Kobe Port Tower
Kobe Port Tower, nicknamed the Steel Tower Beauty, is a hyperboloid tower in the port city of Kobe, Japan. When it was completed in 1963 it was the world’s first building featuring a pipe lattice structure.
Designed by the Nikken Sekkei Company, the tower’s unique shape was inspired by a tsuzumi, a traditional Japanese drum. It is 108 m tall, and comprises 8 layers, the top being a 360-degree observation deck which is open to tourists and provides impressive views of Kobe.
The main structure of the tower is painted a burnt orange colour, surrounded by 32 red steel staves.
The tower was closed for renovation in 2009-2010, during which time 7,000 LED lights were installed which are illuminated at night.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
Your views needed - a strategy for the professions, trades and occupations.
Confronting competency, codes, capacity and costs.
The hidden risk in modern construction supply chains.
Construction Management, 10 June
24 months to 14: CITB launches accelerated apprenticeships.
Bridging the gap between clients and contractors
Concerns remain around contractor quality, capability, and delivery.
Construction Management, 10 June.
Heat pumps beat boilers in new home tests.
Building Safety Act implementation in Wales
CIAT to host industry panel on 26 June.
New and updated CLC building safety guidance.
New UK National Buildings Database.
Building Safety Wiki Interviews
Chief executive of the British Woodworking Federation.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief explanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.