Unlike many of its neighbours, however, this office feels alive. It is a natural, balanced environment that captures both the rhythm of the city outside and the calm of nature within.

A new kind of workspace

The goal of this project was simple: to create harmony between nature and productivity, to pair comfort with corporate purpose. Inside Shawbrook Bank’s new City office, that vision comes to life through the thoughtful integration of planting and design.

The result is a workplace that shows just what office planting in London can achieve. It is a space that supports employee wellbeing, embraces sustainability, and celebrates innovation in every sense.

The brief: Bringing nature into finance

For a financial institution built on precision, innovation, and trust, Shawbrook Bank wanted its new London headquarters to embody those same values through design.

The project called for a seamless integration of greenery into the interior; plants were there to complement the office environment rather than dominate it.

The planting scheme also needed to serve a practical purpose: to partition the open space and provide subtle cues to help guide movement through the office.

Acoustics were another key consideration. In an open-plan environment, the sound-absorbing qualities of planting can make a significant difference to comfort and concentration, ultimately shaping the success of the entire scheme.

The design: Balancing subtle but stated approach

The key for this project was subtlety. Rather than competing for attention, the planting designs needed to compliment the clean, refined finish of the office.

Every planter was positioned with purpose, integrating seemlessly with the fit out. Some defined movement through the space, while others softened corners or framed meeting areas to create a sense of privacy.

Part of this seamless integration involved creating bespoke joinery that served as both furniture and planter. In doing this, we created greenery that felt like a natural extension of the interior architecture, as if it had grown with the space.

Careful attention was also given to the balance of light and life. Plant species were matched to specific locations based on their light requirements and growth habits; many of the plants would be surrounding the central column of the building, far from where the suns rays would reach. With this in mind, we needed to blend low-light loving plants, with some replica planting, where sufficient light was an impossibility.

The planting: Dealing with lower light levels

To account for the requirement of the space, we needed to select species that had both visual appeal, and suitability for varied interior conditions. In areas with limited natural light, adaptable species and replica planting were used to maintain consistency across the scheme. Statement plants brought height and structure to open-plan zones, while Zamioculcas and smaller varieties thrive in lower-light spaces.

Dense, structural species such as Scindapsus and Philodendron added texture and movement along shelving and feature planters, creating a dynamic, layered planting scheme throughout.

The result: An office planting scheme fit for a leading London financial institution

The planting is fully integrated into the workspace architecture, with planters designed to complement furniture lines and natural light zones. The result is a cohesive biophilic environment that feels both energised and grounded, promoting focus, wellbeing, and connection. The greenery not only enhances air quality and visual calm but also strengthens Shawbrook Bank’s identity as a forward-thinking, people-first organisation.

Conclusion

Whilst it may be an office in the heart of one of the busiest areas of the UK’s busiest city, Shawbrook Bank offers an escape from the pressures of the outside world. The space delivers all the benefits that biophilic design can offer, creating a calm and restorative environment for those who work there. It is truly a biophilic haven in the heart of the city.

If you are looking for an office planting scheme in London, or across the UK, get in touch!