Osaka Fukoku Seimei Building, Contemporary skyscraper in Kita-ku, Japan.
The Osaka Fukoku Seimei Building is a skyscraper in the Kita-ku district of Osaka, Japan, covered entirely in a glass outer skin made of geometric panels. The tower serves primarily as office space for corporations and connects directly to the local transit network below.
The building was completed in 2010, designed by French architect Dominique Perrault together with Japanese construction firm Shimizu Corporation. It was built during a period when Osaka was actively adding new towers to its central business district.
The name Fukoku Seimei comes from a Japanese life insurance company whose name translates roughly to "enrich the country and its people." The tower's glass skin reflects the sky and nearby buildings, giving it a different look depending on the time of day.
The building sits close to several subway and train connections, making it easy to reach without a car. The surrounding streets are full of shops and restaurants, so it is a practical stop to combine with other places in the area.
The glass panels on the facade can automatically shift how much light they let through depending on how bright the sun is. This means the tower never looks exactly the same twice from the outside as the day progresses.
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