The goal for The Hive was to create a unique and authentic place for their staff and clients to work, whilst incorporating and being sensitive to the rich biodiverse landscape the buildings were being developed on. The Good Plant Company advised on the planting design from the beginning of the project.

Freestanding planters were designed in metal and bold statement colours to create unique, workable planters and furniture pieces.

The inclusion of a bespoke planting scheme was key to both the aesthetics of the workspace and the well-being of the staff, so only live planting was to be specified. Plants were to create focal points for meeting and break-out spaces, and to be seen from high to low to create an immersive planting experience.

To tie in with the authentic nature of the materials used in the building’s core, the feature planter elements were to be made of metal.

An interesting design was created in the central amenity area using Dracaena ‘Song of Jamaica’ trees in bespoke trough planters, under-planted with ferns to create a forest floor feeling. A statement display in reception was created using a 3m high Dracaena ‘Song of India’, set in the bespoke, bright red circular metal seat planter.

In the low light levels of the Amenity Area and the Reception smaller low light tolerant trees with characterful branch shapes were used.

The Hive commented, “We knew the planting scheme would be key to making our brand-new TTP Campus home. The site has a large open-plan footprint, so developing areas with more intimacy and bringing the natural world into our state-of-the-art building was vital.”

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