In the Shinko Pier West (No. 1 Pier Base) Redevelopment Project, a project to commemorate the 150^th anniversary of the opening of Kobe Port that was conducted as a complex urban development combining culture, commerce, business, and residences, the residential functions are fulfilled by these twin towers.
As a participant from support operations for the consortium that participated in the City of Kobe’s public tender for enterprises, we prepared the master plan and design guidelines for the entire redevelopment after the consortium was selected, and we were also engaged as the design architects for these twin towers, giving us heavy involvement in this project.

When people picture Kobe in their mind, most of them probably imagine the scenery from the sea, often as an evening view. A new town has come to life at the Shinko Pier West No. 1 Pier Base, close to the “face of Kobe” in Kobe Port Tower and Meriken Park. Symbolic of the distant view of this new town are the twin towers of Baycity Towers Kobe West and East.

In the same way that the city of Kobe has a grand north-south axis running from Mount Rokko to Osaka Bay, we planned the volume of the twin towers to be oriented towards the sea, with the end faces to the north and south. This shape derives from consideration of the landscape unique to Kobe to secure views from both the bay and the mountains. The extensive facades on the east and west sides created as a by-product of this consideration of the landscape are broken up asymmetrically with mullions and slits to produce a stylish impression, also giving a stronger directionality toward the sea. The crowns of the towers, which connect to the Kobe sky, have “sails” that trace dynamic curves on the mullions likened to masts, creating an image of leading the new city forward. The masts and sails are enveloped in light to give new decoration to night views of Kobe. The residence entrance halls each have a generous breadth with a dynamic two-level atrium that suits the area, and we made each a space with characteristics typical of Kobe, contrasting the sea in the west tower with the forests in the east tower.

We sincerely hope to contribute to the landscape of Kobe, so that people will also imagine these towers when picturing the scenery of Kobe in their minds.