Yoko Komatsu and Hajime Tokura · CLIENT: Grand Green Osaka JV Group
Located in Grand Green Osaka, this biomorphic bench is a 16 meter monumental seating system crafted from Japanese oak. The project utilizes advanced digital fabrication to assemble over 6,000 individual parts into 29 organic units. A proprietary concealed joint system successfully hides all metal fasteners. This sculptural public furniture merges traditional manual craftsmanship with parametric computational design, functioning seamlessly as both a relaxing bench and a vibrant planter within the lobby space.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This 16-meter long furniture bridges the boundary between a static office lobby and a lush urban park. The design process fused analog and digital techniques: organic forms created by hand-molded clay models were 3D-scanned to capture vitality that computational design alone cannot produce. Crafted from 100 percent domestic Japanese oak using precision computer numerical control cutting, the structure conceals all metal joints, creating a seamless, life-like wooden landscape.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Dimensions: Total Length 16,000 mm. The structure is composed of vertically laminated plywood panels utilizing domestic Japanese oak. It functions as both a large-scale public bench and a planter. The modular units were precision-cut in the factory and assembled on-site to achieve millimeter-level accuracy across the massive 16-meter span. The design adheres to strict safety standards.
- Tags
- Biomorphic Design, Public Furniture, Japanese Oak, Digital Fabrication, Parametric Design, Office Lobby, Wellness, Sustainable Design, Wood Craft, Bench
- Production Technology
- The project is constructed from 100 percent domestic Japanese oak laminated panels. To handle the high density of oak and prevent grain tear-out during computer numerical control fabrication, the engineering team developed custom cutting tools and parameters. A key innovation is the concealed joint system featuring rotating wooden rings to cover assembly bolts, ensuring a seamless pure wood aesthetic without visible metal parts. Over 6,000 intricately milled parts were hand-finished.
- Design Challenge
- The main challenge was translating the hand-molded clay's organic warmth into digital data. Initial 3D scans contained noise, making precise modeling of over 6,000 parts impossible. This was overcome by using parametric algorithms to extract and smooth cross-sections. Furthermore, to bypass the CNC milling risks of hard Japanese oak and ensure structural safety, rigorous full-scale prototyping was conducted, successfully fusing analog craftsmanship with advanced digital manufacturing.
- Project Duration
- The project was completed in May 2025. It is installed at the Park Tower lobby, Grand Green Osaka, located at 5-54 Ofukacho, Kita-ku, Osaka, Japan.
- Operation Flow
- Designed for the lobby of a high-rise, this bench bridges the gap between the office environment and the adjacent park. Users can sit, recline, or wait, experiencing the warmth of wood. The floating organic form invites touch and offers a surprisingly soft seating experience, described by users as being embraced. It functions as a biophilic element that alleviates stress for office workers and visitors, providing a moment of tranquility.
- Research
- Research Objectives: To connect a static lobby with a dynamic park. Methodology and Data Collection: The project utilized an analog-to-digital translation. Clay models were hand-sculpted to verify comfort and volume, then 3D-scanned. Results: This captured organic irregularities lost in pure computation. Full-scale prototyping verified strict safety standards. Insights and Impacts: The project demonstrates how digital fabrication can preserve human touch using underused domestic hardwood.
- Inspiration
- Inspired by the unique context of Grand Green Osaka, where a vast urban park meets a sophisticated office tower, the goal was to bring the vitality of nature indoors and to bridge the boundary between the static lobby and the dynamic greenery outside. Inspiration was drawn from analog processes, using hand-molded clay models to capture organic warmth and complex undulations that computational design alone cannot produce, offering a moment of healing to busy office workers.
- Image Credits
- Image #1: Creator KOKUYO Co., Ltd., GGO Biomorphic, 2025.
Image #2: Photographer Hayato Kurobe, GGO Biomorphic, 2025.
Image #3: Photographer Hayato Kurobe, GGO Biomorphic, 2025.
Image #4: Photographer Hayato Kurobe, GGO Biomorphic, 2025.
Image #5: Creator KOKUYO Co., Ltd., GGO Biomorphic, 2025. - Patents
- Copyrights belong to KOKUYO Co., Ltd., 2025.
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