Macquarie Bank

Client overview:

Macquarie Bank, an international financial services group, occupies several floors at Ropemaker Place in London. Their 250,000ft² office, designed by Studio Pringle and Clive Wilkinson Architects, emphasizes employee well-being and flexible, sustainable workspaces. The biophilic design elements contribute to the overall health and productivity of the team.

The Brief

Macquarie Bank sought an adaptable biophilic design solution to fit their changing needs and budget. The design required floor-standing plants, hanging plants, and a moveable living wall to promote wellness. A significant challenge involved incorporating a large tree in the low-light restaurant on Floor 6 and creating cascading greenery throughout a stairwell stretching from Floor 6 to Floor 11.

What we did

We introduced a mix of floor-standing planters, hanging live plants, and ceiling rafts across multiple office floors. In the restaurant area on Floor 6, we installed a large feature tree, providing a natural focal point. Along the stairwell, troughs of cascading plants softened the transition between floors, offering visual continuity. Preserved walls and high-level preserved plants were placed in low-light conditions to maintain the greenery without heavy upkeep. The moveable living wall allowed flexibility in office space management.

Additionally, we worked closely with CBRE and JLL, adapting our service contract to fit the evolving budgetary constraints of the project. This included regular maintenance services and flexible planting options that aligned with Macquarie’s sustainability goals.

Challenges:

The project presented two key challenges: low light levels in specific areas and the complexity of coordinating between two facilities management companies and Macquarie’s UK and Sydney offices. These logistical challenges required flexible planning to ensure the design met budgetary requirements while maintaining high-quality plant installations.

Outcome and feedback:

The result was a visually stunning and functional biophilic design that improved the aesthetics and atmosphere of Macquarie’s office. The cascading plants along the stairwell and the moveable living wall became standout features. The FM team praised our efforts, stating, “Thanks for making us look good.” The flexibility in our contract enabled the design to adapt to budget changes while maintaining quality and consistency, ensuring long-term success in our partnership.