Case Studies
Thames & Hudson

Thames & Hudson

Thames & Hudson is a family owned publishing house, world leaders in the publishing of illustrated books with titles spanning art, culture, history and design. Their recent move to an old art gallery Kings Cross gave a fantastic opportunity to breathe life, both in the design and the planting.

A bright glass entranceway to an office. The desk is surrounded by floor standing plants.

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

The space feels calm and inviting. Softwood structures, natural light, shelves of books, and vibrant planting create warmth and curiosity. It’s a clear example of how biophilic design transforms workplaces, enhancing wellbeing and aesthetics. If you’re considering an office planting scheme in London, or across any other location in the UK, our team can deliver a sustainable, stylish solution tailored to your space.

A brightly lit office reception, populated by floor standing office plants.
A man at a standing desk with a bookcase behind him. Floor standing plants in the foreground
A communal workspace in a bright lit office, with two people sat reading books. There are office plants in the foreground and background.
A Bucida tree planted in a central brightly lit office space.
The hallway of a publishers office. Brightly lit with a bookshelf on the right hand side.
A man sitting in a communal office space, surrounded by floor standing office plants.
A publishers brightly lit office with a bookcase in the background, and workers at desks.
An office breakout space with sofas, a big open window in the background, and office plants in the corner
Ground up image of a bucida tree (also known as a shady lady), sitting planted in the middle of an space between two meeting rooms in a bright office.
Bright office reception with a big glass window in the background, a book case on the left, and floor standing office plants on the right, surrounding the reception desk.
A bright corner of a publishers office, with an indoor tree in the foreground.
A group of people at a high desk on the left, cast in rich natural light, with floor standing office plants in the centre.
a T&H wall mural, with Scandinavian style furniture in front, with indoor office plants on either side.
An open office space with a number of plants filling the space.
Gallery slider image
An appealing office meeting room with an indoor tree in the background.
A well lit communal office space full of people, with office plants in the centre.
An office breakout space filled with lush green floor plants
Gallery slider image
A T&H wall mural, behind a relaxing office breakout space, with indoor office plants on either side.
A long office corridor, with an office plant in the foreground
A modern, bright office kitchen space, with plants in the background, lit in natural daylight by a big glass window.

Planting Systems

Services

Plant Types

Company

Resources

Plant Plan Limited

Quartz House, Quartz Close, Enderby, Leicester, LE19 4SG

Company Number: 07573415

Registered in England and Wales

Cookie Consent Preferences