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FARMS FOR WORKPLACE DESIGNERS
Square Mile Farms works with workplace designers, architects and project teams to integrate productive, edible planting into workplace interiors. From standalone Farmstands and Farmwalls to completely bespoke installations, we design hydroponic Farms around the space, aesthetic and objectives of each project.
By involving us early in the design process, Farms can be integrated into walls, joinery and shared spaces, with infrastructure considered from the outset and materials and finishes selected to complement the wider interior.
How we help workplace designers integrate edible planting
Biophilia has become an important part of workplace design, but planting doesn't have to be purely decorative.
An Office Farm introduces productive biophilia: living planting that also grows fresh herbs, salads and leafy greens for people in the workplace to harvest and eat.
Square Mile Farms works with workplace designers from concept through to installation, helping determine the right Farm format, location, dimensions, materials and infrastructure for the project.
How can an Office Farm be integrated into a workplace design?
Office Farms can be incorporated into walls, joinery, catering spaces, breakout areas and other shared spaces, or installed as standalone features.
Our Farmwalls can be adapted to suit different design requirements, while bespoke installations give project teams greater flexibility over dimensions, materials and finishes.
Working with us early in the design process means practical requirements such as power, water, access and maintenance can be considered alongside the wider interior, creating a more seamless result.
What is productive biophilia?
Productive biophilia combines the benefits of bringing nature into buildings with the additional purpose of growing food.
Rather than being purely decorative, an Office Farm changes as crops grow and are harvested. Employees can interact with the planting, learn about what's growing and eat fresh herbs, salads and leafy greens produced in their workplace.
This turns biophilia into an active part of the workplace experience, connecting interior design with food, nature, wellbeing and sustainability.
How can an Office Farm support workplace wellbeing?
Bringing nature into the workplace can make contact with planting part of the everyday environment rather than a standalone wellbeing initiative.
Office Farms add another dimension by allowing people to interact with the planting through regular harvests and food-growing activities.
Workplace farming can also align with features of the WELL Building Standard relating to Nourishment, Nature, Place and Enhanced Access to Nature, making it relevant to projects with wider health and wellbeing objectives. Read our article: Can an Office Farm Help You Achieve WELL Certification?
Office Farms bring people, food and nature together
Integrated
design
Farms can be incorporated as part of the wider workplace design.
Bespoke
solutions
Dimensions, materials and finishes to fit the project.
Productive
biophilia
Planting brings nature into the workplace while growing produce.
Employee experience
Harvests and events turn planting into something to interact with.
Who looks after a Farm?
Square Mile Farms works alongside workplace designers, architects and project teams to take a Farm from initial concept through to installation.
We advise on the Farm format, location, dimensions, materials and technical requirements, and can develop bespoke solutions around the design intent of the project.
Once installed, our Farm-as-a-Service model means we continue to look after the Farm. Our Urban Farmers manage planting, crop care, maintenance and regular harvests, so the finished installation continues to look good and perform as intended.
WHAT WE DO
Farms
Hydroponic Farmwalls, Farmstands and bespoke growing installations designed for workplaces and commercial buildings.
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Farm experience
Harvests give opportunities to interact with the Farm, learn about growing and take home fresh produce.
Farm care
Our Urban Farmers manage planting, maintenance and crop care to keep your Farm healthy and productive.
Events
Hands-on activities including workshops, food and nutrition events and team experiences built around the Farm.
Consultancy and design
We work with facilities teams and designers to identify the right Farm and location for a workplace or new development.
How other facilities teams are using Office Farms
Integrating a 315-plant Farmwall into a high-end interior
See how Square Mile Farms worked with the project team from an early stage to create a statement Farm within a carefully designed workplace interior.
We redesigned the Farmwall mechanism so it could hang directly on the wall, concealing the growing infrastructure within a stone-like Corian finish. The result is a bespoke installation with capacity for 315 plants that feels integrated into the surrounding design.
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Designing edible biophilia into a space
See how an Office Farm was integrated into a workplace designed around the concept of "Osmosis Learning" – creating more opportunities for people to meet, interact and exchange ideas.
The Farm became a feature of the Cloud 9 catering space, growing fresh produce while contributing to a shared destination designed to bring colleagues together.
How does an Office Farm work?
1. Involve us early
We discuss the design concept, space, client objectives and programme, helping identify opportunities to integrate productive planting into the scheme.
2. We develop the Farm design
We identify the right Farm format and work with the project team on dimensions, positioning, materials, finishes and other design requirements.
3. We coordinate the infrastructure
We advise the project team on requirements such as power, water, drainage, access and maintenance so these can be incorporated into the wider design.
4. We manufacture and install the Farm
Our team coordinates with designers, contractors and other project stakeholders to manufacture and install the Farm in line with the agreed design.
5. We look after it
Once the project is complete, Square Mile Farms' Urban Farmers provide ongoing planting, crop care, maintenance and regular harvests through our fully managed Farm-as-a-Service model.
Frequently asked questions about Office Farms for workplace designers
When should an Office Farm be considered in the design process?
Ideally, Square Mile Farms should be involved as early as possible. Early involvement allows the Farm's location, dimensions, infrastructure, materials and maintenance access to be considered alongside the wider workplace design. Farms can also be retrofitted into existing workplaces.
Can an Office Farm be designed into a wall?
Yes. Farmwalls can be integrated into walls and other architectural features, subject to the requirements of the individual space. We work with design and project teams to consider the Farm structure, services, access and surrounding finishes.
Can an Office Farm be bespoke?
Yes. Alongside our standard Farm formats, Square Mile Farms designs bespoke installations around individual projects. Depending on the brief, this can include different dimensions, configurations, materials and finishes to complement the wider interior.
What services does an Office Farm need?
The requirements depend on the Farm type and scale of the installation. Square Mile Farms works with design and project teams to establish requirements for power, water, drainage and access at the design stage so the necessary infrastructure can be incorporated into the project.
Can an Office Farm be added to an existing workplace?
Yes. Office Farms can be incorporated into existing workplaces as well as new fit-outs and refurbishments. Different Farm formats allow us to identify a solution based on the available space, infrastructure and project objectives.
Who maintains the Farm after handover?
Square Mile Farms does. Our fully managed Farm-as-a-Service model includes planting, crop care, maintenance and regular harvests, so responsibility for maintaining the growing system doesn't pass to the designer, client or facilities team after installation.
What is the difference between an Office Farm and a living wall?
A living wall is generally installed primarily for planting and visual impact. An Office Farm uses hydroponic growing systems to produce edible crops such as herbs, salads and leafy greens. It can therefore combine biophilic design with food production, harvests and employee engagement.
Can an Office Farm contribute to WELL certification?
Workplace farming can align with features of the WELL Building Standard relating to areas including Nourishment, Nature, Place and Enhanced Access to Nature. Whether an individual installation contributes towards certification will depend on the project and applicable WELL requirements.
Read our article: Can an Office Farm Help You Achieve WELL Certification?