SUN CITY TOWER KOBE
BAR Architects

This (as yet) unbuilt project was expected to be the largest urban senior residence in the world at this point in its development. The 794,000 gsf complex included 645 independent living and 78 skilled nursing units in a  45-story tower with podium. The luxury facility was designed to create an environment for active Japanese seniors that would be residential in character and provide residents with amenities and services equivalent to a five-star hotel.


  The tower houses the independent living units and The Skyview Restaurant.

The skilled nursing units are located in the six-story podium.

Social amenities include various lounges, library, atelier, mahjong, karaoke, billiards and a 500-seat auditorium for events, dancing or wellness classes. Fitness amenities include pools, spa, exercise, and massage rooms. Gardens are generously spread over multiple levels .

Parking for 181 vehicles is provided below grade.


  The tower is zoned with larger, premium residential units located at the outside corners and "lantern" section at the upper third. The Skyview Restaurant is in the top two floors.

  The tower will create a landmark property along the Kobe waterfront, serving as the client's flagship project in the Kansai market.

  The design was developed and documented in Building Information Modeling software (Archicad). I was part of the design and modeling and team.

  The plan drawings were composited from BIM plan views and hand-renderings by the landscape architect.

   

   

  I massaged floor plans to make sure that unit sizes, counts, and distribution matched program requirements.

 

  The BIM software facilitated tracking the programmed spaces, floor areas, and unit mix as the design developed. I managed the "I" in the building information model.