The Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), a landmark building in Kenya, resembles Gate Tower Building in Fukushima-ku, in downtown Osaka, Japan.
Construction enthusiasts note that the two buildings' structural similarities make them stand out in their towns. The cylinder design and the circular structure on top of the KICC and Gate Tower Building resemble.
However, an Expressway cutting through several floors in the Gate Tower Building in Japan demarcates the two iconic buildings.
In Kenya, the Ksh65 billion Nairobi Expressway is situated meters from KICC.
Structural Similarities
Traditional cultures inspired both KICC and Gate Tower Buildings. KICC, which has 28 floors, was inspired by African culture, similar to Gate Tower Building, which borrowed the design concept from Japanese culture.
A donkey’s penis inspired KICC's cylinder design, as revealed by David Mutiso, one of the architects behind the iconic building. Mutiso worked closely with Norwegian architect Karl Henrik Nøstvik on the project.
Gate Tower Building, with 16 floors, was inspired by the traditional Japanese gate, or torii. According to building architects Azusa Sekkei and Yamamoto-Nishihara Kenchiku Sekkei Jimushō, torii are typically wood and have two pillars supporting a horizontal beam.
Besides the cylinder design, KICC and Gate Tower have circular structures on their apexes. The circular structure on top of KICC is used for various purposes, including serving as a helipad and allowing traders to exhibit their products. Some artists capitalise on the view to shoot videos for their content.
Gate Tower's circular structure is also used to view the Japanese town and produce various artistic content.
Both buildings serve as tourist attraction centres in their respective countries.
Differences Between KICC and Gate Tower
The striking difference between KICC and Gate Tower is the location of the expressway.
Hanshin Expressway passes through Gate Tower Building on the fifth, sixth, and seventh floors. The constructors were compelled to design the building to accommodate the weight of the expressway and vibrations caused by traffic.
In Kenya, Nairobi Expressway is located near KICC, which cuts through University Way to James Gichuru Road in Westlands.
Another difference is that KICC has 28 floors while Gate Tower has 16 floors.
The construction of KICC was completed in 1973, with the opening ceremony in September 1973, presided over by the late former President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
Gate Tower Building in Osaka was completed in 1992, two decades after KICC was opened to the public.
