Competition is becoming ever more steep among coworking providers – especially in the Asia Pacific region. Recent research by JLL has revealed that demand for flexible offices – including coworking spaces and serviced offices – is growing faster in APAC than anywhere else in the world. Floor space in our region is growing at 35.7 per cent per year, says JLL, as opposed to 25.7 per cent in the US and 21.6 per cent in Europe.

The resulting competitiveness in the market makes the delivery of core aspects of the coworking agenda – such as the fostering of a sense of community for the users of coworking properties, and the fostering of business opportunities for them – more important than ever if coworking brands are to stand out from the pack.

Coworking platform Garage Society, which has four locations in Hong Kong and a further three in Southeast Asia (and expansion plans), has teamed up with urban farming outfit Rooftop Republic to offer an urban farming opportunity in central Hong Kong. On the 2,000-square-foot outdoor terrace of Garage Society’s Wan Chai branch, members of Garage Society as well as members of the public are invited to participate in a three-month-long urban farming program (for a fee).

The initiative was launched on Friday 27 July on the fourth-floor terrace of Beverly House in Lockhart Road with a cocktail-making event using herbs from the garden. Mixologist Jay Khan from Mexican-inspired bar COA provided demonstrations.

Participants in the three-month program will be able to attend urban farming workshops every second Friday with Rooftop Republic, as well as other events such as cooking classes, film screenings, seminars and workshops about sustainability and the food industry.

Images courtesy of Garage Society.