Plants in the Office

Plants in the Office, or Corporate Jungle

Landscaping office environments has become increasingly standard as part of the interior design process, as more research comes to light regarding the benefits that well placed plants can bring to productivity and overall well being.

Plants act as a natural filter and assist in reducing levels of carbon dioxide in the air as well as potentially harmful toxins generated by large technology devices and machines. A well considered plant design can therefore lead to purer air, and this can assist in the reduction of environmental irritations found in the workplace.

You may have heard that plants give off oxygen… this is true. Increased oxygen levels throughout an office can assist in stress reduction, improve mental acuity and combat natural predators of task completion, such as headaches and poor concentration.

In high density areas such as contact centres, or settings with solid reflective surfaces, plants can also be an effective tool in the control of ambient noise as they naturally absorb, diffract and reflect sound. In order to maximise these acoustic benefits, the choice of plant and subsequent placement is key.

From a design perspective, plants can provide an aesthetic alternative to traditional screening options when dividing people and work areas. They can also act as natural pathways, mapping out egress routes and promoting efficient movement throughout a floor plan.

Would-be Eco Warriors beware; plants in isolation will not make a building "green". They will however complement and strengthen an overall environmental strategy, and aid in working towards green building accreditation.

Our friends at Ambius are industry experts in the art of interior landscaping and you can find further information at www.ambius.co.nz