Maria Fernanda Marques's vision for livelier gardens connected to the territory

For two decades, Maria Fernanda Marques has built a career marked by a sensitive and technical reading of the landscape. At the helm of the office that bears her name, the landscape designer develops gardens from the encounter between regenerative landscaping, soil science, biophilia and knowledge of Brazilian flora, understanding nature not just as scenery, but as an active part of the experience of inhabiting.

Maria Fernandes Marques Paisagismo - Da Terra ao Solo. Projeto da CASACOR São Paulo 2026. (Roberta Gewehr/CASACOR)

At CASACOR São Paulo 2026, this vision took shape in Da Terra ao Solo, a 330 sqm project that brought together some of the main ideas developed by the professional throughout her career. The garden combined ecological landscaping, works of art and a holistic approach to the territory, with rocks positioned based on habitat medicine, hives highlighting the role of native bees in biodiversity and works by Carol Ambrósio integrated into the landscape. On the porch, memories and fragments of her journey completed the space designed to slow down.

Maria Fernandes Marques Paisagismo - Da Terra ao Solo. Projeto da CASACOR São Paulo 2026. (Roberta Gewehr/CASACOR)

In the following interview, Maria Fernanda Marques shares the references, inspirations and experiences that shaped her career, in addition to revealing how these repertoires translate into her way of thinking about landscaping.

1. What were the main challenges of participating in CASACOR 2026? And the main achievements since then?

Maria Fernanda Marques: Being in a passageway area was a challenge from the setup, with intense flow of the professionals involved, through the exhibition period. Visitors passed through eager to see the indoor projects and we had the mission of making them stop to learn about the base causes of our project: biodiversity of native Brazilian species, the presence of insects and animals in the garden for ecological balance, Brazilian art made from clay, composting and leaf cover for the garden.

As for the achievements, I believe they are the relationship with the professionals involved in CASACOR, the exposure of the project's theme, which guides the work developed in the office, and the dissemination of the importance of ecological biophilia to diverse audiences.

Maria Fernandes Marques Paisagismo - Da Terra ao Solo. Projeto da CASACOR São Paulo 2026. (Roberta Gewehr/CASACOR)

2. What was the most special element of your project at CASACOR São Paulo 2026?

MF: The most special elements were the sculptures of the Insect Hotel and the artistic hives, manifesting ecological interaction and beauty. These pieces show that it is possible to create solutions based on the interaction of the natural ecosystem.

3. What did you discover doing CASACOR that outsiders can't even imagine?

MF: The event is challenging and requires attention and professionalism at every stage. The behind-the-scenes work is intense due to the short time frame and the various requirements to ensure the success of the exhibition.

Totens da série Verdades, de Carol Ambrósio, no ambiente (Adriana Barbosa/CASACOR)

4. How does your creative process work when designing a new project?

MF: Our creative process begins with observing the site's potential through landscape analysis. We observe the terrain, water flow, preservation areas or places that need afforestation, buildings, boundaries, solar position, winds and soil.

From the natural potential, we begin studies related to the requests brought by the client. We seek inspiration in nature, escaping common sense. We conduct a great deal of research on local vegetation and always seek to incorporate elements of art.

Projeto de Maria Fernanda Marques (CASACOR)

5. What does a landscaper need to stand out in today's market?

MF: The landscaper needs to understand the project's impacts on the environment as a whole. When we talk about global warming and people's well-being, this requires landscapes that communicate with balance, collaborating with ecological cycles.

Furthermore, projects that bring together art, ecology and research manage to stand out in the market, a direction contrary to the globalization of the landscape.

6. What professional dream would you like to fulfill?

MF: We have fulfilled many dreams since the beginning of the company and new dreams are formed from the ones previously achieved. Currently, our dream is to impact a greater number of people regarding environmental awareness, which generates greater awareness about the scenic beauty of the places where we live. We also want to inform about the importance of a preserved and well-cared-for environment, the impacts generated on emotional health, how we eat and the origin of food.

Projeto de Maria Fernanda Marques (CASACOR)

7. Suggest a book, film or even a destination that shaped your creative vision.

MF: The natural landscapes in every corner of this planet are so diverse and each one opens up various learnings, enchantments and always awakens creativity. It would be unfair to indicate a single reference and leave so many others with less expression.

What is most enjoyable and magical are these differences. Observing natural scenery is pure inspiration. So, exploring this universe in different places is extremely important to generate a repertoire for designing, without globalizing plants and landscapes.

The diversity and wisdom of nature enchant me and generate the desire to replicate gardens that dialogue with the local projects. We are an abundant quantum potency when in resonance with natural landscapes.

(CASACOR)