Spatial, sensory, and material triggers of nostalgic memory in therapeutic landscape design

Abstract

Therapeutic landscapes have been defined as spaces that foster one's physical, psychological well-being through restorative experiences in interactions with the environment for some time. There is now a growing discourse where memory and nostalgia are identified as important components that enhance the therapeutic quality of landscapes by providing users with a sense of continuity, identity, and belonging. Objects that often evoke nostalgic associations include familiar materials & forms in a design, sensory cues, vegetation & landscape features, that can associate individuals with valuable past experiences. Yet, there remains limited scholarship that systematically identifies these elements and their implications for design. The study will identify spatial, sensory, and material elements that commonly evoke nostalgic memory which can also apply in the design of therapeutic landscapes. Thematic analysis of literature, and prior qualitative evidence demonstrates that nostalgia is often caused by spatial features (courtyards, gardens, water), sensory inputs (sounds, smells, textures) and material choices (timber, clay, stone). The findings show that nostalgia is not simply a sentimental construct but a valuable and practical design consideration to increase therapeutic value. Using nostalgic elements in today's landscape designs may provide comfort, lessen stress, and build resilience, connecting cultural heritage to modern well-being needs.