Page 39 - I-Plants Magazine special 2021 Biophilic Design Awards issue - regular res

Bronze Award Bronze Award 39

Cut Floral, Artificial Foliage & Artificial Floral Work Cut Floral, Artificial Foliage & Artificial Floral Work
$100,001-$250,000 $30,001-$40,000

Project: Project:
Mall at Green Hills Corporate Offices

Congratulations to: Congratulations to:

Planterra Corporation NPK Associates, Inc.

Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A

List of plants/flowers used: Artificial Plants: Chlorophytum comosum, Zamioculcas zamiifolia,
Fittonia vine, Philodendron vine, Birds Nest Fern, Olive Tree

The story behind this design and installation:
The old post office in Chicago, built in 1921, had been vacated
by the US Postal Service in favor of a new facility in 1997. Since
then, the structure sat unused. Many plans were considered, in-
cluding demolition, mixed residential/retail, and even a casino.
Developers settled on preserving the architectural history and
converting the 16 million-square-foot structure into commercial
office space. The Pepsico corporation contacted us to submit
our design recommendations in competition with 2 other
interiorscapers. From that presentation, we were selected to be
the interiorscape contractor. All presentations and discussions
were held pre-construction and online. It was clear that the en-
vironment was not going to be conducive to live plantings. The
interiorscape focus was around the amenities area in the center
of the floor plan, away from any natural light. All supplemental
lighting was to be focused on the corporate brand and archi-
tectural accent lighting. The decision was made to use artificial
plant material throughout the amenities area. From that point
forward, we collaborated with the interior designer through a
series of inspiration images and sketches to develop the “Natu-
ral Environment” using artificial plantings.