Interior plants are bringing ‘alive’ AECOM’s new office space in 177 Bothwell Street, Glasgow.
The global infrastructure consulting firm opened its brand new second-floor office, occupying 20,000 sq. ft, on 27th February 2023.
David Armstrong, regional facilities manager, said: “Planting was key for the new space.
At one point, companies were taking plants out of offices, but now they are realising the health benefits associated with plants and incorporating them into office spaces.”
Research has proven the presence of plants in office spaces provide significant benefits including improving indoor air quality, increasing productivity and reducing stress levels.
David said: “Plants help wellbeing and there is a huge emphasis on wellbeing at AECOM.
“As you walk round the office you will see plants on the end of furniture and that’s a feature throughout all our redesigned offices.”
Live planting has enhanced three distinct areas in the interior environment of the Glasgow office space.
Business Garden
Clients and visitors to AECOM, Glasgow are greeted in the Business Garden, a relaxed meeting and social space surrounded by glass walled meeting rooms. Strategically placed groups of charcoal, Polystone planters help to separate meeting tables, while the plants add a natural element and soft texture, as well as providing noise absorption qualities in the open plan area.
The ceiling to floor windows allows light to flood the space, creating the ideal environment for plants to thrive.
Office space
At AECOM a booking system is in place for the 141 available desks in the new office space which is lush with cabinet top plants.
Desk occupancy has been high since the opening of the office, but wandering through the space it seems quiet and serene in the presence of the leafy divisions.
Tracey McLennan, office manager, said: “What a difference they [the plants] have made.
In the workstation it was a wee bit sterile and then the plants came in and they just made everything alive.”
Stunning Harp space dividers customised with planters partially screen off the main workspace on one side of the office, creating the perfect backdrop for greenery.
While the 500 staff officially based at the Glasgow office have the option to work flexibly from home, the new office space provides the ideal environment for working in teams and providing creative inspiration.
David said: “If you’re sitting in a nice working environment with a nice outlook then it makes the process of designing easier.”
Social
A long, luxurious seating feature, complete with mixed foliage brings a vibrancy to the main social area. Here, team members can enjoy lunch, a snack, a coffee or conduct meetings whilst connecting with nature.
Cabinet planting
Low level planting throughout the office spaces and social area has been kept consistent and includes: Monstera obliqua, Philodendron ‘White Wave’, Philodendron ‘Narrow’, Aglaonema ‘Silver Bay’, Chamaedorea elegans, Dracaena surculosa, Asparagus plumosus, Aglaonema ‘Maria’ and Aglaonema ‘Crete’.
