Move along, ping pong tables.
Take a hike, coffee cart in the lobby … but don’t roll too far away.
It’s time you went the way of the dodo, motivational poster misquoting Steve Jobs.
There’s a new trend taking over startup headquarters, and it’s one with many more benefits than back-breaking bean bag chairs (may they rest in physio heaven).
The living walls adorning the lobbies, conference rooms and cafeterias of these companies contribute to improving air quality, uplifting their mood, and generally creating a healthier and happier workplace. Here are eight companies that have adopted the green wall architectural feature and made it their own.
1. Trustly (Stockholm HQ)
Who: Trustly – a fintech startup on a mission to make online payments a breeze.
Where: Stockholm, Sweden
Designed by: pS Arkitektur
Photo by Jason Strong via Office Snapshots
The swings are there. And so are the Japanese prints in the bathrooms. There are even sun loungers strewn about like colorful M&Ms on a long outdoors terrace.
But what better way to enjoy crisp greenery during long and dark Swedish winters than a lush vertical garden?
In a subtle palette of grey, black and wood tones – with a dash of copper – the plant wall packs just enough zing to stand out, but not to command all the attention.
2. Yoobi (Los Angeles HQ)
Who: Yoobi – a school supply company on a one-for-one mission. For every Yoobi item you buy, another one is donated to a school in need in the United States.
Where: Los Angeles, California
Designed by: Tucker Warner
Photo via Flora Felt
This custom vertical garden was created using a system made out of plastic water bottles recycled into felt.
The pleated felt is designed to keep moisture in the system while maintaining the front of the planting pockets dry and allowing the roots of the plants to grow into the moist felt. The reclaimed wood enclosure hides a storage tank that recirculates the water.
3. Codewise (Krakow HQ)
Who: Codewise – the second fastest-growing company in Europe, Codewise designs and maintains a battery of digital marketing tools.
Where: Krakow, Poland
Designed by: Make It Yours, Krakow
Photo by Piotr Mastalerz and Przemek Kuciński via Make It Yours
A fern wall in a colorful brainstorming room?
A ceiling-mounted projector rubbing shoulders with strips of moss?
Or a lush green addition to the humdrum of a cafeteria?
It’s hard to choose a preferred green design. But at Codewise you don’t really have to choose. They’ve added them all into their office design. Plus, extra houseplants scattered around for a more joyful and productive workplace for Europe’s second fastest-growing companies.
4. easyCredit (Nuremberg HQ)
Who: easyCredit – the leading consumer credit experts in Germany.
Where: Nuremberg, Germany
Designed by: Evolution Design
Photo via Evolution Design
Vertical surfaces are covered in low maintenance moss in the restaurant and barista cafe – bringing the “marketplace feeling” to a fintech environment. The moss wall adds a contemplative and calming vibe to the buzz of the cafe.
The public areas inside easyCredit’s headquarters are especially designed to resemble a city vibe, a perfect spot for collaboration and innovation to thrive.
5. Uniplaces (Lisbon HQ)
Who: Uniplaces – a large European player in the online marketplace for student accommodation.
Where: Lisbon, Portugal
Designed by: Paraelelo Zero Architecture
Photo via Paralelo Zero
The main draw of this green wall design is how it plays with perspective. Are you outside looking in or inside looking out?
The arched windows of Rossio, the emblematic railway station, emphasize the feeling of fluidity and dynamism. The headquarters play with the idea of a mix between work and leisure, and there’s nothing better to remind employees to disconnect and take a break than the (not so subtle) nod to nature.
6. Solar Mosaic (Oakland HQ)
Who: Solar Mosaic – the first US online marketplace connecting investors with high-quality solar projects.
Where: Oakland, California
Designed by: Forge Architecture
Photo by Patrik Argast via Forge Architecture
It’s only fitting for a renewable energy startup to turn to biophilic design. Solar Mosaic committed to not one or two living walls, but to twenty of them. The green walls bring fresh, lush and planned pops of color into the historic bank building that the startup converted for their expanding HQ.
7. Planning-inc (London HQ)
Who: Planning Inc – an award-winning agency delivering next-generation data marketing solutions.
Where: London, U.K.
Designed by: Action Workspace
Photo by Andy Heathcote via Office Snapshots
The space was tight in their East End headquarters, so data agency Planning-inc decided to move to a larger warehouse office space in the South Eastern district of the city.
Turning a cavernous warehouse into a flexible and stylish workplace for creative and dynamic workers is not the easiest brief to bring to fruition.
But with the use of natural light and greenery, it might just be possible. The moss living wall that divides a meeting and brainstorming place from the breakout kitchen is a perfect prop to make this transition smooth.
8. Wodify (Lisbon HQ)
Who: Wodify – an all-in-one gym management software
Where: Lisbon, Portugal
Designed by: MCA
Photo via MCA
The breathtaking nature of this living wall design is the way it plays with perspective. Seen from one side, it looks like it’s about to overgrow and take over the room. If you look at it straight on, it gives the illusion of a bird’s eye view of an enchanted forest.
The combination of moss, ferns and tropical plants in different shades of green makes this green wall the focal point of the expansive restaurant area.
Have more green startup headquarters that you want to share? You know where to find me.
For an extra dose of public space urban jungle, check out this Stockholm co-working space.
