Augmented Ecosystem Green Space 'Green Pool' Launched in Azabudai Hills
SynecO Inc. has established 'Green Pool,' an augmented ecosystem green space utilizing AI, in Azabudai Hills, operated by Mori Building. This is a significant project that contributes to urban sustainability by attempting to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services in urban spaces.
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- 📰 Published: May 14, 2026 at 22:00
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SynecO Inc. will construct and begin operation of an augmented ecosystem green space, 'Green Pool,' at Azabudai Hills, managed and operated by Mori Building Co., Ltd. This project is based on a demonstration experiment conducted from 2019 to 2025 by Sony Computer Science Laboratories Inc. and Syneco-Culture Association on the rooftop garden of the Roppongi Hills Keyakizaka Complex, also managed and operated by Mori Building Co., Ltd.
(October 2019 Mori Building Co., Ltd. Sony Computer Science Laboratories Inc. Press Release)
What is an Augmented Ecosystem?
In urban environments undergoing high-density and high-functionalization, the relationship with nature is at a major turning point. Beyond the conservation of biodiversity, how to strategically and functionally utilize the diverse functions of ecosystems (ecosystem services) within urban spaces and link them to social and economic value is a crucial theme for future sustainable urban development.
The augmented ecosystem (Note 1) that SynecO is working on refers to a state where ecosystem functions are enhanced for various purposes, surpassing the natural state through active human intervention. It is an approach that positively involves human activities in the complex process of ecosystem self-organization, while utilizing technologies such as AI. Research has shown that by primarily utilizing plants that fundamentally support the ecosystem, the activity of soil microorganisms can become more diverse and activated than in a natural state, even in artificial environments like building rooftops, thereby demonstrating multifaceted value for food and health.
©Sony CSL
What is 'Green Pool'?
'Green Pool' is a new form of green space that applies the principles of the augmented ecosystem to the urban context.
By scientifically analyzing the interaction networks among diverse organisms such as plants, microorganisms, and animals (insects, birds, etc.), and combining big data of biological species with observation data from the Azabudai Hills site and its surrounding environment, candidate species for introduction were considered. For construction, while taking into account constraints of the urban space such as greening area, approximately 80 species of useful plants with diverse functions, including edible and medicinal uses, have been ultimately introduced on a site of about 60 m².
A diverse vegetation is nurtured through the mixed and dense planting of plants (gene pool), which in turn forms a rich topsoil (geo pool), creating a habitat for various living creatures. At the same time, it aims to become a place where visitors to Azabudai Hills and residents of neighboring areas can discover new ways of relating to and finding meaning in nature in their daily lives and activities.
©SynecO Inc.: Example of Augmented Ecosystem Green Space 'Green Pool' and its interaction network
About SynecO Inc.
SynecO Inc. Website: https://www.syneco.inc/
(Note 1) Augmented Ecosystem
An ecosystem where biodiversity is enhanced beyond its natural state through the intervention of human activities, leading to heightened ecosystem functions and the ability to obtain diverse ecosystem services according to specific objectives. It was scientifically formulated by Masatoshi Funabashi, a researcher at Sony Computer Science Laboratories Inc. (and President & CEO of SynecO Inc.).
(October 2019 Mori Building Co., Ltd. Sony Computer Science Laboratories Inc. Press Release)
What is an Augmented Ecosystem?
In urban environments undergoing high-density and high-functionalization, the relationship with nature is at a major turning point. Beyond the conservation of biodiversity, how to strategically and functionally utilize the diverse functions of ecosystems (ecosystem services) within urban spaces and link them to social and economic value is a crucial theme for future sustainable urban development.
The augmented ecosystem (Note 1) that SynecO is working on refers to a state where ecosystem functions are enhanced for various purposes, surpassing the natural state through active human intervention. It is an approach that positively involves human activities in the complex process of ecosystem self-organization, while utilizing technologies such as AI. Research has shown that by primarily utilizing plants that fundamentally support the ecosystem, the activity of soil microorganisms can become more diverse and activated than in a natural state, even in artificial environments like building rooftops, thereby demonstrating multifaceted value for food and health.
©Sony CSL
What is 'Green Pool'?
'Green Pool' is a new form of green space that applies the principles of the augmented ecosystem to the urban context.
By scientifically analyzing the interaction networks among diverse organisms such as plants, microorganisms, and animals (insects, birds, etc.), and combining big data of biological species with observation data from the Azabudai Hills site and its surrounding environment, candidate species for introduction were considered. For construction, while taking into account constraints of the urban space such as greening area, approximately 80 species of useful plants with diverse functions, including edible and medicinal uses, have been ultimately introduced on a site of about 60 m².
A diverse vegetation is nurtured through the mixed and dense planting of plants (gene pool), which in turn forms a rich topsoil (geo pool), creating a habitat for various living creatures. At the same time, it aims to become a place where visitors to Azabudai Hills and residents of neighboring areas can discover new ways of relating to and finding meaning in nature in their daily lives and activities.
©SynecO Inc.: Example of Augmented Ecosystem Green Space 'Green Pool' and its interaction network
About SynecO Inc.
SynecO Inc. Website: https://www.syneco.inc/
(Note 1) Augmented Ecosystem
An ecosystem where biodiversity is enhanced beyond its natural state through the intervention of human activities, leading to heightened ecosystem functions and the ability to obtain diverse ecosystem services according to specific objectives. It was scientifically formulated by Masatoshi Funabashi, a researcher at Sony Computer Science Laboratories Inc. (and President & CEO of SynecO Inc.).