Thames & Hudson

Client Overview

The building Thames & Hudson have moved to has been a garage, a warehouse and most recently a contemporary art gallery. It has a rich heritage, just like the company. High ceilings, exposed services and structural elements and beautifully tall windows - the space is physically pared back, using pale timber, gentle light, and soft colours to allow the books to take centre stage.

The Brief

Whilst the Japandi interior creates a blank slate for their voluminous library, the minimal feel needed softening. Thames & Hudson wanted greenery that would bring warmth and homeliness to the space.

It was also a great opportunity to take advantage of some of the building's structural quirks, including lightwells and cantilevered walkways.

What We Did

As the office is split into neighbourhoods for different functions, we curated a layered planting scheme throughout the areas with clusters in large open spaces and enclosing seating areas.

We used interesting, creative plants that have both character and a sense of freedom Strelitzia nicolai, Schefflera amate, Ficus robusta, Philodendron bipinnatifidum and Howea forsteriana. Along with this artistic mix, we sourced an eclectic selection of textured, handcrafted pots in soft greens, creams and light greys.

The architecture of the building really lent itself to some statement trees which provide both a focal point in open spaces and add a sense of soft grandeur. We selected three tall, well-structured Bucida buceras trees, chosen for their airy canopy and elegance. Two of them were positioned in lightwells, giving a unique dual-aspect view of the trees, from underneath and above.

The third tree was positioned in the middle of the main atrium, central to communal spaces and adjoining neighbourhoods.

Challenges

Whilst this was a great project, it didn't come without its challenges - that's probably why we took on the job!

The first thing we had to deal with was lighting. That might sound strange, given the tall windows and abundance of natural light! However, the tree locations were all pretty dark and wouldn't have supported the trees long-term. We selected and installed specialist lighting, programmed to come on between 8pm and 8am so it supports the trees during the darkest periods and doesn't disrupt the natural ambience of the space.

The second hitch was structural loading. One of the building's many former uses was as a garage. This meant there were numerous voids for flush-fitting machinery and oil sumps. Ironically, the worst of these were in the locations where we wanted to put the trees!

To fix this, we worked with the structural engineers and came up with the idea of custom-built planters that would evenly distribute the weight of the Bucida trees. As well as achieving this, the planters blend beautifully with the soft green tones of the space.

The Result

Walking through the space is so peaceful and calming - the simple structures clad in pale softwood, the natural light bathing everything in a summer's glow, the huge number of books providing interest and piquing curiosity, and finally, the plants bringing the gentleness and warmth of nature.