Offices: The power of plants in the workplace

Green work environments: Bringing nature into the workplace
Our creative partner JungL is on a mission to transform office spaces by integrating greenery. No wonder their art perfectly adds to Befimmo’s vision of enhancing well-being, fostering creativity, and supporting sustainability.
We sat down with Frédéric Hittelet, founder of JungL, to explore how his team brings nature into urban spaces. We dive deep into the collaboration with Befimmo on projects, and navigate the challenges of greening hyper-urban environments.
Creativity and environmental impact in sustainable workplace design
JungL shapes living environments that inspire and promote well-being. “We design green spaces that organically blend into their environment while making a bold statement,” Frédéric explains. Whether crafting lush green walls or vibrant terraces, JungL tailors each project to reflect the space's identity and users' needs.
Question: What initially attracted JungL to collaborate with Befimmo on its projects?
Frédéric: Our philosophy aligns perfectly with Befimmo's focus on sustainability and innovative design. Working on large-scale, complex projects with a company that values creativity and environmental responsibility was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.
Q: How does JungL approach the challenge of greening hyper-urban environments, especially in projects like rooftop terraces and office interiors?
F: Urban spaces present unique challenges, especially when integrating greenery sustainably. For rooftop terraces, we select resilient, native plants that can withstand extreme weather and high winds. Indoors, we use tropical plants sourced locally to reduce the carbon footprint. We also balance aesthetics with maintenance, ensuring that our design remains vibrant and healthy over time. What looks great today, still has to look amazing in twenty years!
Q: How does sustainability influence your material choices and plant selections?
F: We prioritise local suppliers and materials to minimise our environmental impact. For outdoor spaces, we focus on native plants that support biodiversity, while using responsibly sourced tropical plants indoors. We also consider the full lifecycle of materials, ensuring they align with circular economy principles.
Q: What’s the impact of biophilic design on workplace well-being?
F: Green office spaces reduce stress, increase productivity, and improve air quality. Beyond aesthetics, plants create a sense of calm and connection to nature, crucial in urban workspaces. We design spaces that feel like an extension of home - warm, inviting, and conducive to well-being. That addresses an office trend that’s upcoming nowadays.
How collaboration drives better office design
Q: So, what’s JungL’s experience in collaborating with Befimmo?
F: They give us creative freedom without losing focus on functionality and sustainability. Ideas flow freely when we think together and find solutions that balance creativity and practicality. Additionally, it’s great to work in such iconic spaces, and Befimmo encourages bold ideas. That trust and shared vision have allowed us to create unique spaces.
Q: Looking ahead, what trends do you see shaping the future of green design in workspaces?
F: There’s a growing focus on creating “living” offices that incorporate greenery and adapt to users' needs. We’re seeing a rising demand for dynamic green installations, such as mobile plant walls and flexible green zones. There’s also a shift towards using plants for aesthetics and functional benefits, like air purification and acoustics.
Balancing sustainability, well-being and performance in the workplace
The partnership between JungL and Befimmo shows how thoughtful design transforms urban workspaces into living, breathing environments that benefit people and the planet. Customers and users expect their workplace to achieve the perfect balance between functionality, sustainability, wellbeing, health and beauty - and rightfully so!
To learn more about workplace trends in Belgium, discover the Befimmo Office Barometer.