JDO Field Trip: Pasona Group Headquarters

Located in the heart of Tokyo's Chiyoda district, agriculture and staffing corporation Pasona Group sought the help of Kona Designs to connect their company’s product within the day-to-day happenings of its office. The New York-based architectural firm came up with an idea: What if crops and office employees shared a common work space?



Pairing traditional farming techniques with hydroponics, the building’s rooftops sides, and interiors were renovated to accommodate an urban farm unique to Tokyo – and perhaps the world. Over 100 varieties of roses decorate the exterior of the building in the springtime, beans grow beneath indoor benches, and a full-fledged rice paddy flourishes in the lobby as seasonal produce is harvested from the roof and balconies. LEDs supplement natural light, allowing edible greens to be grown in offices and conference rooms. The harvest is then collected, prepared, and served to employees in the company cafeteria.

The result has been a workplace that has achieved a level of praxis most companies – creative or utilitarian – merely strive for. 43,000 square feet (or twenty percent of the entire building) became a beautiful, functioning green space. connecting busy office bees to the reality other end of the phone line, while providing physical and mental sustenance to survive their workweek.







Source: Atlas Obscura

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