We took on the challenge of going against common sense, which at the time was represented by a nine-story building using up the entire site with a “height limitation of 31 meters.” This was how the Kasumigaseki Building, a 36-story building completed in 1968, became the first skyscraper in Japan. Due to the realization of building skyscrapers, we were able to create a space of approximately 10,000m², equivalent to 70% of the site. Green grass was placed in the plaza, which was filled with sunshine and opened to office workers and visitors. This was a redevelopment with a view toward the revitalization of humanity or connection with society, and thus it was a pioneering work that realized “urban redevelopment.”
After a series of “improvements with age,” a significant renovation of the lower portion of the Kasumigaseki Building was completed in the spring of 2009, kicking off the commemoration of its 40th anniversary. Through this renovation, a more enriching and comfortable space was born in the business district of Kasumigaseki.