Introduction

Perched overlooking Aldgate Square is the St Botolph’s Building.

This curving, gleaming structure stands opposite the church of St Botolph’s Without Aldgate, a parish whose roots reach back many hundreds of years.

It seems fitting, then, that within the St Botolph’s Building is the new office of SRG. This flagship workspace aims to establish “a permanent home for SRG”, sitting just metres away from a church whose earliest written record dates back to the 1100s; permanence indeed…

Yet it’s not only the surroundings that inspire. Step inside, and the building opens up into a vast glass atrium, with winding corridors and streams of natural light filling every corner. The architecture itself is a marvel. It is a space that demands the highest level of detail, including the planting. For SRG, only the finest greenery would do to complement such an exceptional environment…

The space: A flagship office space

Spanning 33,000 square feet, SRG’s new flagship London office is a true reflection of the firm’s ambition: an environment built to embody its scale, innovation, and deep commitment to people.  

To bring this vision to life, SRG partnered with TSK Group on the interior design and with Plant Plan to integrate greenery seamlessly throughout the space. The result is more than just a workplace; it’s a living, breathing example of biophilic design at its finest.

Together, the teams set out to transform a high-end corporate interior into something far more dynamic, a vibrant workspace where natural planting softens architectural precision, creating a setting that feels both inspiring and restorative.

The brief: Using nature to complement corporate excellence

Installing workplace greenery in one of London’s newest skyscrapers presented unique challenges. Bustling trades, deliveries, and removals dictated an ultraprecise delivery schedule. Delivering a seamless planting scheme here would be no easy feat…

With so many moving parts (quite literally) coordination with other trades and careful timing were essential. Every plant and planter had to arrive exactly when needed, slotting into the programme without disruption and keeping the project moving forward.

Through a constantly reviewed process, we delivered with exact precision. What could have been a logistical obstacle became, with careful planning and clear communication, a smooth and efficient installation. Proof that even the most complex environments can host thriving office planting schemes.

The design: Integration at every level

The objective was simple; complete biophilic immersion.

Plants were designed to do more than line the occasional desk, flank a corridor, or sit quietly either side of reception. For this design, they were to fully and completely occupy the space, becoming part of the architecture itself. 

This approach worked in harmony with the wider biophilic design of the office. Above reception, bio-mimicking ceiling panels emulate the movement of a gently flowing stream. Timber panelling clads the walls, and natural fibres are found throughout, from the tactile finishes of the furniture to the warmth of the flooring underfoot. Every detail contributes to a sense of balance and calm, connecting those inside with the rhythms of nature.

Our planting design responded directly to these architectural cues. Planters were integrated into the joinery to create a seamless flow between built form and greenery. The choice of species was deliberate, with plants selected for both their visual impact and their ability to thrive in the building’s varied light conditions. From soft trailing foliage cascading over shelving to tall structural specimens grounding open areas, every planting element was placed with intent.

Overcoming Challenges: Engineering and Installation

Whilst our approach to creating the scheme was clear, the installation was not without its challenges.

A central London location, a multi-trade fit out, and some logistically ambitious planting meant that this project demanded laser-sharp execution to achieve the lofty design ambitions we had envisioned.

This was particularly true for the atrium space. An open balcony beneath the expansive glass dome would become home to two mature Ficus altissima trees. Working closely with structural engineers, the team assessed every aspect of the installation. Weight allowances were meticulously calculated to ensure the building could safely support substantial planters and fully grown specimens. Lighting plans were refined to meet the needs of both the plants and the wider workspace.

The partnership between Plant Plan and TSK Group was crucial in bringing the vision to life. Every decision balanced practicality with visual impact, ensuring the planting not only met structural and environmental requirements but also enhanced the overall aesthetic and atmosphere of the office.

Through collaboration, detailed planning, and expert installation, the team delivered a planting scheme that performs as beautifully as it looks. The result is a striking example of structural planning for biophilic design in the heart of London, where even the tallest trees can thrive indoors.

The outcome: A pinnacle of biophilic achievement

You walk up to the entrance of SRG’s Aldgate office and step into a reception flanked by towering standing plants. Your eyes drift upwards toward a rippling river above, wooden baffles that seem to wave you in. As you move further inside, beyond the reception, your outstretched hands brush through a lush forest floor of Pothos and Aglaonema, plants that have travelled thousands of miles to greet you here.

Winding through curved walkways and plant-lined booths, you emerge onto a balcony bursting with biophilia. Ficus altissima dapple the light that filters through the glass dome above, while planters on either side of the river-like walkway overflow with cascading Pothos and proud Zamioculcas. You find yourself in a clearing, a true urban jungle brought to life.

This project stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved when biophilic design is fully integrated into the architecture of a modern workplace. When planting is considered from the very beginning, it becomes more than an aesthetic addition, it becomes an essential part of the environment’s performance.