CREATIVE DESIGN
Instead of a linear garden, the space is revealed gradually, with elements that visually guide and evoke a feeling of discovery.
RESULT
Each zone— a contemplation courtyard, a shaded walkway, a resting area— has its own atmosphere, yet all are connected within a unified landscape language. The design invites progressive discovery, sparking curiosity and encouraging slow contemplation in an environment that combines order and surprise.
The character of the project is defined by its visual strength and the coherence between plant elements and structural materials. Corten steel planters, strategically placed, provide continuity and define spaces without resorting to rigid barriers. Their presence adds identity and elegance, shaping pathways and creating a subtle dialogue between vegetation and the building’s architecture. Among these metal structures, the magnificent mature olive trees serve as reference points and natural shade, creating quiet corners and offering a sense of Mediterranean maturity that reinforces the garden’s identity.
The uniqueness of the architecture was carefully considered. The project respects and enhances the existing architectural elements, integrating them into the garden’s visual narrative. The relationship between built form and vegetation can be perceived in every corner: walls, large windows, and courtyards become the backdrop to a landscape that supports and enhances the building’s functionality without competing with it.
Located in a consolidated urban environment, the landscaping project for the Official College of Pharmacists of Málaga demonstrates that institutional gardens can combine functionality, character, and aesthetic sensitivity.
This design by La Menara was conceived as a sensory journey, where each space offers a distinct experience while remaining integrated into a coherent narrative that reflects the identity of the College and its harmony with the architecture.
From the main entrance, visitors perceive the balanced relationship between architecture and vegetation. Pathways are carefully organized to connect different areas of the garden without losing clarity or fluidity.
MATERIALS
The choice of materials reinforces the garden’s identity and its institutional character. The paving combines durable surfaces with planted areas that soften the pathways, adding freshness and variety. The metal planters not only serve a structural function but also contribute texture and visual warmth. Their characteristic oxidized tone contrasts with the silvery greens of the olive trees and the soft hues of shrubs and grasses, creating a balanced and sophisticated color palette.
The vegetation was selected not only for its aesthetic value but also for its adaptability and sustainability. The mature olive trees, along with specimen cork oaks and holm oaks, provide shade and presence, while aromatic shrubs, grasses, and perennials create visual layers and varied textures. This plant diversity allows for a dynamic experience, where color and movement change with daylight and the seasons, making each visit to the garden a unique experience.
The nighttime lighting enhances the garden’s architecture. Warm, strategically placed lights highlight the metal elements and plant specimens, creating an intimate and elegant atmosphere. The pathways are transformed at nightfall, becoming a safe and inviting space where the interplay of shadows and light accentuates the sculptural quality of the planters and the majesty of the olive trees and quercus species.
CREATIVE DESIGN
Plant species are grouped by texture and density, combining aromatic shrubs, soft grasses, and sculptural specimens that highlight focal points without breaking the overall harmony. Vegetation is not a decorative backdrop; it is an architectural element that shapes the space, defines routes, and structures the open areas.
Water, present in discreet fountains and reflective pools, reinforces the garden’s narrative. It not only brings freshness and a relaxing sound, but also accompanies and organizes the pathways, creating moments of pause and contemplation. Combined with stone paving, these spaces become areas for rest and reflection, essential to the visitor’s experience.
The color palette is Mediterranean and sophisticated: silvery greens, warm greys, and earthy tones blend with the vibrant colors of shrubs and perennials, offering a subtle and elegant contrast. This selection strengthens the institutional identity of the School and provides visual harmony throughout the walk.
The project incorporates sustainable solutions such as efficient irrigation, natural drainage, and climate-adapted vegetation. These elements allow for low maintenance without compromising the freshness and beauty of the garden. Every decision—from the choice of species to the materials and lighting systems—was made in pursuit of a balance between aesthetics and functionality, efficiency and durability.
The result is an institutional garden that combines design, character, and sustainability, offering an attractive and useful space for both visitors and employees. The integration of vegetation, materials, and architecture creates a coherent environment where every corner invites you to pause, observe, and enjoy the surroundings.
The creative design focuses on the visitor’s progressive experience, contrasting exemplary plant elements and different heights to generate a very interesting sense of movement.
Instead of a linear garden, the space is revealed gradually, with elements that visually guide and evoke a feeling of discovery. The pathways are articulated through subtle axes and contrasting vegetation, allowing open views to alternate with more intimate corners, creating spatial and emotional diversity.
The Corten steel planters act as landmarks and reference lines, while the outstanding olive trees introduce verticality and depth.
