Since 2004 Paul Cooper has completed three gardens which represent a significant departure from his usual commissions. Two have been for residential homes that care for adults with Autism, and a third for a 'halfway' house for homeless young adults with alcohol or drug abuse problems. These gardens for specialist needs have provided Paul Cooper with a demanding but subsequently very gratifying new challenge and all have been received with enthusiasm by the care workers and residents alike.

The portfolio of images is mostly of the first of the three gardens to be completed. The Sensory or Interactive garden at Newbus Grange, near Darlington was commissioned by Castlebeck who specialize in the care of adults suffering from severe behavioral problems such as autism. Castlebeck have asked Paul Cooper to be involved with the creation of similar environments at other centres at Nottingham and Coventry.

The Sensory Garden at Newbus is designed to delight and entertain but its primary function is to serve as an antidote to behaviour associated with autism. The garden is intended to stimulate the senses, not passively but actively, and to encourage social interaction. But the garden is not just for the residents; it is conceived as a facility to be enjoyed by all, including staff and visitors.

The sensory garden at Newbus is essentially a series of garden 'galleries' set within a formal layout. Each gallery is designed to highlight one of the four main senses, namely touch, smell, seeing and hearing. Each gallery contains statues, painting-like screens and appropriate planting. The screens and statues encourage interaction and can be 'played' with. The screens are also designed to accommodate experimentation - each can be changed to allow future introductions of other sensory experiences as part of the learning process.

The garden for Marissa House in Blackburn differs from that at Newbus Grange in that each interactive element was created with a particular resident in mind. As a result there is an outdoor puzzle, as well as spinning sculptures and noise making contraptions. The design of each of the element is garden related. One of the spinning sculptures is like an aviary; another mimics a pond complete with mechanical fish.

The third garden was created at Haines House in London and supported by the homeless charity CRASH. The simple uncluttered space complete with garden room is intended to provide the temporary residents (all male) with an outdoor recreational space for leisure, entertaining and physical exercise.