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Background

The Osaka World Trade Center Building "Cosmo Tower" and the Asia & Pacific Trade Center "ATC" form the nucleus of a new city subcenter taking shape at northern Nanko, a new reclamation area on Osaka's west side. The development is part of the Technoport Osaka Project, and its facilities will be fully equipped to function as a center for international trade, conventions and the development of advanced technology, creating a vital new center in Osaka.

As the centerpiece of the775-hectare ( 1914.25 acre) Technoport Osaka, the city's new high tech urban development, Csmo Tower is one of the outstanding achievements in a high-rise building design today. located on the edge of a recently reclaimed island and part of the Cosmo Square business district within Osaka bay, the 256-meter tower tower is the second highest building in Japan.

Designed by a team led by senior architect Toshinori Teramto, the center also caters to the public by offering a variety of services and amenities that include an observation deck on the fifty-fifth floor, in an inverted pyramidal volume, which is rotated at 45 degrees relative to the rest of the building. Visitors arrive by shuttle elevators that whisk them to the fifty-second floor, where the Alta Vista seminar and exhibition room, restaurants, and a coffee shop are located; from the fifty-third floor a 42 meter escaaltor takes them to the top of the Bay observation deck that affords 360 degree panoramic views of Osaka and its vicinity. the raised central part of the square space is arranged as a refreshment and drink bar. Additional public facilities include the WTCO Club, outfitted with a Japanese tea room; a banquet and wedding hall; and several restaurants, such as the World Buffet.

Basic data:

Location: Osaka, Japan

Architect: Nikken Sekkei

Area heated: approximately 21 ha

Supply capacity: approximately 750,000m²

Heat supply started: 1994

Osaka World Trade Center Building "Cosmo Tower"

Total Floor Area: 150,000m²

Structure: 52 stories and 3 basement, 256 m high

Completion: 1995

Major Function: office, shops, restaurants, gallery, hall, car park

Awards: International Illumination Design Award (1996 U.S.A.)

The World Trade Center Building (WTC), also know as the "Cosmotower Building", is aimed at providing business support to foreign corporations who wish to launch a business in Osaka. The following facilities are provided free of charge: private office space equipped with telephone and facsimile for short-term occupancy up to 60days, WTC gallery (a multi-purpose space for exhibitions and seminars) and other supporting services such as trade consultation, arrangement of translation, interpretation and secretarial services.

Asia & Pacific Trade Center "ATC"

Floor Area: 336,000m²

Structure: Steel frame and reinforced concrete

Storey: 12 storey and 2 basement

Awards: International Design Competition [interior design of central atrium] (1995 U.S.A)

The Asia and Pacific Trade Center's (ATC) goal is to extend broader access of foreign products to the Japanese market, importing goods from every corner of the world. ATC intends to emerge as a new interchange of culture, information and economy.
The design incorporates a 25-foot grade change over the 1,800-foot waterfront. From the upper terraces to the waterfront, a step-and ramp system provides distinctive overlooks, fountains and eating areas. Other features include a formal amphitheater, outdoor pavilions, a weather-protected conservatory/cafe and an array of gardens and plazas. The waterfront promenade extends one-third of a mile, connecting the amphitheater with a moontower.
The ATC consists of two facilities. The International Trade Mart (ITM), a 12-story building with a basement and a total area of 262,000 m², is the world's largest international wholesale mart and information resource center. It includes facilities for import promotion and large exhibition halls, and as it has been designated a Foreign Access Zone, it is Japan's first tax-free import zone.
Another facility is O's, the amenity zone. It contains various facilities such as ethnic restaurants, an amusement center, and a large seaside park area.

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Fespa, a 3000 square meter atrium and event space surrounded by retail and amusement facilities on three levels serves as the entrance to the high-rise building. By way of a system of elevated pedestrain walkways and a covered bridge across a major road, Fespa also connects Cosmo Tower to other parts of the large-scale urban development, including the Aisa and Pacific trade Center, and the waterfront areas beyond. the high-tech mechanical rooms are located underground, where parking for 800 cars is provided.

Four stages of typical