Over the past few years, there’s been a significant shift in the way businesses think about their physical space and how it affects the bottom line in the long run.
The outdoor area is no longer considered a leftover space. It is becoming a valuable business asset that companies try to leverage. In fact, the office is embracing a biophilic design that encompasses not only interior areas but also exterior space, such as the rooftop, the courtyard, and other tiny green patches on the property. As these spaces are getting a second look and a new feature in the business decor, they also help boost the overall company’s image.
Is it all for the sustainability goals? While sustainability is part of every business strategy, it would be too easy to assume that green spaces are instantly synonymous with environmental impact. As it happens, the garden area in the business is far from being another green addition to tick off from a sustainability to-do list. Green assets are a fundamental part of a company’s infrastructure and offering.
The business case for workplace gardens
Strengthening the organisation’s identity
Companies that invest in outdoor areas often find that these spaces become part of their brand story. They use it to demonstrate a forward-looking approach to design and a willingness to think beyond traditional office layouts.
For businesses that host clients or partners on site, a well-maintained garden creates a strong first impression. In competitive sectors, these visual cues can contribute to how a company is perceived.
Enhancing workplace performance and efficiency
Although gardens are often associated with relaxation, they play a role in supporting focus and productivity.
Research from the University of Exeter has shown that offices that introduced greenery and natural elements recorded a 15% increase in productivity. Access to nature improves how people think and work.
Supporting long-term property value
Businesses that own or lease long-term office sites are also turning to gardens as a way to protect or increase asset value.
Professionally landscaped areas can raise the perceived quality of a property. Besides, as more companies evaluate their portfolios through the lens of sustainability, demand for sites with green infrastructure is expected to rise.
Types of workplace gardens
Rooftop gardens
Many businesses in India’s bigger cities and all over the world are giving their rooftops a green upgrade. Ultimately, the rooftop, which is traditionally an unused space, can instantly be part of the building design.
Apart from offering a new spot for the team to relax and hang out, rooftop gardens can also reduce heat absorption. They help keep the top floors cool, which in turn makes for a nicer working environment inside and outside. This is particularly vital for older buildings that need a little help in the energy-saving sector.
Courtyard & micro-gardens
For companies with limited space, turning the courtyard or alleyway into a mini garden can be a great option.
Vertical gardens
In the middle of busy cities, vertical gardens are becoming a hot alternative to the traditional landscaping look. Planted up along the building’s exterior walls (or balconies), these gardens make a design statement without needing additional space.
They are also a no-brainer for corporates looking to stand out in a competitive market.
The rise of edible work gardens
What to do with a garden? A growing number of businesses are exploring edible gardens as a response to the question.
Edible gardens allow organisations to introduce small-scale food production that supports both sustainability narratives and contemporary workplace culture. Herbs, leafy greens, and compact vegetables can be grown in raised beds or planters, making them suitable even for offices with limited outdoor space.
Some offices have created elaborate indoor farming systems that grow their own food, such as the unique Pasona Urban Farm facility in Japan. While most businesses may not adopt a full-scale farming model, smaller versions can still offer value. They contribute to a unique office identity, give staff an unusual point of interest, and a sense of reward too.
Edible gardens also offer a practical advantage. They support branding strategies for organisations that want to turn sustainability into a brand-reputation strategy.
The question of garden maintenance
Once a business commits to developing a garden, maintenance becomes a central part of keeping the space functional and consistent. As the workplace garden is part of the company’s infrastructure, the maintenance needs to meet a professional standard.
Depending on the scale of the garden, organisations choose to work with external landscaping teams who have the skills to manage larger areas and plants. For small garden areas, the responsibility can fall on employees, as a collaborative project that gets everyone involved.
Noise is a big consideration when it comes to maintenance. Once again, the site of the business green will also dictate the level of noise that maintenance activities can produce. But one thing is for sure: larger gardens that require professional maintenance are likely to have experts on-site during working hours. This means that loud equipment can disrupt meetings, calls, and visits. The demand for quieter equipment, such as an electric chainsaw or mower, is high and also crucial for maintaining office productivity.
Gardens, CSR, and brand
The workplace garden starts to take on a life of its own as a symbol of what the business stands for. Truth be told, this is a good indicator of how a business positions itself in an ever-changing commercial world.
Sustainability is a big focus in the business world, and with customers paying close attention to companies’ strategies and activities, there’s a lot of pressure to showcase results. Saying the right “green” buzzwords doesn’t tick boxes anymore. That’s where a workplace garden can be a great way for businesses to prove their commitment to going green. No matter how small, a garden is part of a bigger shift towards improving resource use and supporting the environment.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that the garden becomes part of the story that companies tell the public. It can become a place for people to come together in the local community. It could even be an output for CSR plans. No matter how a garden is used in a community-facing space, it can drive returns that go beyond environmental matters, from individual well-being to productivity margin.