Designing the Future: Transformative Workspaces Shaping Cities and Lives
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Workplace design transcends aesthetics. It stands as a dynamic force shaping our urban landscapes, enriching employee well-being, and forging connections between urban and rural life. In this article, I want to showcase noteworthy workplaces that embody this transformative potential, exemplifying their role as catalysts for a more harmonious and sustainable future.
Pasona
Tokyo, Japan
On the 13th floor of its headquarters in the heart of Tokyo, Pasona Group has taken a rather unconventional approach by housing pigs, cows, goats, and silkie chickens. This unique setup within an office building has garnered significant attention and served as a poignant reminder of the concerning decline in Japan’s dairy farming industry. To put it into perspective, there are currently only 10,510 dairy farms in Japan, a mere 20th of the number from four decades ago.
Since the audacious move of creating a rice paddy in the basement of a Tokyo office tower back in 2005, this Japanese recruitment firm has been on a mission to inspire young Japanese individuals to take an interest in agriculture through urban farming experiments.
This endeavor is increasingly urgent given that a staggering two-thirds of the country’s 1.9 million farmers are aged 65 or older. In response, Pasona has expanded its efforts, now operating a small farm in western Japan for training programs and business seminars. Furthermore, they facilitate the placement of thousands of interns with family-run farms and agricultural cooperatives across the nation.
RDC-S111
Long Beach, California
In 2017, Studio One Eleven teamed up with the Retail Design Collaborative, forming RDC-S111, to transform a vacant department store into our new headquarters. This move has not only brought life to the neighborhood but has also positively impacted local struggling businesses by attracting 150 employees to the area.
The smart design of the headquarters, which includes dedicated office spaces donated to local non-profits, has not only benefited the community but also increased foot traffic. The building’s corners were designated for restaurants, adding to the overall appeal.
Adjacent to the headquarters, a former service dock has been transformed into an urban garden, serving as a gathering place for the community. Additionally, an indoor gallery space has become a popular spot for the public to visit.
Following the relocation, a wave of new businesses has sprung up in the vicinity, and today, this once-overlooked stretch of Long Beach is teeming with newfound vitality at the street level.
Art 1 Office
Athens, Greece
Founded in 2015 by Ryan Neiheiser and Xristina Argyros, Neiheiser Argyros has offices in both London and Athens. Their remarkable work includes the transformation of a 40-year-old office building into the Art 1 Office for developer Hellenic Properties.
The project involved stripping the old building down to its structure and giving it a modern makeover. At the top of the building, they added a green roof and circular pergola. These not only look great but also provide outdoor spaces for work and relaxation, including a bar and a large event area for gatherings.
What sets the Art 1 Office apart is its commitment to sustainability. Neiheiser Argyros used energy-efficient insulation and windows, along with locally sourced materials to reduce its carbon footprint. They also incorporated low-energy systems for heating, cooling, and electricity.
For those who commute sustainably, the building offers electric vehicle charging stations and bike parking. Moreover, the rooftop features integrated solar panels, which help the building achieve the highest local energy efficiency rating, Grade A+.
Mykita
Berlin, Germany
The Berlin-based eyewear brand Mykita challenges the conventional idea that manufacturing must be located far from the city center. Since its inception, the company has maintained its production right in the heart of the city, and today it boasts an annual revenue of over €40 million.
In 2014, when Mykita moved from Mitte to Kreuzberg, they acquired a stunning five-story neoclassical building with a charming central courtyard. They transformed this space into the Mykita Haus, which serves as both their headquarters and a manufacturing facility. Currently, it’s home to 290 employees working across more than 14 departments, producing an impressive 600 pairs of glasses daily. Moreover, the company has opened its doors to other fashion and design firms by renting out space in the building.
Businesses like Mykita exemplify how a company’s headquarters can also be a hub for production, offering employees a better quality of life and more pleasant commutes, often just a short walk away. We could benefit from more companies adopting this approach, alongside more flexible zoning laws.
