I’m Sonali Dahotre, a landscape architect based in Pune, India
For nearly two decades, my work has been guided by the belief that there can be no meaningful landscape without ecology
A Gold Medallist in Landscape Architecture from CEPT University, I began my practice with focus on landscape design. Over time, however, my understanding of landscape expanded beyond the designed space to include ecology. I became fascinated by the relationships that exist in nature — between plants, soil, water, insects, birds, bats and people — and how these relationships shape the landscapes around us.
This has led my practice towards an approach where I begin each project by understanding its ecological layers first, and then designing around them. I explore how landscape design can work with natural processes rather than simply impose itself upon them. The aim is to create habitats that can continue to evolve and support life long after a project is complete.
My work now moves between landscape design, ecological research, writing and observation. I am particularly interested in native plants, biodiversity and the often-overlooked relationships that allow landscapes to function.
This exploration led to The Living Fence, a book documenting plants used for live fencing across India and their ecological, cultural and economic significance.
Whether through a designed landscape, a field study, a book or an article, I continue to ask the same question:
How can we design landscapes that eventually become a part of nature?