Commercial Plant Installation for Aquifer House Luxury Apartments, London

Client: ILA – Aquifer House

Location: London

Services: Commercial Plant Consultation, Design, Supply, Installation & Ongoing Maintenance

Key Features: Architectural Strelitzia nicolai (Bird of Paradise), Specimen Howea forsteriana (Kentia Palms), Tabletop Greenery & Custom Planters

Transforming London’s Aquifer House with Scale and Biophilic Luxury

Nestled in London, Aquifer House by ila represents modern urban living with expansive double-height ceilings, warm timber architectural details, and sunlit communal spaces. Root Houseplants was brought in to design a biophilic planting scheme that would match the scale of the architecture while bringing warmth, texture, and natural life into the resident lobby and reception areas.

The Design Brief: Scale, Texture & Natural Light

The grand architecture of Aquifer House provided a stunning backdrop—featuring floor-to-ceiling glass facades and high timber archways. However, wide-open spaces with high ceilings require careful plant selection to avoid feeling cavernous.

Our goal was to:

• Frame the Architectural Scale: Introduce large-scale specimen plants that naturally draw the eye upward toward the tall ceilings.

• Complement the Interior Palette: Select neutral, textured stone and ribbed planters that harmonise with the polished concrete floors, rich wood accents, and warm olive furnishings.

• Enhance Resident Wellbeing: Create welcoming, biophilic gathering spots within the communal lounges and around the main reception desk.

The Greenery: Statement Palms & Tropical Foliage

To match the light-filled, dramatic volume of the lobby, we hand-selected architectural houseplants capable of making a strong visual statement:

• Strelitzia nicolai (White Bird of Paradise): Positioning tall, broad-leafed Strelitzias near the expansive perimeter windows created instant dramatic height, filtering incoming sunlight and creating soft shadows across the lounge area.

• Howea forsteriana (Kentia Palms): Placed strategically near glass entrances and communal seating areas, these lush palms soften structural lines and add tropical elegance without cluttering pathways.

• Sansevieria & Aglaonema (Desk & Tabletop Accents): Compact, textured varieties in fluted ceramic pots were placed along the curved reception counter and coffee tables to add subtle pops of green at eye level for residents and guests.

The Outcome: A Vibrant, Welcoming Resident Hub

The resulting installation turns Aquifer House's grand entrance into a warm, inviting sanctuary for residents. By pairing high-impact specimen greenery with a tailored, long-term maintenance schedule, Root Houseplants ensures the greenery continues to thrive and keep the space looking immaculate year-round.

"Working with grand double-height spaces allows us to showcase truly impressive specimen plants. At Aquifer House, the combination of Strelitzias and Kentia Palms creates a seamless connection between London’s urban energy outside and the relaxing indoor community within."