Bringing Green Life to a Sydney Landmark
Background & Challenge
Westpac is Australia’s oldest bank and one of the country’s Big Four banks. Its headquarters at 275 Kent Street in Sydney, Westpac Place is a 32-storey tower that brings together teams from across the bank’s major brands, including St. George Bank, Bank of Melbourne, BankSA, BT and RAMS. The building holds a 6 Star Green Star Performance rating, a reflection of Westpac’s strong commitment to sustainability and workplace wellbeing.
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
We worked closely with Westpac and MPA to plan and install greenery across the site, including 59 large, free-standing planters – some weighing up to 150kg. Installations like this require careful coordination, especially when other trades are still working on-site. To avoid any disruption, we scheduled most of our work outside business hours to ensure that lifts or shared spaces remained fully accessible.
One of the more complex aspects of the project involved a series of custom-built planters under a staircase. These units weren’t designed for plants, lacked waterproofing and were in a low-light zone. To address this, we invited the design team to our depot, where we suggested more suitable plant varieties and proposed fitting PVC liners inside the joinery. This avoided the need for expensive modifications and made the units safe and ready for planting.
Plant selection was tailored to suit the building’s varied light levels and to complement the existing finishes. Varieties included Aglaonema Thai, Pothos, Sansevieria, Spathiphyllum, Strelitzia, Monstera Deliciosa, Dracaena Deremensis, Zanzibar Gem, Ficus Burgundy and Dracaena Janet Craig. These were placed in a mix of large custom pots, bowls and joinery to complement the space’s overall design and material palette.
Design That Delivers Long-Term Value
The result was a greener, more vibrant workplace that supports the wellbeing of Westpac’s staff and the bank’s sustainability goals. The plants enhanced the overall feel of the space and improved indoor air quality, meeting the criteria for Green Star points.
Feedback from both Westpac and MPA has been excellent. They valued our clear communication throughout the process and our ability to adapt quickly as the project evolved. The installation has continued to perform well. We’re proud to have contributed to a workplace that reflects Westpac’s values around innovation, sustainability and people-first design.
If you’re looking to elevate your workplace with innovative plant designs, contact our team for a FREE consultation today.