Alpha Group

Client Overview:

Alpha Group (formerly Alpha FX), a financial solutions provider, sought to transform their new 15,500 sq ft office in the prestigious Brunel Building, 2 Canalside Walk, London, into a space that seamlessly integrates biophilic design with the building’s industrial architecture. Their vision was to create a workspace that balanced natural elements with the raw aesthetics of exposed steel and concrete. The office needed to be both functional and inviting, with planting solutions that could enhance key areas, including open-plan offices, meeting rooms, a bar, and various social zones.

The Brief

Alpha Group required a biophilic office design that fused industrial elements with natural materials to align with their corporate ethos. The office, spread across 15,500 sq ft, needed planting solutions for various zones, including open-plan offices, meeting rooms, and social spaces such as a bar, gym, and barbershop. The goal was to create a modern, comfortable workspace while maintaining the aesthetic balance between the office’s industrial feel and natural elements.

What we did

Plant Plan delivered a comprehensive planting scheme featuring a blend of live and replica plants across multiple areas. In the open-plan office, we installed custom inbuilt trough planters and floorstanding planters with feature plants like Strelitzia Nicolai, Dracaena, and Kentia Palms to soften the industrial tones of the space.

A unique feature was the glass floor planting, where plants were showcased beneath the floor, adding an innovative natural element. In the auditorium, large planters were placed behind bleacher seating, providing a green backdrop that enhanced the communal area.

For the ceiling raft, we incorporated 34 metres of high-level replica planting, using species like Pothos and Ivy to add greenery to the exposed ceiling gridwork. Additionally, a 25m² meadow area featuring premium artificial foliage and grasses added further depth and visual texture to the office.

Challenges

One of the key challenges was adhering to the building owner's requirement that all plants be kept a metre away from the glass façade. This constraint required careful planning to ensure that the plants were positioned to meet the specification while still maintaining the desired visual impact throughout the office.