Who We Are
Bridging botany and built environments
Our Foundation
Progella emerged from a straightforward observation: most commercial spaces treat plants as decorative afterthoughts rather than integrated systems. We saw organizations purchasing impressive specimens only to watch them decline within months due to fundamental mismatches between plant requirements and environmental realities.
Our practice developed around addressing this gap. We combine horticultural knowledge—understanding what plants actually need to survive—with spatial analysis that acknowledges the constraints and opportunities of commercial interiors. This dual perspective allows us to create greening strategies that function rather than merely look appealing in initial renderings.
How We Work
Our consultancy process begins with environmental assessment rather than aesthetic preferences. We measure light levels using photometers, document temperature fluctuations, observe air movement patterns, and note existing maintenance practices. This empirical foundation prevents the common mistake of selecting plants based on appearance alone.
We then match botanical requirements to measured conditions. Some areas receive sufficient natural light for photosynthesis-intensive species. Others require low-light tolerant varieties. HVAC proximity affects humidity and temperature stability. Foot traffic determines placement constraints. These practical considerations shape our recommendations.
Implementation planning addresses the human systems surrounding plants. Who waters them? How often? What happens during vacations or busy periods? We document care protocols with visual guides, create maintenance schedules aligned with organizational rhythms, and identify early warning signs of stress that non-experts can recognize.
Our Approach to Knowledge
We view biophilic design as an applied discipline requiring ongoing learning. Plant behavior in controlled greenhouse environments differs substantially from performance in office buildings. HVAC systems, artificial lighting schedules, and human activity patterns create unique conditions that textbook recommendations don't always address.
Our team maintains relationships with botanical gardens, horticultural researchers, and facility managers who share practical insights. We document what works—and what fails—across different building types, climate zones, and organizational structures. This accumulated experience informs our recommendations more than theoretical ideals.
We acknowledge uncertainty where it exists. If a proposed approach lacks precedent in similar conditions, we state this clearly and suggest pilot testing. Our value lies in honest assessment rather than confident assertions about untested scenarios.
Values That Guide Our Work
Ecological Honesty
We recommend plants that can genuinely survive in your conditions rather than aspirational species requiring constant intervention. If your space lacks adequate light, we say so. If maintenance capacity appears insufficient, we address this directly. Successful greening requires acknowledging limitations.
Maintenance Realism
Indoor plants require regular attention. We design care systems that acknowledge human behavior patterns—people forget, get busy, go on vacation. Our protocols build in redundancy and early warning systems rather than assuming perfect compliance with maintenance schedules.
Long-Term Thinking
Installation represents the beginning, not the conclusion, of biophilic integration. We consider how plants will grow, how care requirements might change seasonally, and how organizational capacity might evolve. Sustainable greening requires planning beyond initial implementation.
Educational Partnership
We transfer knowledge rather than creating dependency. Our goal is helping organizations develop internal capability for plant care and troubleshooting. This means teaching observation skills, explaining botanical principles, and building confidence in decision-making about plant health.
Why Organizations Work With Us
Clients typically engage us when previous greening attempts have failed or when they want to avoid common pitfalls before initial investment. They value our willingness to say "this won't work" when conditions don't support proposed plans. Our assessments prevent expensive mistakes and create realistic expectations.
Organizations appreciate that we consider their operational realities—maintenance budgets, staff capacity, building systems—rather than imposing idealized visions that ignore constraints. We design within what's actually feasible, which creates sustainable outcomes.
The biophilic workspace movement offers genuine benefits when implemented thoughtfully. Our role is ensuring that enthusiasm translates into functioning systems rather than photogenic installations that require replacement within a year. This practical focus serves both plants and the people working among them.