Kobe Shimbun Hanshin Production Center

Fitted-out with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, Kobe Shimbun's satellite printing plant has been completed in Nishinomiya Industrial Park. A wide green carpet without any fences greets visitors to this plant, which is a broadcast base for information opened up for the area. Consideration was made for the conditions of the site, including the highway, plants and warehouses, with the building built to withstand loud noises, shaking and other natural concerns such as high tides and earthquakes. The site layout has the closed-off industrial zone located on the northern side, corridors running through the building east to west, with stairways leading to offices and the welfare zone on the second and third floors at the southern side, and loading bays located underneath in a three-dimensional design. The only peaceful space in the plant can be found in the cafeteria, conference rooms and the third floor terrace which can be used together. Client: Kobe Shimbunsha Co., Ltd. Location: 3-31 Nishinomiyahama, Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture Design: Takenaka Corporation Construction: Takenaka Corporation jointly with one other company Structure: Reinforced concrete Number of floors: 3 floors above ground Total floor space: 5,449 m2

The Nest

Construction has been completed of "The Nest," an annex to an existing high-class hotel in the Arai Mountain & Snow-Park Ski Resort, well known for its high annual snowfall. This annex was designed to have a high degree of privacy. The first and second floor forum space area has the capacity for 100 people, done out with a gigantic bamboo cage and finishing carpentry made from maple trees cut down from the site. The guest rooms use authentic and pure materials of American pine and oak, creating a peaceful space making the most of these natural materials. The exterior of the building uses stones and blast tiles, and the building is given a strong expression by using wooden airtight window frames. Client: Arai Resort Development Co., Ltd. Location: 1966 Ryozenji, Arai City, Niigata Prefecture Design : Takenaka Corporation (Design of the forum space: Terunobu Fujimori) Construction: Takenaka Corporation Structure: Steel-framed reinforced concrete Number of floors: 1 fl. below and 5 fl. above ground Total floor space: 2,593 m2

Takamatsu Chuo High School Administration Building & Gymnasium

In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Takamatsu Chuo High School that was founded in 1899, the school's administration building and gymnasium were rebuilt. The outstanding features of this building is the cage-shaped construction with diagonal grating columns, enabling the gymnasium to be built as a space without columns, and the construction was inexpensive and has good earthquake-resistant properties. The school covers a large area, and is one of the focal points of the community, so some open space was kept at the front of the building where a monument by the sculptor Masayuki Nagare was placed. The building gives the feeling of being translucent, symbolizing the desire to be positively part of the local community. The "Lift-Up Method" was used in the construction of the arena roof frame, aiming at reducing the time required for the work, while giving priority to safety. Client: Takamatsu Chuo High School Design: Plantec Co., Ltd. Construction: Takenaka Corporation Structure: Steel Number of floors: 4 floors above ground Total floor space: 5,511 m2

Tea Ceremony Park and Art Gallery

In order to express the primary aim of the building, that is to be used for collections, the "Hida region store room" design was used, as expressed in the simple materials such as lime plaster, wood sliding walls and tile roof. The design was required by the harsh climate of the region. These materials were used in the interior and exterior of the building, and a single wood sliding wall was inserted between the adjoining tea ceremony room and the art gallery to define the art gallery area. Methods were used to reduce as far as possible elements that would isolate the area between, giving a sense of flow throughout the building, and producing a feeling of "harmony" within the simplicity. Client: Hida Niwaishi Co., Ltd. Location: 1074-1 Chijimamachi, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture Design & Construction: Takenaka Corporation Structure: Reinforced concrete Number of floors: 2 floors above ground Total floor space: 1,213 m2

Kanzanji Ropeway Ohkusayama Station Building & Observation Tower

With the rebuilding of Ohkusayama Station Building of the Kanzanji Ropeway, which travels across Lake Hamanako, it was decided to build the "Hamanako Music Box Museum." This building, the design of which is a blend of mountain lodge, church and old castle, was designed to harmonize with the natural beauty of Ohkusayama while also having a unique look. The museum is surrounded by a large wall, has a two-story atrium, and by using the contrast of light and shadows, provides a relaxing environment for looking through the music box collection. The observation tower is a glass tower with handrails which provides a 360-degree view of the surrounding wide area. Client: Ensyu Railway Co., Ltd. Location: 1768-1 Kurematsu-cho, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture Design & Construction: Takenaka Corporation Structure: Reinforced concrete, Steel Number of floors: 1 fl. below and 3 fl. above ground Total floor space: 222m2(station building), 1,028m2 (observation tower)

Konan University Building 18 (Counseling Center)

Konan University Building 18 consists of research facilities for postgraduate humanities students. The first floor contains student care facilities such as "Student Counseling Rooms" and a "Counseling Room" for psychological clinical testing therapy for visitors. The research rooms are located on the second and third floors. In order to give the building a feeling of openness because it is located in a residential area, it was designed in a square, patio shape. The height of the mountain side of the building was kept low so the trees could be viewed from the patio. Water and light shimmer in the basin on the patio, while the relaxing sound of the trees can be heard. The basin is a mirror reflecting the trees, the sky, people and oneself. Client: Konan Gakuen Location: 8-9-1 Okamoto, Higashinada-ku, Kobe City Design & Construction: Takenaka Corporation Structure: Reinforced concrete Number of floors: 3 floors above ground Total floor space: 3,109 m2