Our client presented our team with an interesting design challenge. When 540employees were relocated to a 78,000 sq.ft. leased space, many “opportunities” presented themselves. Located on the top floor of the Montgomery Park office building, built in 1920 for Montgomery Ward’s mail-order and catalog employees!

Challenges for the design team began with an open ceiling and ended with a concrete floor. Twelve inch bamboo platforms were designed to create a warmer feel in the space, visual interest and a noise reduction solution. And then there was this challenge!

All seemed well until the day prior to move in. The city inspector would not grant the space a Certificate of Occupancy! Our client was given a 10 grace period which allowed them to move all furnishing in as long as a solution ‘on paper’ was submitted. Pricing was initially gathered to install handrails around the expansive perimeter of the platforms. This was an incredibly expensive option.

Plants to the rescue! This client embraces all of the benefits that including nature in the space bring as evidenced by many other locations in the Portland business community. We quickly went to work on a floor plan to be submitted to the Building Inspector that would give him confidence to know that plants in large wall-like containers would remedy all of the safety concerns he had and allow him to grant a COO.

The end result: Forty-five 48” rectangular ‘Earth Wall” containers with a mix of 5 different plants selected. The client was clear that they wanted to create a feeling of privacy for their employees and also be careful not to create barriers for engagement.

This space is very close to large windows that allow great light into the space, and gorgeous Portland views. We selected Croton ‘petra’ for added color and interest. As you can see these planters are the perfect safety solution for this rather precarious work space.

Twenty-four rectangular containers line the edge of the platform in one of the 30,000 sq.ft. open office spaces. A combination of Dracaena ‘lemon-lime” and Zamioculcas ‘ZZ’ create a gorgeous energizing display and safety barrier.

Occupants of the space greeted us with huge smiles and sincere expressions of thanks when we arrived with the plants! Most of the employees came from a private cubicle workspace and felt very exposed in this new ‘open office’ environment.

This is a nice view across the room that shows the impact that well-appointed plants and containers can make!

All of the ramps are secured with handrails which fit nicely with the containers. This is one of many Co-lab spaces that is warmed up for collaboration and creative discussions. Here we introduced Dracaena ‘lime-light’ and Sansevieria ‘zeylanica’.

For added interest we added large Caryota ‘mitis’“Fish Tail“Palms in strategic meeting spaces.

Employees love their plants and have affectionately named their new work space; Jurassic Park!

The initial design recommendation was to include a taller plant species at each supporting pillar. We were unable to do that due to the fire code restrictions. In the end, the client loves the clean lines and simplicity of the design.

When entering the space one gets an immediate boost of energy, aesthetic beauty and a general feeling of positive moral. This client is smart! They know that bringing nature and people together in the work environment has positive economic benefits.

The platforms were in compliance with code, however the inspector deemed that they were a safety hazard for the occupants of the space. Our client looked to us to solve this problem.

And that is exactly what we did! End result: Building Certificate of Occupancy: Check. Relieved and happy client: Check! Productive and energized employees: Double Check!

A ninety-eight year old building is re-purposed and re-energized for 540 employees! Our industry has played a key role in the final success of this project, and ongoing sustainability of this work space.