Green Air
Project Brief and Vision
We collaborated with the Unispace Wellington team to reimagine the atrium of the Majestic Centre,
Wellington’s tallest building. The space was given a new lease on life through a biophilic installation that
transformed the building’s main entrance. We incorporated 40 individual gardens that spans both sides of
a two-level escalator atrium. Our brief was to work within the joinery units and create an outstanding
display that welcomes people into the building and reconnects them with nature.
This is the first touchpoint for every visitor and sought to create a meaningful encounter with greenery, a
moment of pause and connection as people travel up and through the space. Creating views that reveal
something new and unexpected when observed from different angles.
Impact on the Space
The installation has transformed how people experience the atrium. Visitors now pass through a lush,
layered environment that softens the hard architectural lines and creates a calming, restorative
atmosphere. Regular users of the building are able to observe seasonal and incremental changes,
encouraging repeat engagement with the space.
With the greenery now part of the building’s identity, it has become essential to create spaces where
people feel good and engage more deeply with their surroundings. Taking advantage of the high walls
separating gardens, we chose varieties that could either climb up and along the walls or cascade
downward, further connecting all 40 gardens despite their separation.
Longevity of Design
We carried out a detailed light study and integrated both natural and artificial grow lighting to ensure plant
health and resilience. The curated palette combines mature trees with juvenile plants, allowing the
gardens to evolve over time. This growth journey strengthens occupant connection and gives people a
sense of belonging.
Neighbouring gardens were visually connected to achieve uniformity and organised complexity – an
important principle of biophilic design that reinforces the Experience of Space and Place. Every garden is
individually supported by automated watering system, ensuring long-term viability and reduced water
waste.
Plant Selection
The plant selection design drew inspiration from the natural layers found in New Zealand’s forest: The
Canopy, The Understory, and The Forest Floor.
• The Canopy features statement trees to provide scale and overhead greenery.
• The Understory extends shrub-like plants and small trees to build density and volume.
• The Forest Floor combines trailing and groundcover species planted en masse, supported by natural
elements such as rocks and logs to encourage authentic growth patterns
Containers
We fabricated 40 custom aluminium planter boxes to fit seamlessly into the joinery. Each was designed
with a hidden cavity beneath the soil, allowing space for inlet pipes, solenoids, water level sensors, and
overflow outlets. This crucial design choice allowed us to integrate a fully automated watering system for
streamlined ongoing care and long-term success. This forward-thinking integration ensured both
functionality and a clean finished look that complements the modern aesthetic.
Top Dressing
To mimic the natural forest floor, all solutions were dressed in 100% natural brown bark. This substrate
retains moisture for extended periods, supporting healthy growth. This is particularly crucial for the trailing
underplanting. We intentionally created bark-only pathways to provide safe access for service technicians
and easy movement between gardens.
Access and Work Area Obstacles
Each garden is staggered in position and raised by 500mm, requiring close collaboration with Unispace,
plumbers, and electricians to ensure every element worked seamlessly together.
This collaboration was vital to meet the design parameters and create a solution that is viable, safe to
service, and maintainable long term.
Unique Materials
While the gardens appear clean and seamless, they conceal complex technology below the soil surface.
Each planter functions independently, with water-level sensors that trigger automated watering at the
precise time required, depending on the garden’s needs. Each planter can be individually controlled, giving
us full flexibility in how much and how often water is delivered.
New Plant Varieties
During the design phase, we focused on unique plant pairings to create contrast in colour and texture,
celebrating the artistic side of Wellington. The installation incorporates a wide selection of species,
including rare varieties to provide intrigue, visual highlights and moments of discovery. Native ferns and
matured ponga were incorporated to create a meaningful and locally rooted connection.
Innovative Design Features
As a safety feature, overflow pipes were installed within each planter to safeguard the installation for
years to come. This responsive system ensures the right conditions for long-term growth.
To complement the automated watering system, we developed a custom soil blend with high water
absorption capacity that can withstand compression from technicians moving through the gardens
without compromising plant health.
Maintenance Schedule
Due to the scale and level of detail, the site is serviced weekly by a specialist horticultural technician. The
automated watering system delivers the right amount of moisture when needed, allowing the technician to
focus on plant health and maintenance.
To complement this, we developed a custom soil blend with high water-absorption capacity, durable
enough to withstand compression from technicians moving through the gardens without compromising
plant health.
Disease and Pest Control
Our technician is trained to identify early signs of pests and disease. Hand-wiping and targeted organic
spot treatments form the first line of defence, with plant replacement used if necessary. Where broader
intervention is needed, we introduce beneficial insects to restore ecological balance, avoiding the use of
synthetic chemicals. This approach is safe for occupants and supports biodiversity.
Environmental Conditions
We considered variable environmental conditions. The atrium receives cold drafts at ground level with
fluctuating temperatures thought-out the day and seasons.
In addition, the light levels also vary throughout the site. Grow lights were positioned and timed to
optimise photosynthetic support. While mass planting strategies help regulate humidity and stabilise
microclimates.
Use of Sub-Irrigation Technology
We integrated a wicking cell system, made from 100% recycled materials, to work in conjunction with the
automated watering system. These systems use capillary action to deliver water directly to root zones
from the reservoir below, ensuring a consistent moisture level. This minimises water wastage, reduces the
need for frequent watering, and prevents over-watering and root rot.
Pruning Practices
Regular trimming and shaping encourage healthy growth and ensure the installation retains a natural yet
curated form. Pruning is conducted with sensitivity to promote healthy cascading growth and to allow the
ground cover plants to continue spreading along the bark topping in a layered, forest-like aesthetic, while
maintaining clear lines of sight and safe pathways for the service technician.
INDUSTRY NEWS
POSTED 11/2025
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