The Residential Issue of Landscape Architect and Specifier News saw many firms submit their projects for feature consideration. Natura Gardens is one of several great projects we are excited to showcase on LandscapeArchitect.com.

 
The 30-acre Natura Gardens incorporates 10 acres of restored wetlands, creating a thoughtful balance between community living and environmental responsibility. These restored wetlands serve as a central, living framework for the community-demonstrating how residential developments can act as custodians of scarce ecological resources. The site plan immerses residents in the seasonal rhythms of this essential ecosystem, allowing daily life to unfold alongside shifting water levels, native habitat, and the quiet resilience of wetland environments.

To honor the cultural history of inhabiting and adapting to wetland landscapes, the design introduces Seminole-inspired chickees-traditional thatched-roof shelters-strategically placed within communal open spaces. A sandy community beach reinforces this connection, offering a place for gathering, reflection, and engagement with the land's heritage. Beyond the wetlands themselves, the landscape transitions into a series of lush parks and open spaces that showcase many of the same native plants, extending the ecological character of the wetlands into the heart of the community.

By transforming a once-overlooked site into a resilient, wetland-centered community, Natura Gardens demonstrates how residential developments can protect fragile ecosystems, strengthen environmental stewardship, and create meaningful connections between people and nature.

To see more Residential projects, go to: https://landscapearchitect.com/landscape-articles/lasns-residential-issue

For more information about submitting a project, go to: https://landscapearchitect.com/research/editorial/editorial-submissions.php