Revitalizing The Huntington Center's Living Plant Wall
The Huntington Center at a glance
- Industry: Commercial Building
- Location: Columbus, Ohio.
- About: A one million-square-foot, 37-story skyscraper underwent a $16 million refurbishment in 2019, including the installation of one of the largest and most impressive green living walls in the United States with 8.500 plants in the lobby.
- Challenge: Three years after the initial building makeover the two-story, 2,400-square-foot plant wall was neglected and needed restoration to enhance the building's biophilic design.
Results:
The results of our efforts to restore the living plant wall have been nothing short of transformative. Through bi-weekly visits and consistent care, our maintenance technicians have significantly improved the overall environment of the Huntington Center. The intentional plant groupings and visible arrangements have garnered regular compliments for their beauty and creative designs.
The Challenge: A Deteriorating Green Space
In April 2022, Oakland Green Interiors took over the horticultural service of the Huntington Center, a prestigious commercial building with vast potential for biophilic design. Upon arrival, our team encountered significant challenges. The property featured over 50 floor plants scattered between the main lobby and a 36th-floor rooftop tenant lounge, all in varying states of health and appearance. Additionally, a 2,400 square foot plant wall with 8,500 individual plants had fallen into disrepair, tarnishing the overall aesthetic of the building.
The Solution: Revitalizing and Maintaining Green Spaces
Our approach to revitalizing The Huntington Center involved a multifaceted strategy to transform the space into a vibrant, healthy, and aesthetically pleasing environment.
Revitalizing Floor Plants:
We replaced the most overgrown and underperforming plants with more visually balanced selections. Existing plants were pruned, cleaned, and restaged with sub-irrigation to improve health. Outdated planter designs were refreshed with moss in place of overgrown trailing plants, creating a cleaner look while managing replacement costs. Targeted pest treatments addressed mealybugs, and select plant varieties were upgraded to more hearty options.
Strategic Plant Arrangements and Maintenance:
Beyond plant health, we improved overall impact by relocating plants to better-lit, higher-impact areas and created cohesive groupings. Consistent maintenance helped restore many plants that would have otherwise been replaced. The plant wall is maintained bi-weekly, requiring lift access for detailed care. Regular grooming, pest management, and seasonal rotations keep the installation vibrant and continually engaging for tenants and visitors.
Efficient Resource Management and Client Collaboration:
We streamlined maintenance by establishing on-site resources, including a 22-gallon water tank and access to janitor sinks on multiple floors. With support from property management—providing loading dock, freight elevator, and lift access—our team is able to work efficiently and safely throughout the building. A strong partnership with the client, rooted in a shared commitment to biophilic design, allows for ongoing improvements, keeping the space visually impactful.
The Outcome
According to Hines, the property management company, “We’ve experienced a remarkable transformation since transitioning to Oakland Green Interiors. From rehabilitating our plant walls with creative and fresh perspectives to delivering exceptional service, OGI has brought Huntington Center exceptional service since day one, and we are happy to have them as partners.”
This project showcases our expertise in interior plant maintenance, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with The Huntington Center to further enhance their plant designs throughout the space.