As we celebrate 20 years of the Leaf Awards, plants@work is excited to reflect on some of the most exceptional member projects that have shaped the industry. Here's a standout project from 2006
The Royal Bank of Scotland, Edinburgh
Gold Leaf
Design and Installation
PHS Greenleaf
During the spring and summer of 2005, PHS Greenleaf are proud to have successfully completed the prestigious Gogarburn headquarters building for Royal Bank of Scotland.
Greenleaf worked directly for the main contractor MACE with whom Greenleaf had previously completed the BAA Waterside and GlaxoSmithKline Headquarters.
This was the largest scheme in Scotland for many years. Following the design of landscape architect Edaw 10 and 12 metre Ficus nitida, trees were selected from South East Growers in Florida USA. The landscape architect individually selected each tree from the field nursery and the specimens were acclimatised for over two years enabling them to finally thrive within the environmental conditions of the new building.
During the complex acclimatisation process, uniformed canopies were created and the client was updated at regular intervals with images from the nursery. Tony Lunn, Greenleaf's senior project manager, supervised the complete installation with help from horticulturists from the PHS Greenleaf Glasgow depot.
Each tree had to be moved up to 3 times prior to installation due to other operations on site, then carefully positioned into each tree pit, using specialist lifting equipment. A unique soil mix was used and each tree pit included a rotation system to enable long-term even growth for the trees within each space.
Within the central avenues a further 15 x 8m Ficus alli, Ficus ‘Green Gem’ and Ficus ‘Amstel Queen’ were installed. Each space incorporated a different leaf shape and form. Elegant Nephrolepis and Asplenium ferns were installed within the restaurant space and in addition there was a concentration of colour within a special built in bed using seasonal flowering plants changed 10 x times per annum.
All trees had to be in pristine condition ready for the opening by Her Majesty the Queen in September. This scheme is now both an eFIG and BALI awards winner for Greenleaf.