Bringing home two awards from this year's philaments. At the 2026 Philament awards, BEAM was proud and honored to be recognized with two awards: A Certificate of Merit for The Philadelphian Lobby (in collaboration with CBP Architects) and a Philament Award for Clark Capital Management Group (in collaboration with Gensler). The evening at the Franklin Institute was a great success, with BEAM's Jason Bradshaw and Jeffrey Kahn assisting in hosting the event. As the current Vice President of IES Philadelphia, Jason coordinated the annual "Design with Light" competition, which featured an impressive display of tabletop luminaires designed by students. Jeffrey served as the event's master of ceremonies, keeping the program engaging and enjoyable throughout the night, and was also honored with one of the evening's two Philament Awards for his work on the Clark Capital Management Group (CCMG) project. The inspiring projects and talented professionals celebrated throughout the evening showcased the incredible work being done across its industry and BEAM, ltd. couldn't be more excited to be a part of it. Thank you to its clients and collaborators. And thank you to the sponsors for a wonderful evening!

What goes into a professional plant installation? Most people see the finished result of a professional plant installation - the towering lobby trees, the sweeping green wall behind a reception desk, the carefully arranged tropical plants that bring warmth and comfort to sterile spaces. What they don't see is everything that has to happen before a single plant is delivered. Many believe that professional plant installation is simply a delivery and placement service. In reality, it's a coordinated process that begins weeks or months before installation day and involves environmental assessment, species selection, contractor coordination, logistical planning, and hands-on horticultural expertise. Here's what that process actually looks like. How professional plant installation begins. Before any plant installation can be designed, the space has to be studied. A professional interiorscape team evaluates light levels at different times of day, HVAC placement and airflow patterns, foot traffic routes, ceiling heights, flooring type, and the aesthetic goals of the client. These factors determine which plants will survive and thrive in the space - and which ones, however beautiful, would fail within months. This phase also involves conversations with architects, interior designers, and millwork contractors when the plant installation is part of a larger build-out. On the Insight project, Plant Solutions partnered with architectural firm Gensler and worked directly with millwork contractors to ensure that custom-built planters met precise dimensions for the plants selected. Early collaboration prevented structural problems that would have been expensive to fix after the fact - and resulted in planters that were both architecturally seamless and horticulturally sound. Choosing the right plants for your commercial space. Choosing plants for a commercial installation goes well beyond picking species that look good. Each plant must be matched to its specific micro-environment within the space. A plant that thrives near a south-facing window may decline in an interior corridor three feet away. Species that perform well in Phoenix's air-conditioned summer conditions may need different care in winter when light angles shift and HVAC patterns change. This is where the expertise of a trained horticulturalist becomes essential to the plant installation process. The species selection phase also accounts for the long-term maintenance reality of the space - a busy healthcare clinic, for example, needs plants that tolerate bright overhead lighting, and don't shed debris onto clean floors. For Tia Women's Health Clinic, Plant Solutions selected tropical species that created warmth and calm while remaining practical for a clinical environment. The logistics of a large-scale plant installation. For smaller plant installations - a reception area, a single conference room, a lobby grouping - the physical work is straightforward. Plants arrive, horticulturalists position them according to the design plan, containers are finalized, and the space comes to life. Large-scale plant installations are a different matter entirely. On The Link project, Plant Solutions used a 45-foot scissor lift to install two-story living plant walls that extended over a second-floor mezzanine - a physical challenge that required detailed pre-installation coordination with the building's construction team. The 130-plant installation needed to be sequenced carefully to avoid damaging finished surfaces, obstructing construction access, or compromising the structural integrity of the wall systems. Even on projects without scissor lifts, the physical demands of a professional plant installation are significant. Specimen trees, large container plants, and custom planter systems can weigh hundreds of pounds. Plant Solutions' horticulturalists handle the physical installation directly - positioning plants, ensuring proper drainage, and verifying that every element is correctly established before the project is considered complete. Sharing plant designs with architects and contractors. The most successful plant installations happen when the interiorscape team is brought in early - ideally during the design phase of a build-out, not after construction is finished. Early involvement allows the plant installation to be integrated into the architecture rather than added on top of it. This kind of collaboration is reflected across Plant Solutions' award-winning project portfolio. The Insight headquarters installation, which earned a Platinum Award at the Tropical Plants Expo, was designed in close coordination with Gensler to support the client's Gold LEED certification goals. This particular plant installation was a functional component of the building's wellness and sustainability strategy, involving 980 plants across an indoor park-like environment designed to help attract and retain top talent. Plant Solutions regularly partners with architects, interior designers, and general contractors across the Phoenix metro area to deliver commercial plant installations that are structurally sound, aesthetically cohesive, and built to perform over the long term. You can read more about the design principles behind this work in its article on plant design basics. Plant watering and pruning services after installation. A plant installation is the beginning of a living environment, not the end of the project. Plants require ongoing professional care to maintain their health and appearance - and the conditions of a commercial space change over time. HVAC systems get adjusted, seasonal light shifts, and foot traffic patterns evolve. For clients who want a complete solution, plant rental programs bundle the plant installation itself with ongoing indoor maintenance into a single monthly arrangement. Plants are selected for the space, installed by Plant Solutions' team, and cared for throughout the lease. If a plant declines, it's typically replaced at no additional cost. For clients who choose to own their plants instead of rent them, Plant Solutions offers recurring horticultural service for commercial and high-end residential spaces throughout the Phoenix metro area - ensuring that the investment made on installation day continues to deliver value for years afterward. To explore what a plant installation could look like for your space, browse its project portfolio or contact Plant Solutions to get started! Ready to elevate your commercial space with a professional plant installation?

Mulberry Academy London Dock launches Gensler Belonging Project. On Monday 1 June, Mulberry Academy London Dock proudly launched the Gensler Belonging Project, an exciting new design initiative developed in partnership with Gensler. The project offers students a unique opportunity to design and create their own lampshades inspired by the theme of belonging, encouraging creativity, collaboration and student voice through the design process. The launch began with a special kick-off assembly led by Principal Christopher Harvey, who introduced students to the project and shared the exciting journey ahead. Students also had the opportunity to visit the Gensler offices, where they experienced a professional design environment first-hand and gained insight into the work of architects and designers. Through the Gensler Belonging Project, students will work alongside industry professionals, developing creative ideas while building valuable practical design skills. The initiative reflects its commitment to providing meaningful learning experiences that connect the classroom to the wider world and inspire students to explore future pathways within the creative industries. Mulberry Academy London Dock is incredibly grateful to Gensler and all staff supporting the project for making this inspiring opportunity possible for its students, and Mulberry Academy London Dock look forward to seeing the creativity and ideas that emerge throughout the programme. June 1, 2026/