A welcoming place to enjoy lunch, catch up or come together for a meeting. That was Wibra’s vision for the communal space at its head office in Epe. With a combination of living plants, artificial greenery and bespoke planters, we brought warmth and a sense of privacy to the open space.

The challenge

The communal space is large, with a high glass ceiling and plenty of hard surfaces, making acoustics a key consideration. It also lacked sheltered seating areas: the seats were in full view of the surrounding spaces.

Wibra wanted to make the space more inviting for everyday use. A place where employees would enjoy having lunch, holding informal meetings or gathering for drinks. The planting needed to create a cohesive feel and a greater sense of privacy while preserving the open character of the space.

The plan

Together with Wibra, we developed the initial ideas into a planting scheme. Lush, varied planting forms the foundation. Tall plants around the seating areas create shelter without closing off the space.

The bespoke planters were finished in the same anthracite shade as the window frames. This understated backdrop allows the greenery to stand out and complements the distinctive furniture by Multi Ratio. Repeating the same plant combinations throughout connects the lunch area with the adjoining social space.

The installation

The planters feature a rich mix of living plants. In parts of the canteen with insufficient daylight, we installed supplementary grow lights, allowing us to include living greenery in these areas too.

Along the high walls, we opted for artificial planting. This allowed us to tailor the design around the ventilation grilles and offers a practical, low-maintenance solution at this height.

A large artificial tree is a striking feature of the scheme. Its canopy was carefully shaped to fit the corner where it stands. This makes the most of the room’s height while keeping the Wibra logo and presentation screen clearly visible.

The result

The communal space feels greener, warmer and more sheltered. Colleagues can sit among the plants while remaining connected to the rest of the space.

Feedback from employees shows that they use the space more often and appreciate the sense of privacy. The positive response has also led to a follow-up request: to help plan the planting throughout the rest of the building. A lovely next step for a place where people already enjoy coming together.

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