Serenbe, a biophilic community located just outside of Atlanta, has been selected as the "World's Greatest Biophilic Community" by the national television series World's Greatest!. The recognition, announced by World's Greatest!, a series produced by How2Media that goes behind the scenes to spotlight noteworthy companies, organizations, and destinations, underscores the growing importance of biophilic design in addressing modern environmental and social challenges.
The designation matters because it validates a development model that prioritizes harmony between people and nature, a stark contrast to conventional suburban sprawl. For the feature, the World's Greatest! film crew traveled to Chattahoochee Hills to capture life throughout Serenbe, from its trails, farm, and farmers market to its architecture, restaurants, Inn, and streetscapes. The segment also includes interviews with Serenbe Founder Steve Nygren and COO Garnie Nygren, along with residents, exploring the vision behind the community and how its biophilic design connects people to nature through thoughtful land planning, fresh food, wellness, the arts, and everyday opportunities to spend time outdoors.
"Serenbe was founded on the belief that development doesn't have to come at the expense of nature and that the two actually enhance one another," said Steve Nygren, Founder of Serenbe. "Being selected as the World's Greatest Biophilic Community is an exciting opportunity to share what we've learned at Serenbe and show a national audience there is a different way to think about how we build communities and live our daily lives."
The implications of this announcement extend beyond Serenbe. As cities and towns grapple with issues like climate change, mental health, and community fragmentation, Serenbe's model offers a tangible example of how integrating nature into daily life can foster well-being and resilience. The community of over 800 residents is set among acres of preserved forests and meadows with miles of nature trails that connect homes and restaurants with arts and businesses. Focused on wellbeing, Serenbe features fresh food, over 300 days of arts and cultural programming, multiple independent shops, a 27-room Inn, a new wellness retreat, four restaurants, and a working organic farm.
Founded by the Nygren family in 2004, Serenbe has become a living laboratory for biophilic principles. Its selection as the "World's Greatest Biophilic Community" could accelerate interest in similar developments, influencing planners, developers, and policymakers to reconsider how land is used and how communities are designed. The national television exposure will bring this alternative vision to a broad audience, potentially shifting consumer preferences toward more sustainable living environments.
You can check out the Serenbe segment from the World's Greatest! episode here and for more information about Serenbe, visit Serenbe.com.
World's Greatest! is a national television series produced by How2Media that goes behind the scenes to share the stories of noteworthy companies, organizations, technologies, and destinations. For more than 18 years, the series has brought viewers informative and entertaining stories through on-location footage and interviews. World's Greatest! airs nationally and is also available across streaming platforms.
