WHO centre building to be designed by Kenzo Tange

(March 18, 1996) -- IHD Center Co., Ltd., has commissioned the renowned 
architectural firm, Kenzo Tange Associates, to design the IHD Center Building 
in Kobe.  The new building is hoped to serve as a place of international 
exchange, as well as promote Kobe's reconstruction from the Great 
Hanshin Earthquake. 

IHD Center Co. is a management company formed by Hyogo Prefecture, the 
city of Kobe and eight companies led by Kobe Steel.  The purpose of the 
company is to construct and manage an intelligent building that will house 
the WHO Centre for Health Development.  

Design work by Kenzo Tange Associates is to be undertaken from March to 
June.  Groundbreaking is planned to start in June.  In April 1998, the 
building is anticipated to be ready for use.  

The IHD Center Building will be constructed in the Wakinohama-Iwaya area 
slated for redevelopment in what is called the Eastern Kobe New Urban Center 
Project.  It is considered to be a leading project in the reconstruction of
Kobe following the Great Hanshin Earthquake.  

Kenzo Tange Associates is noted for designing the Tokyo metropolitan 
government office building, Shinjuku Park Tower and the United Nations 
University buildings.

                                  # # #

For further information, please contact: 
Gary Tsuchida, Publicity Dept.
Kobe Steel, Ltd., Tokyo
E-mail  www-admin@kobelco.co.jp
Tel  (03) 3218-6055
Fax  (03) 5252-7961

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