Serenbe, a biophilic community located just outside of Atlanta in Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia, has been selected as the "World's Greatest Biophilic Community" by the national television series World's Greatest!. The announcement, made on September 9, 2026, underscores the increasing recognition of biophilic design—an approach that integrates nature into the built environment—as a viable model for sustainable development and community well-being.
The World's Greatest! film crew traveled to Serenbe to capture daily life throughout the community, from its trails, farm, and farmers market to its architecture, restaurants, Inn, and streetscapes. The segment features interviews with Serenbe Founder Steve Nygren and COO Garnie Nygren, along with residents, exploring the vision behind the community and how its 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."
This recognition matters because it brings national attention to a pressing question: how can communities grow while preserving the natural environment? Serenbe's model demonstrates that residential and commercial development can coexist with conserved forests and meadows. With over 800 residents and growing, the community is set among acres of preserved land with miles of nature trails connecting homes, restaurants, arts venues, and businesses. It also features a working organic farm, four restaurants, a 27-room Inn, a new wellness retreat, and more than 300 days of arts and cultural programming annually.
The implications extend beyond one community. As cities face challenges related to climate change, public health, and social isolation, biophilic design offers a potential blueprint for fostering healthier lifestyles and stronger social ties. By showcasing Serenbe on a national platform, World's Greatest! helps validate and popularize this approach, potentially influencing developers, planners, and policymakers to prioritize nature-integrated design.
For those interested in learning more, the Serenbe segment from the World's Greatest! episode can be viewed here, and additional information about Serenbe is available at Serenbe.com. World's Greatest! is a national television series produced by How2Media that has been sharing stories of noteworthy companies, organizations, technologies, and destinations for more than 18 years. The series airs nationally and is available across streaming platforms.
Serenbe was founded by the Nygren family in 2004 and has since become a leading example of biophilic living. Its selection as the World's Greatest Biophilic Community not only honors its achievements but also signals a broader shift toward recognizing the value of designing with nature in mind.
