Gold Leaf Award Winner 2025

Mitie Landscape

A large-scale biophilic project creating a healthier, more inspiring workplace for 3,000 staff members.

In September 2024, Mitie Landscape was approached by Mitie FM Ltd to survey the new Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) head office in Blackpool. At that stage, very little was known about the requirements, but upon visiting the site, it quickly became clear that this would be one of Mitie Landscape’s largest and most ambitious interior planting projects to date.

The £100 million purpose-built, eco-friendly office complex in Talbot Green represents a major government investment in sustainable workplaces. Designed to accommodate around 3,000 staff, the seven-storey building—each floor divided into two wings—called for a biophilic design approach that would promote health, wellbeing, and productivity through natural elements.

Following the initial survey, Mitie Landscape’s quotation was approved for the installation of 930 interior plant displays throughout the building. The displays were mainly cabinet-top and joinery-top arrangements, with an average of six plants per display, adding up to an impressive total of 6,200 plants.

Over a three-week period, Mitie coordinated a major logistical operation. Supplier Koberg delivered all plants directly to site along with 950 bags of Vulcaponic substrate, while the installation team worked tirelessly to move materials to the appropriate floors and assemble the displays.

Each of the seven floors was designed with its own plant mix to create variety while maintaining visual harmony across the building. Species included Aglaonema, Scindapsus, Philodendron, Sansevieria, Dracaena, Zamioculcas, Monstera, and Asplenium, selected for their resilience, texture, and aesthetic appeal. The displays combined lush foliage and structured forms to provide natural privacy screening, visual interest, and improve staff wellbeing.

Despite challenges—including tight timescales, complex site logistics, and coordination with multiple contractors—the project was completed efficiently and to the highest standard. Mitie Landscape’s team professionalism and teamwork ensured that every detail—from placement to plant health—was meticulously managed. The end result transformed the office environment into a thriving, plant-filled workspace that met the client’s aspirations for a sustainable, people-centred design.

The client was delighted with the results and subsequently awarded Mitie Landscape the ongoing maintenance contract for all interior planting. The success of the project has also enabled Mitie Landscape to expand its North West operations, creating new employment opportunities within the region.

This project stands out not only for its sheer scale but also for its contribution to sustainable workplace design—proving that large-scale interior landscaping can deliver both aesthetic impact and meaningful wellbeing benefits

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