THE GATETOWER BUILDING
Name: Gate Tower Building
Location: Fukushima-ku, Osaka, Japan
Height: 71.9 meters
Floors: 16 floors (plus two basement levels)
Completion: 1992
Architects: Azusa Sekkei and Yamamoto-
Nishihara Kenchiku Sekkei Jimush
Material: Reinforced concrete and steel
Unique Feature: Highway off-ramp passes
through the building
OVERVIEW
The Gate Tower Building is a unique 16-story
office building located in Osaka, Japan,
renowned for its distinctive feature where a
highway off-ramp from the Hanshin Expressway
system passes directly through it. This
innovative design integrates urban
infrastructure with commercial space, setting it
apart as a marvel of modern engineering and
urban planning.
Structural Details:
Height and Materials: Standing 71.9
meters tall, the building is constructed
from reinforced concrete and steel,
ensuring robustness and durability.
Additionally, it is equipped with a
helipad on the roof, enhancing its
functionality for emergency and special
uses.
Highway Passage: The expressway
passes through the building between
the 5th and 7th floors. These floors are
designated as the highway's "tenants,"
meaning the highway effectively rents
these floors. However, the highway
itself does not make physical contact
with the building but is instead
supported by external structures. This
bridge-like design ensures that the
integrity of the building remains intact.
Protective Measures: To shield the
building from noise and vibrations
caused by the highway traffic, the
highway is enclosed in a special casing.
This protective structure ensures that
the building's occupants experience
minimal disruption despite the unique
integration with the highway.
Historical Background:
Initial Land Purchase: The land on
which the building stands was originally
acquired by a wood and charcoal
business in the mid-19th century.
Redevelopment Efforts: In 1983, the
landowners sought to redevelop the
site. However, their plans were halted
when the Japanese government refused
building permits because the Hanshin
Expressway was planned to run through
that exact location.
Negotiations: Undeterred, the property
rights holders entered into a prolonged
negotiation with the Hanshin
Expressway Corporation. Over five
years, they worked towards a
compromise that would allow both the
highway and the building to coexist. The
resulting agreement led to the highway
passing through the building.
Design Adjustments:
Elevator System: One of the significant
design changes involved modifying the
building's elevator system. The
elevators are programmed to skip the
5th to 7th floors where the highway
passes, moving directly from the 4th to
the 8th floor.
Sound Insulation: To further enhance
comfort for the building's occupants,
sound insulating walls were installed.
These walls effectively minimize the
noise impact from the highway
Conclusion:
The Gate Tower Building stands as a testament
to innovative urban solutions, demonstrating
how infrastructure and commercial
development can be harmoniously integrated.
Its unique design and historical significance
make it a notable example of modern
engineering, legal ingenuity, and collaborative
planning.
