Designing Gardens That Help People Thrive

At Design with Rudi, every landscape begins with one intention:
to create a space that supports your well-being, nourishes your senses, and restores a deeper connection with the land.

Our approach is grounded in salutogenic design principles — a philosophy focused not on what prevents illness, but on what creates health.
In the landscape, this becomes the art of shaping environments where people feel grounded, inspired, and at home within themselves.

Explore Our Creations

The Principles We Design With

1. Coherence

A garden that makes sense to the body before the mind.

This is the feeling of effortless understanding — pathways that flow logically, spaces that feel intuitive, gradients that guide without instruction.

In your landscapes, coherence shows up as:

gentle sequencing of spaces
movement from sheltered to open zones
planting palettes with rhythm rather than chaos
water as a connecting thread

Coherence allows the nervous system to soften because nothing feels random or overwhelming.

2. Connection

Designing for belonging — to the land, to self, to others.

Connection appears through:

sensory pathways
places to gather or to be quietly alone
sightlines that link indoors and outdoors
materials that feel familiar or grounding
native plants that reweave ecological whakapapa

Connection is the heartbeat of well-being.
Without it, no garden can truly heal.

3. Clarity

A sense of knowing where you are and how to move through the space.

Clarity reduces cognitive load.
People relax when they feel oriented, empowered, and safe in a landscape.

In practice:

clear entry thresholds
distinct zones (arrival, nourishment, rest, play)
defined edges
lighting that increases night confidence
structured layers in planting

Clarity lets the garden communicate effortlessly.

4. Calm

Spaces that regulate the nervous system.

Calm is created through conditions, not decoration.

Our landscapes evoke calm through:

the sound and presence of water
soft plant movement in wind
natural materials that age gracefully
limited, intentional colour palettes
shaded microclimates for refuge
views of sky and horizon lines

Calm is designed into the bones, not sprinkled on top.

5. Flow

Where movement feels natural, graceful, and embodied.

Flow is both physical and energetic:

meandering paths shaped by desire-lines
transitions with purpose
balanced proportions that avoid stagnancy
circulation that mimics natural systems

Flow is the antidote to stuckness.
A garden with flow keeps life moving forward.

6. Meaningful Engagement

Designing for sensory presence and emotional connection.

This is the principle that transforms a garden from beautiful to healing.

It includes:

textures that invite touch
scents that awaken memory
edible or medicinal elements
places to pause, breathe, contemplate
wildlife that returns as part of the ecosystem
rituals supported by the design (morning sun spot, barefoot path, water reflection moment)

Meaningful engagement is what lets people feel they belong in the space.

7. Regeneration & Kaitiakitanga Alignment

Landscapes that give back more than they take.

protecting mauri
restoring ecological balance
improving soil, water, biodiversity
designing longevity, resilience, and ease of care

A regenerative landscape is inherently salutogenic — healing for both people and place.

Let's Create Together

Testimonials

Lily Johnson

״The restorative landscapes created by Design with Rudi have brought a sense of peace and harmony to my outdoor space, allowing me to reconnect with nature in my everyday life.״

Ethan Ramirez

״Design with Rudi's commitment to sustainability and ecological balance has transformed my property into a living sanctuary, reflecting my values and respect for the environment.״

Olivia Lee

״The collaborative journey with Design with Rudi has resulted in a landscape that not only enhances the beauty of my surroundings but also resonates with the intention and spirit of the land.״