Introduction: A household family of brands

Your life has almost certainly been touched by one or more of the brands within the Kenvue portfolio.

Calpol, Listerine, Johnson’s, Aveeno; household names whose identities are founded on trust, wellbeing, and everyday care. They are also brands that often sit at the heart of our own lives, and our own sense of wellbeing, and self-care. Providing a workspace that supports that same sense of wellbeing, for the teams behind those brands is no simple task.

With a portfolio this recognisable and extensive, comes the expectation to create workplaces that perform to the same standard as the products themselves.

The Brief: Balancing workspace wellbeing with functionality

When greenery is considered early in the design process, it creates a far more natural balance between form and functionality.

Rather than being added into a finished space, planting becomes part of the architecture itself, shaping how the workplace feels and flows. For Kenvue's new space at One Station Hill, we had exactly that opportunity.

Working alongside Maris Interiors, we had the privilege of creating a workspace with planting at its heart. One centred around wellbeing, functionality, and the importance of creating of an environment people genuinely want to spend time in.

There was also sustainability to consider. And what is the most important aspect of sustainability? Durability. Within an office shaped by such varied light levels, it was essential that our plant selection was flawless, ensuring every species could thrive long-term within its environment.r

The Design: Embedding planting at every level

There were three key areas that we treated separately through this project; restorative areas, transitional areas, and of course the office space itself.

For the restorative areas, we wanted to maximise the planting effect, whilst keeping as much of the office space available as we could - planting is no good if it gets in the way of your ability to make your lunch...

We used hanging species such as Scindapsus and English ivy, suspended just above eye level. This gave us the strongest visual impact without taking up valuable floor or table space, meaning people could still comfortably sit down and eat their salad amongst the greenery.

Across the reception, we again wanted to lift the planting high, allowing it to deliver visual impact without affecting the functionality of the space below. This meant introducing some of our seamless replica planting. At that height, live plants simply would not receive the light levels they need to properly thrive, while ongoing watering and maintenance would have created both architectural and practical challenges.

At the centre of the scheme sat bespoke under-stair joinery planters, which sat directly within the architectural layout of the space, which we achieved by working closely alongside joinery contractors.

The plants: Designing for both low and high light levels

We have written a lot about the best plants for low light levels. But one of the challenges presented by this particular space was varied light levels.

For spaces like the under-stair seating area, we had to find a blend of plants that could cope with changing light levels throughout the day. We used Aglaonemas and Aspleniums to create a rich, textured feel that could happily handle both the lighter and darker corners of the space.

Throughout the wider space, we also brought in more of our favourite species: Peace Lily, Philodendron, and Calathea.

Rather than relying on singular statement plants, the scheme focused on depth, layering, and variation. Broad glossy foliage sat alongside finer textures and trailing species, softening the cleaner architectural lines of the workplace and helping the whole space feel richer, calmer, and more natural.

Beyond the integrated joinery planters, suspended planting was introduced into breakout and kitchen areas using Satin Pothos, Heartleaf Philodendron, Devil’s Ivy, and Asparagus Fern. The hanging greenery helped bring a softer, more relaxed atmosphere into the collaborative spaces, without ever overwhelming them.

The result: An office designed with wellbeing in mind

Hidden corners reveal rainforest floors. Open spaces yield hanging plants reminiscent of a botanical garden, while scattered liberally throughout the space, statement planters help shape your journey through this open, light-filled office.

A balance of living and replica planting, this scheme is a beautiful demonstration of just how effective workplace planting can be when it is considered from the very beginning of a project.

It also reflects the value of strong collaboration. When designers, joiners, and planting specialists work closely together from the outset, the result is something far more cohesive, natural, and ultimately, far more beautiful.

Conclusion

Kenvue's new flagship office at One Station Hill, is the result of a strong vision, and an exact execution. The space stands as a testement to just how well an office can cater to the wellbeing of those who work within.

If you would like to explore what we can offer you, wether you are looking for planting in London, or the for planting across the rest of the UK, you can get in touch with us here! We would love to hear about what you might have planned.