You know what’s wild? If you walk outside on a hot summer day and put your hand on the hood of your car, it’s scorching. But touch a leaf — it’s cool. That’s because grass, trees, anything with chlorophyll, is reflecting infrared light instead of absorbing it.

Marnee Nelson on timber pergola-covered deck with barn and farmland in the background at family farm — Marnee Nelson stands on her custom pergola-covered deck with the family’s barn and open farmland in view—a peaceful corner of a life built on hard work.

That reflection creates a natural kind of shield. It’s why the coolest spot on a blazing afternoon is under a tree. Scientists have measured this for decades: living near green spaces doesn’t just make us feel better — it lowers risks of diabetes, hypertension, even premature death.

So when people say “man was meant to live in a garden,” it’s not just poetry. It’s biology.

And here’s the thing: gardens, trees, and green spaces aren’t just “nice to have.” They’re infrastructure. They keep people healthier, happier, and more connected. For businesses and communities, they’re also strategy. And that’s exactly where timber frame structures come in — because they make these spaces usable, beautiful, and lasting.

Why Green Spaces Matter

Recent studies highlight how living near greenspace can dramatically improve health:

Timber pergola with arched beams and lattice roof, creating shaded seating in a landscaped commercial courtyard — A custom Western Timber Frame pergola adds shaded comfort and architectural elegance to this commercial courtyard, blending form and function in an outdoor gathering space.

People surrounded by greenery show lower rates of diabetes, hypertension, and premature mortality. [source: National Library of Medicine – Greenspace and Health ].
A UK Biobank study of 440,000 participants found that people living near the greenest areas were 36% more likely to have healthy vitamin D levels, strengthening immunity, bone health, and metabolic balance.
Infrared photography shows how trees and grass reflect light, creating cooler microclimates that protect the body from heat stress.

Commercial Benefits of Greenspace

Multiple timber pergolas over outdoor benches and tables on a college campus courtyard, offering shaded gathering and study space. — A cluster of Western Timber Frame pergolas creates comfortable, shaded outdoor spaces for students to collaborate, study, or relax in the courtyard of a college campus.

For commercial spaces—universities, corporate campuses, resorts, or healthcare facilities—integrating greenspace is more than aesthetic. It’s a measurable health and business strategy.

Employee wellness: Outdoor timber pavilions provide restorative breaks that improve focus and reduce burnout.
Customer experience: Restaurants and hotels with shaded outdoor dining areas keep guests comfortable and returning.
Healthcare recovery: Studies show patients with views of gardens or access to outdoor areas recover faster, need less medication, and report higher satisfaction.
Sustainability: Timber frame structures support green design goals with renewable materials and long life spans.

Timber Frame Structures: The Bridge Between Indoors and Outdoors

Mass timber frame architecture makes greenspace usable year-round—residentially and commercially.

TimberVolt® lighting installed on a restaurant pergola with custom railing — Seamlessly integrated power and charm—TimberVolt® enhances dining patios with beauty and function.

Pavilions and gazebos turn outdoor land into active gathering spaces.
Pergolas create semi-shaded environments where people want to linger.
Cabanas give resorts and hospitals weather-resilient structures that extend usable square footage.
Custom commercial builds scale this vision up—supporting outdoor classrooms, dining courts, healthcare retreats, or corporate event spaces.

The Takeaway: Designed to Heal and Gather

Man was meant to live in a garden—but not just any garden. One that welcomes both solitude and community. One where families, employees, patients, and guests can thrive.

That’s why heavy timber frame structures matter. They are not just architectural accents—they are the bridge between modern life and the restorative power of nature.

Woman reading a book under a timber-framed pavilion with cushioned seating and autumn trees in the background — A tranquil moment under the Western Timber Frame Vancott Pavilion: a woman enjoys reading in a cozy, shaded outdoor seating area surrounded by autumnal warmth.

Whether in a backyard or a corporate campus, investing in greenspace supported by lasting architecture is investing in health, connection, and legacy.