With recent record-breaking summer heatwaves, spiking urban temperatures have become a major concern for cities tackling climate change. Densely populated areas are warming far faster than their rural and suburban surroundings, creating dangerous “urban heat islands” that threaten public health, increase energy consumption, and disproportionately impact city-dwellers with lower incomes.

Ask any surfer—or person who loves being near the water—and they’ll tell you that “the ocean heals.” The saltwater, rhythm of the waves and tides, and even the silence of open water are all known to be therapeutic.

Commercial buildings are often seen as long-term assets—but their interiors are not. That’s because modern office spaces are in constant flux: Companies will typically do a full renovation every decade with additional changes every three to five years, design companies say.