To enhance occupier and guest wellbeing, interior plants were integral to the design of the reception design at 300 Bath Street, refurbished and unveiled last summer.

London and Scottish Property Investment Management (LSPIM), on behalf of Regional REIT, appointed Michael Laird Architects to reimagine and redesign the existing entrance, moving it to Bath Street which allowed them to create a light, revitalising space for a more approachable and welcoming arrival experience.

Jo Moroney, customer care and marketing manager at 300 Bath Street, said: “With the large corner, curved glazing and new entrance, the space was always going to be beautifully light. From the get-go we knew we wanted live planting within space.”

She said: “On its own [the reception area] was carefully designed and curated, but when adding plants into the styling, it created the sense of tranquillity. The combination of natural materials, luxurious interiors, and live planting, it was perfect.”

Green greeting

Guests and occupants entering the radiant foyer of the former Tay House, are immediately greeted by a lush ball-head Ficus Alii adding a natural softness to the space.

Travelling further into the building a planted wall shelf follows the flow of the staircase into the welcome lounge.

While the wall shelf acts as a division between the tea point and the stairs, the plants not only aid wellbeing but provide a barrier to meet health and safety regulations.  The addition of greenery, Jo explains, fill the gaps for compliance while maintaining a sense of openness and space.

Welcome lounge

Reaching the top of the stairway, staff and visitors enter a truly stunning space where live planting provides the perfect enrichment to the interior environment. Large windows allow light to stream in, offering views of the iconic Mitchell Library, while the sound absorption qualities of the natural foliage facilitate the peaceful atmosphere.

Character planting trios bring texture and depth to the décor in the seating area while overhead foliage creates a canopy in the vast lobby.

The area is ideal for colleagues to get together for informal meetings, a social catch up and pop-up events whilst guests can grab a coffee and chill before alighting to a meeting room.

The Plants

It’s no happy accident the plant shades coordinate with the interior décor. Elaine Carrington, sales manager at GP Plantscape, and Jo took time and care to select planting to fit with the space. Pinks, dark purples and greens feature in the furniture as well as the foliage.

Jo said: “I’m a bit particular with plants, but I’ve worked with Elaine and GP so much on other refurbishments that I think you guys know what I like and how I aim to coordinate several elements of a refurbishment and building identity

“Elaine turned up on site [with plants] and I was like ‘These are all perfect, they are literally ideal.’”

She said: “The little flashes of pastel pink and deep purple you see against the white planters and oak panels as you walk up the stairs to the welcome lounge are both complimentary of the interiors and rebranding and strikingly interesting.”

Featuring in the displays:

Character trios: Strelitzia reginae, Monstera deliciosa, Ficus lyrata and Ficus elastica Belize.

Planting wall and overhead gantry: Calathea medallion, Monstera deliciosa, Hoya carnosa, Ficus Lyrata and Calathea roseopicta.

Embedding wellbeing

The refurbishing and rebranding of the former Tay House reflects the changed expectation of the amenities companies, businesses and their staff expect in today’s office space. As well as plants to boost wellbeing, the building now features extensive wellness amenities including cycle storage and a fully-furnished gym with showering facilities.

Jo said: “I think for a while everyone was concerned about the death of the office and workplace with hybrid and remote working policies coming into focus but that’s not the case.

“We still want to investing money into our office spaces and we are always thinking about ways we can improve and do better for our day-to-day users.”

Festive finale

For an end of year ‘feel good’ uplift, occupants at 300 Bath Street are being greeted by a 12ft artificial Christmas tree, decked out in branded colours.