Case Studies – Decor UK

Sustainability in Building

As we fight to improve our impact on the planet, environmental issues have never been more important. All industries are taking a long hard look at their business models and how they can make improvements in order to lessen their carbon footprint.

The building and construction industry is no exception.

What is a Sustainable Building?

By its very nature, the building and construction industry is a big drain on natural resources.

According to The World Green Building Council, buildings and construction are responsible for 39% of global energy-related carbon emissions.

So, the aim of sustainable building is to carry out activities without depleting natural resources and reducing the industry’s impact on the environment

How Can Construction and Building be Sustainable

So what can the industry do in order to build sustainably:

Explore the refurbishment of existing buildings, reusing/recycling materials.
Carefully deconstruct green buildings once they have come to the end of their use and reuse the materials in further constructions.
Design with sustainability in mind, aiming for longterm energy efficiency and emission reduction.
Make considered choices on the construction of buildings, procuring green and responsibly-sourced materials and taking into consideration their transportation to site.
Ensure buildings are energy-efficient, using less water and creating minimal waste.

Examples of Sustainable Buildings Around the World

Sustainable does not have to be boring. In fact, this is the perfect time for innovative thinking to really come into play. Here are some examples of sustainability that will drop jaws as well as carbon emission.

Bosco Verticale (Milan, Italy)

Fighting air pollution has never looked so awe-inspiringly beautiful.

Opening 2014, the Milan’s Bosco Verticale, or “vertical forest” comprises two 27-storey residential high-rises, planted with almost 900 trees and more than 2,000 shrubs and bushes.

Equipped with solar panels and greywater recycling, this extensive greenery provides residents with shade in the summer and filtered sunlight in the winter. As well as being aesthetically pleasing, the botanical life also provides cleaner air and reduced noise pollution.

Bahrain World Trade Center (Manama, Bahrain)

This unprecedented design, featuring 42-storey wind turbines, has won several awards. Designed by the architect Atkins, it incorporates renewable energy into its large-scale building design.

Nanyang Technological University, School of Art, Design and Media (Nanyang, Singapore)

Completed in July 2006 and officially opening in April 2009, the university is regarded as a sophisticated icon in design.

The spectacular sloped grass roofs of this four-storey building go beyond aesthetic. It not only doubles as a communal space but keeps the environmental temperature low, reducing heat in the day.

The building and construction industry is forever pushing innovative boundaries. Reaching for a way to reconnect with nature may inspire the industry to find a greater appreciation for the environment thus putting sustainability at the forefront of every design.

Case Studies

ViBe Student Living Case Study: Adding a homely feel

ViBe Student Living is an “…ultra-modern, purpose-built and fully interior-designed” student accommodation in Kingston Upon Thames. Being only a short walk from both Kingston University and St Mary’s University, ViBe offers a flexible and vibrant modern accommodation option for students. It has everything: a gym, communal and social areas, a cinema room and private study areas.

ViBe Student Living reached out to Floresy. They wanted to add warmth to their new Kingston site using Floresy’s range of artificial plants. And rightly so. ViBe is a home from home for its residents and its little touches like greenery that add a homely feel. The brief was to work within the main communal areas.

With a property such as ViBe, however, it’s important to add to the existing fresh decor without detracting from the original, well, vibe. Floresy needed to work with the current interior design to come up with a solution that works for this unique accommodation offering and for the client’s budget.

The Process

The process always begins with a conversation. It’s important that we fully understand our client’s needs. Next are site visits where we can gather information on the layout, existing design and start to come up with ideas of how our artificial plants can enhance the space. Once all the information and requirements have been gathered, we produce a proposal:

Existing ViBe Student Living floor plans plus on-site photos help the client visualise our proposal

Throughout the process, we keep a dialogue open with our client as this helps keep everybody on track. It’s also important for the client to feel involved and in control. We discuss each option and make any changes the client wishes. Once the decision is made, its time to produce and install the artificial plants and arrangements.

Residential Case Study for ViBe Student Living

A row of box hedging plays with the outside-inside to create a fun corridor past the notice board.

Residential Case Study for ViBe Student Living Window planting

The plant arrangements add interest to an awkward spot. The planting and grey containers reflect the planting outside on the street.

This architectural feature creates a comfortable, semi-private seating area. Floresy’s trailing artificial plant arrangement helps to soften the pillar as it gives a more homely feel.

ViBe Student Living case study wall hanging artificial plant arrangement

Even the bin area is more glamorous when Florey’s awesome wall hanging flower arrangements are around.

Using our knowledge and expertise we helped our client realise their brief. The resulting communal areas have more warmth, vibrancy and homely feel without detracting from its modern style.

You can read about how we helped one of Sofitel’s luxury hotels solve an unsightly view here.

If you would like Floresy’s help with an installation or design project, please contact us here and we can start the conversation today.

Case Studies

Sofitel Case Study: Solving an unsightly view

Project: Sofitel (5-star, 183 room hotel)

Location: Waterloo, London

Brief:

Replace existing planting but retain the planters
Screen unsightly view of the machine room and piping from bedrooms

Products used:

5x Bespoke low-level box with mixed planting
3x Bespoke hedge with mixed planting
3x Bespoke green wall sizes 150cm and 180cm

At Floresy, we understand the importance of creating the right customer experience for hoteliers. Especially 5-star establishments in central London. The apparently effortless transition by your staff of guests from the lobby to bedrooms to function rooms is mirrored by the same high-standard of decor, cleanliness and amenities in every space in your hotel. However, the reality of running any 24-hour hospitality business is that, behind the scenes, it’s a lot less glamorous.

Sometimes this means substituting an unsightly view from a window with a far more attractive and pleasing alternative.

Our solutions

The brief for this project was two-fold with the first objective being replacing the existing – but tired – artificial planting whilst retaining the planters. As we both design and manufacture artificial plants we are able to create planting solutions for any problem area in a client’s brief. So using planters and containers of the client’s preference was easy. This area is outside one of the hotel’s many function rooms. Restricted access to this awkward space means maintenance would be an issue for real plants.

Our bespoke artificial tree and plant arrangements in the clients existing containers. These displays are uplit for added nighttime atmosphere.

Can you tell the difference? Floresy’s artificial plants are of the highest standard.

Next, objective number two was a larger roof area overlooked by several bedrooms. One of the benefits of using plants as room dividers or screens is they do not completely block the light. And this is an important consideration for any screen solution for a window when detracting from an unsightly view.

Our green walls make great screens and because they are freestanding, they are a perfect solution for this situation. They are easy to install in addition to not blocking all of the natural light coming into a room.

What lies behind: solving the unsightly view.

The result is much better

For other bedrooms overlooking the roof, the use of low-level window boxes as an attractive feature was sufficient in order to maintain the illusion of a swan.

Our bespoke wooden box hedges in situ

Our conclusion

The project is a success with both satisfied customer and supplier. We are looking forward to working with Sofitel again soon.

If you have a similar unsightly sight at your premises, you can read more about how Floresy can help. Alternatively, give us a call on 0208 0770891 to speak to one of our helpful customer managers.

Case Studies

Aneto Case Study: Collaboration with Ink Inch

It is always a pleasure to work with Ink Inch Design Studios. Our latest collaboration with Ink Inch was on refurbishing new premises for cafe venture, Aneto.

Aneto is a cafe, restaurant, and bar located in East Dulwich, London. Its Italian-inspired, health-conscious menu includes a good variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes as well as organic wines and beers. They serve “Breakfast & Brunch, Coffee & Cocktails, Dinner & Drinks”. The premises on the East Dulwich Road was in need of a complete renovation before Aneto could open. A total overhaul of the 150 square meters old pub was required to turn it into a fresh and inviting cafe. The project began in November 2017 and completed in February 2018.

A Kitchen Garden

From the beginning, Ink Inch and Aneto owner, Damiano, knew ‘green’ was going to be an important theme. “We wanted to give a garden vibe to the place, with a lot of green almost everywhere,” says Francesca, designer at Ink Inch. “We already knew the quality of the Floresy plants so we thought that would be a good fit for us.”

Floresy was brought on board as both supplier and plant consultant.

The result is a balmy outdoor feel. The fresh greens in a bright space set against the natural brick walls. Just like being in a sunny kitchen courtyard garden.

The wall panels have been painted white with individual planks of blue in an effective but budget-friendly scheme. The blues repeat in the furniture, most of which has been repainted and restored.

Small plants, simple shelving and bare brick walls.

Fresh Blues

White and tones of blue keep the decor fresh and bright. The painted-white wall panelling has highlights of individual planks in varying shades of blue. This is an effective but budget-friendly scheme. The blues repeat in the repainted and restored furniture. The natural wood elements and punches of green give a grounded and natural vibe to the design. Simple and wholesome. The floor space is maximised by keeping the area uncluttered. The decoration is minimal, capitalising on the wall space to add interest and personality.

Highlights individual planks with differing shades of blue

Eatery Greenery

The bespoke wooden shelving that surrounds the kitchen doors creates a valuable space. The jars filled with ingredients plus Floresy herbs, grasses, and succulents in small pots suggest the cafe’s identity almost as much as the menu. The result is a larder like display that introduces the kitchen area. Fresh and honest ingredients therefore healthy and authentic food. In addition, the variety of plants and of their containers adds texture. It is informal and functional as well as being decorative.

Bespoke wooden shelving door surround kitchen larder

Shelving unit gives identity. This is an eatery with fresh and quality produce.

Ingredients succulents herbs in jars and pots on wooden shelf in cafe

Ingredients and Floresy plants in simple pots. This is an honest and authentic restaurant.

The recessed shelf along the back wall adds height to the room. The up-lit plants invite you deeper into the cafe, past the bar and into the main seating area. Especially as the numerous grasses in small pots are sitting against the brick wall. Are they playing with the perspective and depth of the room?

Commercial coffee shop design artificial plants, collaboration with Ink Inch Design on Aneto Deli

Recessed and uplight shelf unit along the back wall contains Floresy’s

Ready for business

In conclusion, Aneto is a vibrant and inviting space. Its ambience is that of a bustling kitchen and steaming coffee machines. How easy it is to imagine the buzz of family and friends enjoying each other’s company.

Ink Inch is a London-based team of interior and graphic designers. Combing both disciplines creates unity of visual elements. They adopt a simple and holistic approach to their work. All projects are met with “passion, love, and positivity“. We look forward to our next collaboration with Ink Inch.

You can find out more about our artificial flower design services here. Or you can instead read our dedicated sub-page about artificial plants for restaurants.

Case Studies, Seasonal

Case Study: Adding height with a shopping centre display

Floresy is proud to present this arrangement which was on display at Millennium Hall during the summer of 2017. The theme for this brief was Holidays and Powerful Colours.

About Millenium Hall

The Millennium Hall is a shopping centre in Rzesow, Poland with over 1.18 million square feet of floor space. More than 250 clothing retailers occupy the units including global brands such as Lacoste, H&M and Nike. Plus many more restaurants, coffee shops and eateries.

The shopping centre is known for its complex ceiling architecture and was designed by Studio 5 Architects. The main challenge was balancing the acoustics and light in such a large and busy space. The mall is divided into multiple passageways, each with varying ceiling types and heights. The result is high-volume walkways with acoustic comfort and various light sources that add texture and interest. Develop Investment Sp. z o.o. completed construction in July 2011.

Floresy in Full Bloom

Floresy’s concept was to meet the challenge head-on with a riot of summertime colour. Pinks, yellows, purples and oranges flood the central stairway within the mall with joy and humour. The dark green foliage defines the bright colours and helps them stand out within this sunlit space.

The vertical height of the shopping centre display area stretches the full four floors. To fill this impressive space, Floresy suspended the arrangements from the ceiling with cables.

The centrepiece of the display is a shop mannequin. Her inclusion reflects those used in the window displays of the retailers in the mall. Her dress has a long, flowing skirt made from flowers, greenery and tulle fabric. She is adorned with a hot pink garland of flowers around her head. Leaves and foliage decorate the cables that suspend her. The overall effect is fun and impressive. She almost looks as if she is swinging from a trapeze or garden swing!

Accompanying the main figure is eight large flower-wreath balls. Each cable again has more foliage decorating it. The hanging decorations mimic vines and creeping plants spilling down into the stairwell.

The complete shopping centre display uses over 400 flower buds and blooms in both the centrepiece and the eight flower-wreath-balls. The spring and summer flowers are from our collection and include peonies, gypsophila and carnations. The unique design creates a buzz. As the shoppers pass by on their way between floors, the beautiful colours catch their eye. And they are sure to feel a summery sensation.

Floresy Design for Big Spaces

When designing artificial plant schemes for large spaces such as this shopping centre display, it is important to be bold. Bright colours and large eye-catching designs will have a greater effect than something more subtle. Designing solutions for spaces like a shopping centre make it necessary to also consider the practical use of the space. And so when done properly, any communal area, such as this staircase, or other areas with a high foot-fall can be included in a design.

Using real flowers in a display such as this would result in a product that was impossible to maintain. Because of our extensive range of artificial flowers and plants, Floresy has the right solution for large-scale displays. Furthermore, our expert planning services mean we can design a display to meet with our customer’s visions.

If you’re thinking of having your space decorated with artificial flowers, you’ve come to the right place! Get in touch to discuss your project as we’re always happy to advise.