Nine-Level Fitout for Aurizon – One of Our Most Ambitious Installations Yet
Background & Challenge
Aurizon is Australia’s largest rail freight operator and a major force in national infrastructure, transporting over 250 million tonnes of freight annually. When it came time to fit out their new nine-level headquarters in Fortitude Valley, the brief was clear: create a cohesive, premium green space that reflects their brand values of sustainability, innovation and professionalism.
But this wasn’t a straightforward install. The site was complex, with custom joinery, built-in planter units, hot-desk integrations and mounted joineries installed along the outer edges of each floor’s internal balcony, allowing greenery to cascade visibly down multiple levels. Access and servicing logistics were equally challenging, involving on-site and off-site modifications. Several areas required harnesses, fall protection and working-at-heights certification, and some planter joineries had to be appropriately adjusted to accommodate the plant selections.
Westpac and project managers MPA brought us on board to introduce plant life throughout the building as part of a wider refurbishment. The goal was to support the building’s environmental credentials, bring natural elements into the space, and create a healthier, more welcoming workplace. We worked across multiple levels to deliver a design that aligned with the building’s architecture and interior finishes while contributing to Green Star points for indoor environmental quality.
Our Solution
Months of planning went into making this project run smoothly. Our NSW team travelled to Brisbane multiple times for site inspections and to coordinate closely with the QLD team. From the start, the installation required problem-solving, custom modifications and a deep understanding of how to service the site long-term.
One of the most striking features of the Aurizon fit-out is the central stair void, where trailing Pothos cascade from mounted joinery planters along each balcony level. This greenery transforms what would otherwise be plain floor-to-floor views into a connected, living feature that draws the eye upward. The effect not only enhances the sense of cohesion between levels but also brings warmth and texture to the architectural space. Installing and maintaining the plants in this area is no small task. Access is only possible via a harness, which requires fall protection and a specialised working-at-heights certification. Our trained team services the area every six weeks to keep the cascading plants healthy and visually consistent.
The impact of this installation was noticed beyond the Aurizon tenancy. A client on one of the other floors, WSP, was so impressed with the result that they requested we replicate a similar planting approach in their own space.
At the reception level, we mounted plants directly into a custom-built joinery representation of the Aurizon logo, a unique feature that blends branding with greenery. Throughout office doorways, we developed a custom clip-in system for the container, allowing for easy plant access and maintenance with no effect on the doors themselves.
There were also several fit-out challenges. Some furniture-supplied joinery included planter boxes cut to fit 330mm pots, but the depth was only 200mm. We worked around this by designing reducer rings at short notice, allowing us to use 200mm plants at the front and bushier plants at the rear to conceal the oversized pots. These particular planters sit in the middle of active hot desk areas surrounded by computers, making them awkward to service – but with careful plant selection and strategic placement, we achieved a clean, balanced look that still allows for ongoing maintenance years into our contract.
In other areas, planter top plates were too shallow to hide the grow pots, so we cut and fitted timber supports underneath to raise the plates and achieve a seamless finish.
To make long-term maintenance more efficient, plants were pre-grown in special water system pots for 4–5 months prior to installation. Once in place, these pots acted like self-watering units, with some only requiring attention every six weeks. Since then, the schedule has been updated to every four weeks to ensure peak plant health.
Following the main installation, we were asked to urgently replicate part of the planting in a second Aurizon office across the road, within one week. Our team delivered quickly, matching the original plant selections and maintaining the same level of quality despite the tight turnaround. Although Aurizon has since vacated that building, one of the subleased floors is now occupied by a new client, who chose to keep our original planting in place. The fact that the greenery was retained speaks to the lasting impact of the design. It reflects the level of service, responsiveness and quality that clients can expect from us, even under pressure!
The Outcome
This project is one of the most technically demanding installs we’ve ever completed in Queensland. From unique planter modifications to complex height access and varied service schedules, the site requires ongoing attention and coordination. Currently, two of our team members service the site weekly, supported closely by our Service Manager Nikki, who oversees all the moving parts to ensure the plants and site are kept to a high standard.
The result is a workplace that feels polished and inviting, with layered planting that complements the architectural design and works seamlessly across multiple levels. With a plant palette including Strelitzia, Kentia Palms, Sansevieria, Zanzibar Gem and Aglaonema, the space balances visual impact and long-term maintainability.
We’re proud of what we’ve achieved at Aurizon and continue to support them as part of a long-standing partnership.
If you’re looking to elevate your workplace with innovative plant designs, contact our team for a FREE consultation today.