dissertation (interior landscape in office buildings) by najeebullah rasuli

INTERIOR LANDSCAPE IN OFFICE BUILDINGS

1

Guide -Ar. Bananni Banarjee.

Ar. Priya Chitale.

Najeebullah Rasuli

4th Yr. B. Arch

S. C. O. A. 10-11

Submitted By -

2

Roll No - 23

INTERIOR LANDSCAPE IN OFFICE BUILDINGS

DISSERTATION

Interior Landscape in office

buildings

Abstract

Indoor living plants can enhance the atmosphere and image of both public and private spaces. From corporate lobbies to individual offices, Living plants bring forth the freshness of outdoors, boosting morale and productivity of employees and visitors alike in a commercial or any other type of building. Living Plants have practical benefits in the workplace such as indoor contaminants from seemingly benign sources such as furniture, drapes, insulation and carpets can cause a variety of complaints like respiratory irritation, dizziness, headaches, skin rashes, nausea and vomiting thus, by placing green plants we can filter the air.From other side plants are Toxin absorption by reducing the level of harmful chemicals such as trichloroethylene (TCE), benzene and formaldehyde which are ingredient in painting inks, prints, lacquers, varnishes and adhesives and from psychological point of view plants reduce physical and mental stress, cause us to relax and improve our health. Green is a color of peace and serenity.

Interior landscape is enhancing the indoor environment by making it more aesthetically pleasing and perceptually stimulating. Plants not only provide natural health enhancing benefits but play an important role in projecting a quality for the specific building.The design and installation of green plants in an indoor environment needs experience to bring the real natural world inside and to make our dreams into reality. After a successful design and installation, plant care and maintenance, watering, growth and fertilization, pruning and trimming, insects and disease control, etc. are important issues to be considered.

3


buildings

INDEX

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Aims and Objectives1.2 Scope

2 METHODOLOGY

1.3 Selection of type ( Natural plant)

2.1 To Study Interior Landscape ( Plant type, Design, Aesthetics, Maintenance, light, colour, texture, and Impact on Human Health) in office building.

3 INTERIOR LANDSCAPE

4 TYPES OF INTERIOR LANDSCAPE

5 INTERIOR LANDSCAPE WITH LIVING PLANTS 5.1 Type of Living Plants5.2 Cost for the project5.3 Delivery to the specified building

6 INTERIOR LANDSCAPE WITH ARTIFICIAL PLANTS

6.1 Type of Artificial Plants6.2 Cost 6.3 Delivery

3.1 Introduction of Interior Landscape and its benefits in a building

4.1 Interior Landscape with Living Plants

4.2 Interior Landscape with Artificial Plants which is only for decorations

5.4 Design and Installation 5.5 A complete Plant care and control Program 5.6 Decorative containers 5.7 Maintenance 5.8 Plant Guarantee – free plant replacement

6.4 Design and Installation6.5 Maintenance 6.6 Care and Control

4


buildings

7 ANALYSIS 7.1 Advantages and disadvantages of Interior Landscape with Living Plants7.2 Plants and their effects on Human Health

8 CONCLUSION

9 REFERENCE

7.3 Office plan and percentage of Landscape

5


buildings

1 INTRODUCTION (what is interior landscape?) Since we are constructing buildings such as offices, banks, shopping malls, hospitals, etc. for our use and work in, we have always tried to speed up work in our office environment however from another aspect as technology is progressing everyday with its advantages and disadvantages effected human’s life in working environments. Thus, to reduce these disadvantages such as stresses and toxic gases which are created during work there can be a better solution to provide interior landscape within buildings to bring the beautiful natural landscape inside and to increase work efficiency and to strengthen the quality of work.

1.1 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To understand the effects of interior landscape on human’s health, work efficiency, quality and image of work.

1.2 Scope The scope of the study is limited to interior landscape with natural plants inside a office building and their effects on human’s health.

The study is based on the need of interior landscape in office building through design process, type of species for, installation, and maintenance, etc. which can be summarized by different case studies

showing its impacts.

This study will be limited to two types of interior landscape and both will focus on their impact on the type of building.• Interior Landscape with Natural Living Plants in office building (preferred) • Interior Landscape with Artificial Plants only for decoration purpose

1.3 Selection And Type of Interior Landscape in office building

As mentioned above both types of interior landscapes, we consider interior landscape with natural living plants according to type of species which is suitable to a specific weather and conditions.If we choose interior plant scaping with artificial plants then there is no use and benefits for the employees and their work.Thus, the only landscaping which can enhance the office environment and put effects on the employees and their work productivity is natural plants which we can use them for offices, and other commercial building.The reason that we choose natural plants in an indoor is clearly visible for today’s work productivity.And artificial plants can be used for decoration purpose not for other purposes.

6


buildings

2 METHODOLOGY

To Study about type of species which are growing in a specific weather of a region and change in living life of a plant due to change of weather.

To study about design, plants delivery, cost, plant installation, aesthetic, texture, lighting and impact on human’s health.

It involves understanding interior landscape through books, internet and various articles published.

It involves brief study of interior landscape and elaborate understanding of chosen interior landscape in office building with respect to the plant’s time line.

INTRODUCTION

Architectural design at all times has had to consider with the available technology, materials and processes. The realization of innovative structures is closely dependent on a whole range of factors such as the progress of material science in understanding the behavior of structural systems, serviceability of constructions, methods etc. There is a need for development of use of new construction materials, which will require neither complicated production machinery nor expensive transportation methods & which will act as viable substitutes for conventional components & whose results could be seen dramatically in the structural forms. The critical analysis of materials would help us to have multiple choices for the use of materials and techniques. This would also help to

have multiple characters in the

building according to the availability and sustainability of those materials. Interior landscaping is the practice of designing, arranging, and caring for living plants in enclosed environments. Planterra calls this 'interior landscaping' even though land is not literally being reshaped. 'Interior landscaping' is an appropriate term because indoor environments contain plains, angles, and horizons that are softened, accentuated or altered by the addition of plants and planters-thus landscaping the interior. Similar to outdoor landscapes, interior landscapes provide spaces with ornament, color, sculptural elements, focal points, and an overall pleasant environment.

Interior landscapes have an integral role in green building design. University research has proven that plants improve indoor air quality, increase worker productivity, boost morale and provide a sense of tranquility.

Plants can contribute to a buildings ranking from US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. Depending on level of certification, LEED buildings tend to use less energy, less water, have more natural light, are built from environmentally friendly materials and are more comfortable to work in. Plants and interior landscapes can contribute to LEED certification points in the following categories: Innovation in design, indoor air quality, indoor chemical and pollutant source control, and water efficiency.

7


buildings

BENEFITS OF NATURAL PLANTS IN THE WORKPLACES

Soften cold concrete and Asphalt AreasIndentify and beautify a building ImageProvide a warm welcome to customers in case of landscape at entranceCreate the right first impressionClean the Air of harmful Toxins and creating fresh air.Reduces stresses from employees in a workplace.Increases work efficiency.Reduces tiredness and getting bored of work in a workplaces.Provides a colorful environment.Provides easy feelings between man and nature.Helps in solving the difficulties of work through interior landscape.Understanding the nature of the work and its easiness through interior landscape.

COMPANIES DEALING WITH INTERIOR LANDSCAPING

1. Interior Plant Scapes2. Sidewalk Scapes Plants ( for Bank

drive- through, shopping centers, offices,

3. Outdoor and indoor dinning areas etc.)

4. Event Plant Scapes ( for Events only)

5. Interiorscapes ( deals with interior landscape of commercial buildings)

6. Plant scape (interior landscape of shopping malls and office buildings)

PROGRAM

Design consultation.Estimation of Cost for interior landscaping.Delivery of plants and materials as per design.Hiring landscaping professionals.Proper installation of plants with respect to their height .Plants watering( hand watering and channel watering). Plant’s growth and fertilization.Pruning and trimming of plants.Plant’s disease and insect control.Landscape cleaning.Timely live plants replacements.Plant guarantee and company ‘s maintenance services.

8


buildings

INTERIOR LANDSCAPE IN OFFICES: Offices having interior landscaped resulted better than offices which work without plants for their workplaces. Therefore, to increase in better work and maintain this phenomena and to save energy for employees who are working in an enclosed space especially in an air tight room, interior plants play an important role in this conditions.NEED FOR INTERIOR LANDSCAPE IN OFFICES: As we work everyday in offices,

hospitals, multiplexes, and malls being in the same place makes us bore and tired as the plants grow we will realize change in the environment and human conditions. On the other hand the look which interior landscape creates for the offices is better than a office environment without having plants and even employees can feel a eternal counterparts with themselves.

Though the plants create hundreds of thousands of benefits for human health, only some of them are discovered out of these. Plants can improve the work efficiency of staffs and they can improve the office aesthetic and give life to other elements in the office environment. They can bring the feels of outside to inside while employees are working. It doesn’t mean that plants are only useful when they are outside by creating fresh air and green natural and open space for human. The original needs of plants are in offices where we need fresh air and green space which is scare in such areas. Finally why we as a human being shouldn’t have all the

benefits of plan in our offices environment to improve our work efficiency, communication, and work skill.

HOW INTERIOR LANDSCAPE EFFECTS TO OFFICESENVIRONMENT:Interior plants need carbon dioxide to live and to grow which is available in offices enclosed rooms during day and during night when employees are back home interior plants do the opposite. The sources which and who are creating carbon dioxide for plants are humans and furnitures. Inside offices a lot of toxin gases are created by wall varnishes and furnitures which are harmful for human’s health and plants eliminates such a gases and creating a comfortable and peaceful environment for employees.USE OF INTERIOR LANDSCAPE IN EARLIER PERIOD AND ITS TRENDS TO RECENT SCENARIO:

In earlier periods people they weren’t aware of plant’s benefits in an enclosed room they were using plants in all outdoor areas to make an area pleasing and aesthetically look amazing but after some time they realized that we can have some plants in our homes, workplaces etc. then plants came to an indoor area by means of only creating an interesting scene. In earlier period less plants were kept in offices and even that was a small plant in a planting medium. But today everyone realized the benefits of indoor plants and many companies are established and many landscape architects and plant scaping experts are become ready to accommodate plants and design a proper planting system for offices and other commercial buildings

9


buildings

Areca Palm: 6'-7' Ficus Benjamina: 6'

Eugenia Topiary: 5'-6' Ficus Alli: 5'-6'

Kimberly Queen Fern: 2'

Variegated Schefflera: 2' Philodendron Xanadu: 2'

Croton: 2'

NATURAL PLANT TYPES

NATURAL PLANT TYPES FOR INTERIOR LANDSCAPING

10


buildings

Air Filters

Indoor contaminants from seemingly benign sources such as furniture, drapes, insulation and carpets can cause a variety of complaints such as respiratory irritation, dizziness, headaches, skin rashes, nausea and vomiting.

The good news is that an attractive low cost solution does exist. Research conducted by the NASA shows we can remedy the situation by placing living green plants throughout the building to filter the air.

Sick Building Syndrome

The switch from open windows to energy efficient working environments and the advent of modern building methodology and products the result has been work places that contain known amount of cancer causing chemicals.

The ability of living plants to filter the air in the areas that we work can help the problems labeled as 'sick building syndrome.' Plants effectively reduce the levels of a number of noxious gases found in almost every Bank or office building.

Toxin Absorption

Various plants have been found to be effective in reducing the level of harmful chemicals such as trichloroethylene (TCE), benzene and formaldehyde.TCE is used in metal degreasing and dry cleaning industries and is an ingredient in painting inks, prints, lacquers, varnishes and adhesives. TCE is a potent carcinogenic.

Benzene is one of the most common chemicals found in everyday use including inks, oils, paints, plastics and rubber. An additive in detergents, pharmaceuticals and dyes it is known as a skin and eye irritant.

Exposure to benzene has been blamed for dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, headaches.

Some respiratory diseases, physical weakness, euphoria, tremors, irregular heartbeat and liver and kidney damage are also linked to Benzene.

11


buildings

Psychological

We are constantly bombarded with noise, movement and visual complexity. Separately and together they can overwhelm our senses.

Because of their simplicity plants reduce physical and mental stress, cause us to relax and improve our health. Green is a colour of peace and serenity.

In planted offices, employees are more content and comfortable, morale is higher and there is reduced absenteeism. Creativity is enhanced and productivity increased. Standards of dress improve.

Bank landscaping can provide substantial benefits to your business.

Enhancing The Environment

People are becoming more and more aware of their surroundings and the importance of preserving and improving our environment.

Interior landscaping improves the personal environment by making our work areas and buildings more aesthetically pleasing and perceptually stimulating.

Plants provide warmth and colour and offer living art thus offering an inexpensive interior decorating alternative.

Image

In the 21st century organizations are increasingly aware of their company image which includes their building interior and exteriors.

After all this is often the first impression that customers and visitors have of your organization.

Plants not only provide natural health enhancing benefits but play an important part in projecting a quality company image.

Landscaping is therefore becoming an integral part of business facilities in an increasingly image conscious business environment.

12


buildings

INDOOR PLANT CARE AND QUALITY CONTROL

The image of the office building which projects is as important issue. And it can be assured with some of the most qualified people in the business. Regular live plant service should be performed for the bank interior landscaping by professional technicians that are attentive to your needs as well as the plants. They won't interfere with your daily business needs and will always leave you a written service slip stating what they accomplished during their visit.

Horticultural Technicians

Plant Watering Levels Humidity, temperature, light, heating and air systems, plant container sizes, and other variables all influence the amount of water needed by each plant. Plants are consistently checked to insure both correct watering levels and moisture levels.

Plant Growth and Fertilizing A great deal of plant growth is usually not desirable. Therefore, plants should be fertilized on a regular schedule at fairly low levers - just enough to keep your plants green and healthy.

Pruning and Trimming Your Office PlantsTropical plants continually shed old leaves and grow new ones. yellow leaves disturbs the view and should be removed and as well as trim browning tips. Occasionally the plants will require selected pruning of branches and stems to keep your plants looking sculpted and trimmed.

From Design to Installation For interior landscape of an office building we need landscape architects to design a theme and the design should be in such a way that the Plants could fill voids, terminate or create frame views, create visual screen, create space, while designing architect should consider plant’s scale, texture and color. When design gets over it is the time for professional installation team to fix properly each and every plants to their specified places. Installation process should be carried out carefully through the process not to damage the plants.

13


buildings

Timely Live Plant Replacements As part of the comprehensive care for the plants, a serious prompt replacement of unacceptable plants should be provided for the old plants with the newer one. though the goal is esthetic continuity, so landscaping plantings will maintain a uniform, attractive appearance.

Landscape Cleaning Plants gather dust, and plant containers often collect assorted debris. Periodically the plants leaves are cleaned so they will always look their best, absorb the available light, resist insect problems, and stay healthy. Debris in plant containers should be removed too before getting any cause.

Plant Insects and Disease Control Foliage plants are fair game to a wide variety of insect and disease problems. Some, like spider mites, are microscopic and airborne, making detection difficult. The solution for control is Horticultural Technicians who are trained to recognize the early signs of these problems during their weekly visits, and when insects or disease appears, they will promptly take safe corrective actions.

14


buildings

EMERGENCIESIn case if our office’s interior landscaping is designed by some interior landscaping companies then for any difficulties may be in the installation or maintenance or life of a plant we get problem we can call the related company for fixing and other work which depends on them. And sometimes they provide a timetable for the proper curing and controlling which and every week or every month they visit to site and if there is any problem then they are going to fix it and sometimes even before any problems come into action they recognize that and they prevent it from being happening and damaging the plant or may be landscaped site.They do the proper cure for the plants and they take care of every thing.

1. Light2. Temperature, Humidity, and Air Quality3. Water4. Planting Medium5. Space/ Volume6. Weight of Plants7. Acclimatization8. Maintenance

Light Growing plants convert radiant energy

(from daylight or electric light sources) into food. Plants use radiant energy of wave lengths in the 400 to 850 nanometer (nm) range. White light, the visible part of the radiant energy spectrum, consists of wave lengths in the 430 to 700 nm range. Light for plant growth is typically described in terns of intensity, duration, and quality.

Intensity: the intensity of light or sunlight which the interior plants receive shouldn’t be more or less it should be to the plants requirement.

Duration: the average photoperiod for plants is 8 to 12 hours of darkness and 12 to 16 hours of light. If only minimum light intensity is provided, optimum light duration must be provided.

Quality: Light quality refers to the type of radiant energy available to plants. Natural light, which contains the entire spectrum of visible plus ultraviolet and infrared wavelength, is ideal for plants growth.

Temperature, Humidity, and Air Quality

Plants requirements for air typically refer to temperature, relative humidity, and air quality.

Temperature: Most plants prefer a stable range of temperatures, with a drop of no more than 5°C (10°F) from daytime to night time temperature.


buildings

ELEMENTS OF INTERIOR LANDSCAPE

Natural light for Plants

Temperature range of plants

15


buildings

Relative Humidity: Plants prefer a relative humidity of 35 to 50 percent but for tropical plants 60 to 90 percent relative humidity should be provided. If the humidity is below or higher than 30 percent then plants require greater amount of water. Air Quality: plants require carbon dioxide to complete photosynthesis.

WaterThe amount of water needed by

indoor plants dependson a variety of factors: seasonal fluctuations governing

the duration of daylight and angle of the sun.

the size, shape and orientation of windows.

the size and amount of a plant’s foliage.

the volume, composition, and porosity of the planting medium.

the temperature and humidity of the interior space.

and the general health of the plant.

Planting MediumThe planting medium, which may or

may not contain any soil, must accomplish three functions:

1. Allow water and nutrients to reach the plant through the roots

2. Allow oxygen to reach the roots3. Anchor and give stability to the

plants

A planting medium should be:

4. Porous5. Easy to drain6. Capable of retaining water7. Sterile8. Low in soluble salts9. Light 10.Good quality material11. Eye catching and sometimes shiny12.Having suitable size for the plants

rout13.Long time durability for water14.Proper shape for the aesthetic

purpose

Space/ Volume

It is important to know both the existing and potential height, breadth, and character of each type of plant in order to minimize interference not only between plants but also with such architecture features as columns, bulkheads, stairs, and low ceilings. With large species of plants, this need for adequate room becomes critical. It is preferable to specify plant materials whose natural shape can be maintained either by slow growth without pruning, or by standard pruning practices. Upper story plants specified for two story or tall one story spaces should now exceed 2/3 the height of the space when they are planted. Tall specimens leave too little room for growth and may block too much incoming light to their own innerfoliage or to understory plants beneath them. Palms or other species which cannot be pruned should always be given adequate vertical space above them for future growth.

Height and spread of large materials

16


buildings

Plants will transpire rapidly in conditions of high light and/ or high temperature and/ or low humidity, requiring more frequent watering. One of the most important reasons for regular maintenance is to monitor each plant’s special need for water. Unsoftened water at a temperature between 15 deg. And 25 deg. Should be used. Plants may be grouped according to their water requirements in order to simplify maintenance. Some plants require their root balls dry out to an extent, while others require roots to remain moist or even wet most of the time.

Acclimatization

Plants being from the ideal light conditions of a shade house, greenhouse or nursery into a building interior must slowly be acclimatized to the lower light conditions. Without this period of adjustment, most plants will go into shock, stop growing, become weakened, and possibly die. The length of time required to acclimatize a plant depends on the species, the degree of change in light intensity, and the size of the plant. Large trees (3000mm or larger) should be allowed at least 3 to 6 months during the growing season to acclimate, and small material (600mm or less) at least 6 to 10 weeks. During this time, the amount of light should be gradually reduced to half of the original amount or less if needed.

Maintenance

The main purpose of the plant maintenance is to meet all the physical requirements of the plants on a continual basis. Specific maintenance tasks include the supplying of water and fertilizer, the control of insects on an as-needed basis, and pruning. The quality of maintenance will often be the primary factor in determining the actual versus potential life of the plants.

TECHNIQUES TO MEETPHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Light can be provided either from daylight or electric light . Daylight is preferable because it provides a greater spectrum of the radiant energy needed by most plants, and is generally provided more diffusely than electric light . Diffused light is preferable to light from a point source because it allows better light penetration to the inner foliage of a specimen, as well as better light penetration through upper story specimens into the plants below. However, where daylight is insufficient in quantity or duration (due to the season or the time of day), electriclight is often an essential supplementarysource, or the sole source, of light for plant growth.Daylight refers to the sum of direct sunlight, reflected sunlight, and (on overcast days) skylight . Daylight can be admitted into interior landscapes through windows, clerestories, or skylights .Skylights have the advantage of encouraging plants to grow upward toward the light.

17


buildings

Weight of Plants

The weight of the plants and their planting medium is an important consideration when they are part of the load calculations for a structural slab or an upper floor planter. The weight of a plant will depend upon its age (caliper), height, crown size, foliage type and density. And planting medium volume and density. The weight of the planting medium varies according to both the material used and the amount of water it contains. A lightweight soil mix is given to the site. Roof and deck landscapes, and other qualities of the planting medium are covered.In case if we are providing plants for the balconies or terraces then we have to consider the weight of the plants.Weight of the plants for the structural engineers who designs interior landscaping is playing an important role to design it properly.

Researches for Interior Landscaping

1. Indoor Plants Increase Worker Productivity WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY, Dr. Virginia Lohr Pullman, Washington --- A study conducted by the College of Agriculture at Washington State University (WSU) shows that live interior plants increase employee productivity and reduce stress.The study, published in the "Journal of Environmental Horticulture," reports that productivity increased 12 percent when people performed tasks on a computer with plants, compared people who performed the same task in a room without plants.Productivity was measured by the response time. Professor Virginia Lohr, Ph.D of WSU said, "there was no difference in the number of errors. The big difference was the reaction time, how quickly they pressed the correct key when the plants were present.""Plants are not just fluff," says Dr. Lohr. "We have felt, and many people who work with plants intuitively believe, that having plants around is vital to our well-being."

2. Indoor Plants Clean the Air NASA STUDY, Dr. B.C. Wolverton

Washington D.C.-- NASA tests reveal that living green and flowering plants clean pollutants in the air. According NASA scientist, Dr. BC Wolverton, indoor plants are the most efficient and cost effective means of removing air pollution. Wolverton recommends that "two plants per 100 square feet or two

plants per a small office keep the air pure and healthy." A 1989 EPA Report to Congress concluded that improved indoor air quality can result in higher productivity and fewer lost workdays. The EPA estimates that poor indoor air may cost the United States tens of billions of dollars each year in lost productivity and medical care.

3. Plants Create a Consumer Habitat WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, Dr. Kathleen L. Wolf

Dr. Wolf studied the psychological impact of plants in shopping environments. Her report concludes that "the urban forest" is an "essential component" of any viable retail space.

4. Health Benefits of Gardens in Hospitals TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY, Dr. Roger S. Ulrich

Prompted by soaring hospital construction cost, the College of Architecture and Medicine at Texas A&M University conducted a joint study on the influences of plants in hospitals and healthcare facilities. The study found that the presence of plants in hospitals improves client and staff satisfaction. Dr. Ulrich discovered that simply viewing nature and green garden scenes can relive stress in 5 minutes or less.

18


buildings

BOOK CASE STUDIES: 1. POWERLINK QUEENSLAND EDISON BUILDING A Connected viable and Liveable building

Architect: Dennis Beitz, Director of BAC Group Architects.

Location: Brisbane, AustraliaType of building: Electric Power

Headquarter with landscaped inside.

Summary of Building:

Complete in 1997 from an asbestos cement clad steel frames material.

Previously constructed for Queensland rail in 1955 in an oil contaminated site and it was recycled into a state of art office building for Powerlink Queensland.

From November 2008 the facility will be in continual operation for 11 years.

Powerlink has experienced increase workplace productivity through innovative design and implementation, and uplifting cultural change and behavior in the workplace

as a direct result of the environment created in this building.

The visionary working environment brings people and plants together in a symbiotic relationship of calm office and rainforest greenery. Central to the office is an 850 Sq.m landscaped atrium surrounded by 2 levels of open plan office space.

In this building selected species of plants are used to clean the air and remove contaminates and generates positive ions into the building environment. The extensive water features and plants are an integral part of the air conditioning system, as all return air is directed via the rainforest for cleaning, and humidity control during its cycle.

(A) (B)

Wide verandahs (A) in 1997 (B) in 2008.

19


buildings

Central Water body maintain the temperature andhumidity

Sky light is provided above the atrium for trees and other species

An open offices are design to have the total view and benefits of the inside landscape in the atrium

Informal meeting areas are scattered around the office and atrium areas

Central Landscaped Atrium

Above the Atriumsky lightis provided

Direct view to Landscaped Atrium

20


buildings

2. INFINITE CAMPUS - CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS Building for the FutureArchitect: Finn - Daniels ArchitectsLocation: Blaine, Minnesota, USAType of building: computer software

company Summary of Building:

Infinite Campus needed a new corporate headquarters facility to consolidate its expanding business into one location.

The new 100,000 square foot building has two wings with a central series of planters totaling 24'x 160' in each wing. Two entirely different landscape themes were designed for either side of the building.

'North Woods' landscape theme wing, terminating at the climbing wall which was installed by the owner, and an 'Oriental Garden' landscape theme wing complete with a 50' x 20' Koi pond.

Because of the limited light and

the necessity for large trees to

help reduce the scale of the building, gathering spaces were created for informal conferences and they provided visual impact.

Mahogany, Peace Lily, Glauca, Pothos, Lirope Grass and Bromeliads were the live tropical plants in the planting areas. All planting areas have soil for ground cover. Bark nuggets complete the North Woods theme.

A dry stream bed consisting of Mexican beach pebbles 'flowing' through the Oriental Garden ends in the Koi pond.

Glauca, Peace Lily, Chinese Evergreen, Zee Zee, Pothos, Lirope Grass, Sanseveria and Bromeliads were the live indoor tropical plants used throughout the planting islands.

North Woods Landscape Theme Climbing Wall in North Woods

21


buildings

Infinite Campus, Corporate Headquarter Interior Landscape

Living shrubs are planted around Koi pond

Staircases are leading to first floor have open view to central

landscape area

sky light is provided for plants to have natural light source

informal gathering spaces were createdaround the central landscape area

sometimes informal conference will be held also Both the wings have different

landscape design

Variety of colors can be seen in design of central landscape area

22


buildings

LIVE CASE STUDY: 3. CORPORATE OFFICE FOR INDIA GLYCOLS, NOIDA Architect: Ar. Manit Rastogi, Morphogenesis, DelhiLocation: New Delhi, IndiaType of building: corporate officeBuilt-up-area: 3,91,700 sq.ftYear of completion: 2009Climate: Composite

Summary of Building:

The office design for the corporate office for India Glycols embodies the issues concerning the workplace today, and explores the paradigm of the office space as a social activity.

Conceived as a solid perimeter scheme with a more fluid interior, the morphology blurs the interface between the inside and outside. The underlying principle was that ‘The work place should manifest itself as a more flexible and integral part of an employee’s life rather than a separate entity of specified hours of confinement. Rhythmic articulation of volumes and spaces generates a scheme that is a radical departure from the structured differentiated spaces of the traditional office and the monotony of the open plan halls that have dominated office planning.

Sited in a non-contextual suburban area of Delhi, the setting, led to the development of an introverted scheme that would address environmental and socio-economic issues from first principles.

Ground floor consists of a gymnasium, multi-purpose hall and the allied recreation activity areas.In accordance to these recreational areas, rain-water harvesting bodies are planned centrally.Series of trees are planted in the pits.Rain water is used for the irrigation purpose of plantation.

Ground Floor Plan

Section thro. water body23


buildings

First floor consists of office space and conference hall. These spaces opens in the courtyards having plantations and water body. the plantations are planned in accordance with the working staff. The principle of the work place is “ the work place should manifest itself as a more flexible and integral part of an employee’s life rather than a separate entity of specified hours of commitment.”

First Floor Plan

Longitudinal Section

Second Floor PlanSection

Second floor also consists of office space and conference spaces, which faces the plantations and water bodies.The entire building is naturally insulated by roof garden and plantations.

Roof Garden

24


buildings

ANALYSIS/ OBSERVATIONS :

ADVANTAGES OF INTERIOR LANDSCAPE:

• In every office building the ratio between interior landscape and office environment is constant. Thus to have a sufficient clean environment for employees we need to design a proper interior landscape with sufficient Number of plants.

• Open air conferences can be brought into landscaped area of the office building to have a pleasant conference area.

• Views from office rooms towards interior landscape should not be blocked by large trees which itself creates problem in light and cross ventilation.

• Watering should be everyday and sufficient not to create humidity due to more absorption of water by soil.

• Maintenance should be carried out for better care and control.

• Sometimes staircases can be leaded from landscaped area in ground floor to reach to first floor.

• Need for interior landscape is must for every office building to produce a better productivity.

DISADVANTAGES OF INTERIOR LANDSCAPE:

Carrying plants from outdoor to indoor needs proper care, control, and treatments.

Time taking process for installation.

Cost effective Proper maintenance from day one

to last days.

PLANTS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON

HUMAN HEALTH:

As plants are beneficial in outdoor areas from creating fresh air and pleasant view it can be brought to indoor areas to have same aspects while we are working and to feel the ease of work. Thus, plants creates a healthy environment for human.

OFFICE PLAN AND PERCENTAGE OF LANDSCAPE:

If one fifth of an office plan is considered as atrium or open space for the entire staff and employees then it can be landscaped properly for the betterment of work,Image, and productivity.Sometimes it can be gathered for a small talk between employees or staffs in this landscaped part.This small landscaped part creates multiple usage and benefits for all.In compare to the office plan the area which we use for plant scaping is less but this less area creates and gives us a huge comfort and peace while we are working in an enclose room thus creating one fifth of office plan never gives us that much benefits to the work and employees as the other parts never do. and the amount

of plants which we use for the interior landscape of an office should be in proportion to the other parts. If it is less then it isn’t creating proper and desired amount of benefits and on the other hand if it is more than it also disturbs the entire environment. So we can gain that it should be proper and in proportion to other parts.

25


buildings

CONCLUSION:

By growth of business and commercial buildings in the world the number of workplaces in offices have increased thus, need for more employees came into consideration for better efficiency of the work. When IT industries creating more jobs for employees they have to think about their health as well, here Interior landscape is the most important factor which can guarantee their health. Having a huge paved atrium never can be better than a landscaped atrium which through that hundreds of thousands of benefits can be brought into existence.

Nowadays if we have fresh air and environment outside of our workplace why we don’t have it inside, beside our work to feel that we are working in a naturally open landscaped space. By bringing the outdoor landscape inside an office building we are creating relationship between man, nature and work.

Therefore, interior landscape plays an important role in today’s workplaces which insures freely employee’s health. Which increases work productivity and efficiency and give better result for the company.

26


buildings

References:

9.1 Case Studies…POWERLINK QUEENSLAND EDISON BUILDINGBy Dennis Beitz, Director of BAC Group Architects.INFINITE CAMPUS - CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS by Finn - Daniels ArchitectsCORPORATE OFFICE FOR INDIA GLYCOLS, NOIDA by Ar. Manit Rastogi, Morphogenesis, Delhi

9.2 Identified books / WebsitesInteriorscapes (Gardens within Buildings) By Paul CooperTime Saver Standards (For Landscape Architecture; Design and Construction Data) By Charles W. Harris And Nicholas T. DinesInterior Landscape (An American Design Portfolio of Green Environments) By Nelson R. Hammer, ASLAwww.gpplantscape.comwww.plantscapeinc.comwww.interiorplantscapesllc.comwww.ipsplants.comwww.planterra.comwww.plants-in-buildings.com

9.3 Interviews1. Architectural Firms dealing with Interior Landscape2. Ar. Kalpana Hadap3. Landscape Ar. Nampurkar

27


buildings