I'm still enjoying this "surfing on a very wild wave"

Hiroki Matsura— CEO of MADMA urbanism+landscape, MASA architects, about his experience in In Russia, about the evolution of the importance of architecture in the urban environment and how to prolong the life of modern architecture. An exclusive interview in preparation for the 100+ Forum Russia.

— In multiple publications, you are represented as an architect, urban planner, designer, businessman, teacher — which of these is the most important thing for you now? What kind of manifestation?

The most exciting role for me is "Designing our environment". Whether it's architecture, interior, object, landscape or urban space, it's not that important to me. The difference between them is only in the scale and methods.

— In one of your interviews, you said that you are guided by a single principle in all your projects, be it architecture, urban planning or landscape design. What is this principle. How did it manifest itself in different projects?

Inevitably, there is a need for functional "problem solving" regardless of the project category in this profession. To be able to do this, you first need to understand the essence of the problem well, often it does not lie on the surface. However, in our profession, this is a minimum duty. My goal in all projects is to create added value beyond the requirements of the projects. This manifests itself in different ways in each project, depending on their unique features and context.

— You told a story from your professional practice when a very large developer approached you with a request to build a huge shopping mall in a residential area. And you had to painfully explain to him for a long time that from a professional point of view such a construction is not only not advisable, but also harmful. How did this story end? And what principles do you follow in your work as an architect?

I must say that I am not opposed to large shopping malls, because under certain circumstances they are vital. But I often advise my clients to be careful and sensitive to large shopping center projects because of their nature - they reduce the proportion of a variety of small local commercial outlets and, as a result, reduce the potential of an urban environment in which to walk or ride anything. However, the availability of large shopping malls in the city does not depend on developers and investors. This is a matter of municipal government. The authorities should establish proper rules and guidelines for such facilities.

— What criteria should high-quality designed common areas meet for you personally?

They should be functional, environmentally friendly, and mysterious. But for me, the most important criterion is that they should inspire.

— Do you have any work experience in Of Russia. How do you rate it? What are the main disadvantages and main advantages?

I would say that it is impossible to work in Of course, if you don't have a "flexible mind", as there are often surprises and unexpected changes in the situation around the project, even in terms of small daily events such as appointment meetings. However, I still enjoy this "surfing on a very wild wave". The disadvantage is often the lack of transparency of the processes and the lack of time for both design and construction. The advantage lies in quick and simple decision-making compared to the European one, which is often overly democratic and slow.

— Can you name any examples of successful public spaces in Russia?

Sorry, I'm only giving examples from Moscow. Boulevard Ring, Patriarch's Ponds, Red Square, Alexander Garden, Gorky Park, Stanislavsky Factory.

— What do you think: should an urban planner, the author of a public space project, continue to track its fate? Follow the life of the project after its completion?

Of course, ideally this should happen. But it is unlikely that this happens simply because the author's voluntary desire is not enough for this. To make this post-care role of the facility long-term, it must be provided/entrusted to the architect by local authorities.

— Are you following what is happening in the Skolkovo Central Park, which was made according to your project?

For the above reason, I cannot take on this role.

— The topic of your lecture at the 100+ Forum Russia is "The evolution of the importance of architecture in the urban environment." Can you briefly describe this evolution? And what is the role of an architect today?

Nowadays, it no longer makes sense to discuss architecture as a separate independent activity in the style of a "beauty contest". The architecture of our time and the near future must solve several important tasks in the urban environment, such as:

• DENSITY — work with mass migration to urban areas;
• ENVIRONMENT — making buildings environmentally friendly;
• RENOVATION — work with a large number of existing construction assets;
• URBAN COMFORT is to help ensure that the building and its surrounding area are useful to the city and society.;
• REGENERATION — so that the building helps to revitalize the surrounding space.

— Among modern architects, including Russian ones, there is an opinion that the life span of architecture has changed. Previously, the architect who saw the demolition of his building was an exception. Now architects are taught that what they create must somehow live, transform and die, that architecture should not be able to age. Do you agree with this opinion?

The service life of architecture has become much shorter, without a doubt, whether we want it or not. In addition, the diversity increases and the "metabolism" of the functional use of buildings accelerates. These two factors together tell us that modern architects should include a certain flexibility in the design program of a building, as well as consider how it will be dismantled from the start.

But we all know that one of the most effective ways to prolong the life of architectural objects is to create beautiful iconic objects that people will appreciate and make efforts to preserve. Of course, even iconic objects may not always be able to escape death, but this is precisely the architect's hope and dream.

— In several architectural competitions in Russia, where you presented joint projects, you were the second. And at the same time they did not change their mind and did not leave the Of Russia. Imagine that many architects will read this interview, what can you advise them? How to survive defeats and move on?

I am actively working in In Russia over the past 12 years, and indeed, we have had several second prizes at international competitions (by the way, there are also several first prizes). But these facts don't mean much to me. What is important to me is that in Russia has a huge number of interesting opportunities and ambitious projects, and I still feel that we are not investing enough of our strength and energy in them. I still have a burning desire to work in Of Russia. I don't even have time to think about giving up. And I don't want to give advice, because I'm just doing what I believe in.