Outside In Blog

Where do you feel most calm & creative, the most productive?  Is it sitting outside, close to nature, in your garden, under a tree? Or perhaps at home, in reach of the coffee machine and in more comfortable surroundings?

Gone are the days where a few plants in glazed ceramic pots in the foyer provide the finishing touch to a new building. For architects, it’s now standard practice to incorporate plants into the design, right from conception. Plants are being used as a living element that is portable, growing, and ever-changing. They provide function and form while looking beautiful. They can change the ambiance and feel of a space, adjust acoustics and improve the energy efficiency of buildings.

Attracting foot traffic during both the day and evening, retaining valuable floor space, and refreshing the interior while keeping within the structural boundaries of the building were a few of the constraints to revamp the waterfront restaurant, Oyster + Chop. For the Outside In team, the constraints helped spark their creativity and they designed clever and bold ways to use plants to give the restaurant a fresh and vibrant street appeal.

We all love fresh flowers, and it's become customary for reception areas and offices to have a bouquet of cut flowers delivered each week. But this practice is no longer environmentally sustainable, nor is it cost effective. The idea of cutting flowers and keeping them in water until they die doesn't hold the same allure these days...

Outdoor patios are the perfect way to soak in the sun and relax, sheltered from the elements in comfort and style. Add some lush greenery to draw nature in and you’ve got the ideal setting to enjoy a long lunch and sip a glass of champagne.

If you often feel tired and slightly "under the weather" at work, you may well be experiencing the recognised symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). SBS is a phenomenon where people have symptoms such as respiratory and sinus congestion, skin rashes, coughs, headaches and tiredness, when they are in certain buildings or indoor spaces. Many people report relief from these symptoms once they leave the building.

Once you've realised the significant health and productivity benefits of indoor plants and understand why your office should have plants, the next step is to decide where to get them from. Do you buy your own plants, pots and gear OR do you contact a hire plant company to do the job for you?

These days many of us are living and working in urban areas (sometimes well above the ground level), giving us much less time with nature. We know that indoor plants can improve our health and Vertical Garden Designs are a perfect way to bring the outside in.