.
In addition, she is about to launch the Wellness Interior Spaces course, where she shares tools so that architects, designers and wellness enthusiasts can transform toxic spaces into regenerative environments.
Feel the space beyond the visual
The sensory dimension is essential. Machaen integrates elements that stimulate all the senses: natural light, harmonious colors, organic textures and aromas that induce calm or energy depending on the function of the space. All supported by neuroarchitecture, a discipline that studies how the environment affects the brain and human emotions.
With the support of experts, he is creating a new certification and founding the Longevity Interior Spaces for Human Longevity (LISI) institute, aimed at training professionals in an emerging field with million-dollar projections: the identification, repair and maintenance of healthy interior spaces.
Architecture for longevity
Biohacking is not applied the same in all cases. In homes, rest and privacy are prioritized; in offices, productivity and collective well-being. But the goal is always the same: turn space into a silent ally for health and longevity.
To measure the impact, Perla uses technological tools that analyze air, water and other factors, supporting each decision with scientific evidence. So your projects don’t just feel good: they also show it with data.
Rewriting luxury
Machaen promotes a movement to democratize information and raise awareness about the toxic spaces in which we live. He has named it “Casa Viva” and seeks to ensure that everyone can participate in the preservation of physical health.
Her work has also led her to collaborate with the White House in the area of MAHA (Make America Healthy Again), providing knowledge to protect health in indoor spaces.
In a world saturated with stimuli, Perla Machaen proposes a return to what is essential. His vision redefines luxury not as ostentation, but as health, balance and spatial awareness. From architecture, a new profession is opening: that of the well-being designer.
Perhaps the future of real estate is not in building more, but in building better.
