HORTIKA : Landscape Design Melbourne

As landscape architect, artist, horticulturalist, counsellor & yogi I lead a team of collaborative professionals to design nature & art inspired therapeutic, contemplative & physic landscapes.

We design not only for aesthetic appeal, but as a catalyst for personal and professional well-being. Each thoughtfully selected plant, meticulously placed within the overall design, becomes a stepping stone on an alchemical journey.

This approach to landscape architecture transcends mere aesthetics, co-creating with the power of nature and symbolism to foster self-discovery and transformation.

By carefully considering the inherent characteristics and symbolic meaning of each plant, professionals can cultivate a landscape that fosters introspection, mindfulness, and a deeper connection to the natural world, ultimately contributing to societies overall well-being and potential.

We design educational, therapeutic, contemplative & physic gardens specifically for the mental health and well-being of clients.

We also offer an online landscape design short-course which aims to educate clients before they engage our services.

Landscape Services

  • To design & cultivate vibrant outdoor spaces that connect clients to the transformative power of plants, enhancing their health, well-being, and connection to nature.

  • Therapeutic and contemplative landscapes represent a burgeoning field within design, intentionally fostering mental well-being. These environments strategically integrate natural elements – think the murmur of water features, the gentle curves of pathways, and the calming presence of diverse flora. By stimulating the senses and encouraging a mindful engagement with the surroundings, these landscapes promote a sense of tranquility and restoration. Research suggests they can be instrumental in reducing stress and fostering feelings of peace, ultimately contributing to improved overall health and well-being.

  • Public and open spaces hold immense potential to become therapeutic and contemplative landscapes. When designing these areas, incorporating elements that promote mindfulness and sensory engagement is key. Imagine winding pathways through calming greenery, interspersed with strategically placed benches offering vistas of nature. Water features, with their soft sounds and visual movement, can be powerful additions. By prioritizing natural materials and textures, these spaces can encourage a sense of refuge from the built environment. Public art installations that evoke tranquility or spark curiosity can further enhance the experience. Ultimately, by integrating these design principles, public and open spaces can transform into powerful tools for fostering mental well-being within our communities.

  • In designing well-being gardens, plant selection varies by purpose. Therapeutic landscapes favor calming textures, fragrant flowers, and diverse blooms for year-round interest. Contemplative spaces seek muted tones and interesting textures, while physic gardens prioritize historically significant medicinal plants with clear labeling, creating an experience that's restorative, reflective, or historically informative.

  • When designing lighting for well-being gardens, consider the mood. Therapeutic spaces might benefit from soft, diffused light, while contemplative areas could embrace darkness with a few path lights. Physic gardens could use a dual approach: task lighting for daytime plant ID and subtle spotlights on medicinal wonders to create a touch of nighttime intrigue.

  • Installing a well-being garden starts with understanding its purpose. Therapeutic spaces call for winding paths, calming water features, and sun-dappled seating. Contemplative areas favor secluded nooks with framed vistas. Physic gardens prioritize raised beds, clear labeling, and easy plant access. Plant selection and lighting design then follow, tailoring the experience to be restorative, reflective, or historically informative.

We know that therapy has everything to do with nature & landscape. We experience people and landscape as connected.

Therapy Sessions

  • Forest Therapy is a nature-based intervention with a guide to reduce stress and improve health by calming your mind and connecting you to the natural world.

  • Garden therapy is the practice of using gardening activities and plants to improve a person's physical and mental health. It can involve things like planting seeds, tending to flowers, or simply spending time in a garden.

    Garden therapy is spending time in nature with a guide to reduce stress and improve health by calming your mind and connecting you to the natural world.

  • Horticultural therapy is using gardening and plant-related activities to improve a person's physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. It can be used in many settings, like hospitals or community gardens, by a trained therapist.

Jai Cheswick is a maverick landscape architect. Working with plants and landscapes to improve the mental health and well-being of clients has been his life for thirty years.

Jai has designed and managed landscapes in Australia for clients in all walks of life. He now leads a team of designers, landscapers and technicians to bring unique and inspiring landscapes to life.

Jai Cheswick

Introduction to Landscape Design.

It all begins with an idea.