A#nbsp;news flash this morning on#nbsp;RIA announced the completion of#nbsp;Japan’s tallest skyscraper, the MoriJP Tower, standing at#nbsp;330 meters. At#nbsp;first glance, it#nbsp;appears to#nbsp;be a#nbsp;typical glass building. However, the Azabudai Hills district, where it#nbsp;has been integrated, arouses special interest.
The design of#nbsp;the area began in#nbsp;the late 1980s, and only now has construction been completed. The district covers an#nbsp;area of#nbsp;8 hectares, of#nbsp;which 2.5 hectares are green spaces. This is#nbsp;almost in#nbsp;the center of#nbsp;ultra-compact Tokyo!
Another feature is#nbsp;the nature of#nbsp;the constructions. Despite the hypertrophied volumes of#nbsp;the framework enveloping the district’s central street, it#nbsp;does not create a#nbsp;feeling of#nbsp;kitsch. On#nbsp;the contrary, it#nbsp;generalizes the architecture and softly levels the transition from skyscrapers to#nbsp;low-rise buildings.
Overall, maintaining an#nbsp;adequate compositional balance between skyscrapers and low-rise buildings is#nbsp;a#nbsp;very challenging task. Azabudai Hills is#nbsp;a#nbsp;good example of#nbsp;how this challenge can and should be#nbsp;addressed.