‘La Chambre Verte’ is the name of the new biophilic, ‘planted paradise’ that was created inside Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel by Benholm Group. Following presenting an insightful pitch at Hotel Designs LIVE, Adrian Byne, the Group’s Marketing and HR manager, takes us inside…
At Benholm Group, we have pioneered the use of creative planting for interiors for more than 25 years; not only as eye-catching focal points, but also to promote the natural health benefits that being surrounded by plants can bring. We have long understood the value plants can bring to every environment.
Known to us all as ‘‘biophilic design’, the use of plants in providing cleaner air and connecting us with nature, when coupled with natural light, certain colours, acoustics, and fragrances has long been proven to have a positive effect on both mental and physical wellbeing.
This concept has now been brought to the forefront of luxury hotel design with our collaboration on ‘La Chambre Verte’ – a unique, immersive hotel room experience filled with lush planting and host of other delights. Located within Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel, our collaboration alongside other industry experts, including luxury skincare brand La Rue Verte and award-winning DJ Brian D’Souza, combined to create a multi-sensory, luxury bedroom spa experience incorporating biophilic plant design, CBD rituals, meditation and sound therapy.
Echoing the practice of forest-bathing, an ancient Japanese process of relaxation, La Chambre Verte encourages guests to unwind in the green space of their hotel room, while observing nature’s beauty; to feel stress levels reduced happiness increased, and importantly, have a better night’s sleep.
Our experienced design consultants were chosen to bring the room to life with lush greenery, to ensure that all plant species would thrive in the climactic conditions of the room and contribute to guests achieving the perfect night’s sleep.
Sketch credit: Benholm Group
As part of the design process, we worked closely with the hotel to ensure that the room felt spacious and light, with plenty of floor space for ease of movement around the room. Overcoming certain challenges was a key part of this process, such as ensuring the room was always fully functional, being careful that plant installations did not damage the expensive wall coverings and furnishings, even down to the maintaining good sightlines to the TV!
Image credit: Naomi Vance Photography for Kimpton Blythswood Square
Our experienced design consultants carefully identified plants that have been proven to improve air quality effectively and combined these into an attractive jungle-like display that is both pleasing to the eye and creates a healthy, relaxing environment. Many of the plants have a useful information tag attached detailing its attributes in providing cleaner air – guests can even scan a QR code to order the plant for their own home or office.
Image credit: Naomi Vance Photography for Kimpton Blythswood Square
Inside the room, trailing Ivy cascades down from a living wall panel above the bed, Monstera leaves and Palm fronds frame every view, and lush clusters of hanging, exotic plants purify the air and boost the immune system. Plus, our specialist maintenance technicians are all part of the scheduled housekeeping inside the room to ensure plants are kept healthy and vibrant.
Image credit: Jane Barlow/PA Wire
To have the opportunity to work on a project which is designed to highlight the benefits of biophilia for mental as well as physical well-being has been a real joy, and we look forward to helping others in realising the potential of plants in their own spaces.
Why not get in touch and find out how Benholm Group, a Product Watch Pitch Partner at Hotel Designs LIVE, can incorporate our vibrant variety of plants into your interior space? From offices to restaurants to luxury hotel rooms, being surrounded by plants will delight and revitalise.
Main image credit: Naomi Vance Photography for Kimpton Blythswood Square
