Creating a green space goes far beyond the choice of species and visual composition. In recent years, the
sensory garden has stood out as a proposal that
values the complete experience of those who inhabit or visit the projects. Instead of focusing solely on aesthetics, this type of project also considers the senses of
touch, smell, sight, hearing, and taste as central elements in landscape creation.
Retornar à origem às margens de um lago natural é a proposta de Betty Ibañez da CASACOR Bolívia. Sua criação decorre da ideia de conectar o ser humano com a natureza e preservar a flora e a fauna do entorno. O profissional conseguiu um espelho de água livre de produtos químicos, com peixes se movendo entre a areia e as pedras, proporcionando um refúgio natural. Ele fundiu colunas de plantas com cestas tecidas para contemplação de diferentes escalas. O local é complementado com móveis feitos de tecidos, conseguindo um espaço rústico onde a origem dos materiais é reavaliada. (Alvaro Mier/CASACOR)
More than a trend, the sensory garden is a
response to the new demands for well-being, presence, and connection with nature in daily life. Whether in homes, schools, clinics, or public spaces, it stimulates
affective interaction with the natural projects – providing
moments of contemplation, relaxation, and discovery through the senses.
What is a sensory garden?
The sensory garden is a
type of landscaping designed to evoke physical and emotional sensations through sensory stimuli. Each plant, texture, sound, or aroma is chosen strategically to awaken one or more perceptions, creating a
space that invites exploration and
mindfulness.
Daniele Karenine e Patrícia Macêdo - Chão de Chananas. CASACOR RN 2021 / (Felipe Costa/CASACOR)
This approach is often applied in
therapeutic and educational projects, but it can also be adapted for residential use. The important thing is that the garden functions as a
living project that stimulates perception and fosters the bond between people and the natural space around it. At a time when urban life tends to accelerate, the sensory garden proposes another pace.
Stimuli of the sensory garden to the five senses
Each element of the sensory garden is designed to engage with the five senses, promoting a
complete experience of immersion in nature. Instead of merely observing, the visitor is invited to touch, hear, smell, and even taste the project, establishing a
affective connection with the space around them.
Spagnhol Paisagismo - Jardim Tropical. Projeto da CASACOR Ribeirão Preto 2022. (Felipe Araújo/CASACOR)
Touch
Diverse surfaces, such as
bark, gravel, trunks, or velvety leaves, invite touch and offer a rich tactile perception. Pathways with different textures, plants with foliage that evoke distinct sensations, and
natural materials like wood contribute to this stimulation.
Smell
Aromatic herbs, fragrant flowers, and species with subtle fragrances are part of the sensory palette. The
scents of lavender, rosemary, or jasmine, for example, activate memories, calm, and bring a sense of freshness to the project
– promoting well-being in a simple and effective way.
Sight
Colors, shapes, and contrasts also play an important role in landscaping. The variation of green shades, the use of vibrant flowers, seasonal changes, and even the movement caused by the wind among plants contribute to a
dynamic landscape, that invites attentive observation and contemplation.
Hearing
The
sound of moving water, the singing of birds, and the rustling of leaves in the wind compose the
sound landscape of the sensory garden. Elements such as fountains,
water mirrors, or even the use of materials that produce soft sounds in the wind enrich this experience.
Taste
When the project includes
edible species, such as
fruits, herbs, or edible flowers, the taste is also activated. Besides bringing a
functional aspect to the garden, this dimension allows for an even more direct and pleasurable interaction with nature.
Casa UP, por UP3 Arquitetura. CASACOR Rio 2021 / (Denilson Machado/CASACOR)
Advantages Beyond Landscaping
The benefits of a sensory garden go beyond the aesthetic field and extend to
emotional, physical, and cognitive health. These spaces are especially valuable in therapeutic and educational contexts, stimulating
concentration, memory, balance, and motor coordination. In clinics, schools, and rehabilitation centers, they are important allies in caring for different audiences, such as children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Ginkgo Paisagismo - Travessa dos Olhares. CASACOR RS 2022 / Um jardim criado com o objetivo de fazer parar, relaxar e reparar no entorno. Um paisagismo tropical com uma ilha mediterrânea que cria diversos ângulos de contemplação. O projeto abraça toda a fachada da construção centenária, integrando a vegetação existente com novas espécies. (Cristiano Bauce/CASACOR)
Even in residential projects, the sensory garden offers a
daily refuge. It invites pause, encourages self-care, and rekindles the intuitive relationship with the natural project. It is a space where
time slows down and presence intensifies — a quality increasingly rare in contemporary urban life.
CASACOR Publisher is a creator of exclusive content, developed by the CASACOR Technology team based on the knowledge base of casacor.com.br. This text has been edited by Yeska Coelho. [abril-veja-tambem]W3siaWQiOjIwMzM2NSwidGl0bGUiOiJKYXJkaW0gY29tZXN0JiN4RUQ7dmVsPyBDb25oZSYjeEU3O2EgZXNwJiN4RTk7Y2llcyBlIGNvbW8gY3VsdGl2YXIgZW0gY2FzYSBvdSBubyBqYXJkaW0ifSx7ImlkIjoyMDMzMzEsInRpdGxlIjoiR3VpYSBjb21wbGV0byBwYXJhIGN1aWRhZG9zIGNvbSBzdWN1bGVudGFzIG5vIHZhc28ifSx7ImlkIjoyMDMwNTksInRpdGxlIjoiJiN4QzE7cnZvcmVzIGludGVybmFzIHJldG9ybmFtIGVtIHRhbWFuaG8gbWF4aSBuYSBDQVNBQ09SIFNQIn1d
