Long vacant convention center in Gary Indiana.

The scoreboard at the Genesis Convention Center in Gary, Indiana.

The Genesis Convention Center in Gary Indiana.

Tokyo Big Sight—officially known as the Tokyo International Exhibition Center—is Japan’s largest convention and exhibition complex, located in the Ariake district on the western edge of Tokyo Bay. Opened in 1996, the complex is best known for its iconic Conference Tower, composed of four massive inverted pyramids clad in reflective titanium panels that shimmer under changing light.

The architectural design, by AXS Satow, integrates advanced engineering with postmodern geometric motifs, balancing the heavy concrete and steel structure with triangular glass façades and intricate diamond-patterned surfaces. Standing 58 meters tall, the Conference Tower houses international meeting halls, press facilities, and observation decks overlooking Odaiba and the Rainbow Bridge.

Tokyo Big Sight regularly hosts global-scale events such as the Tokyo Motor Show, Comiket, and international technology expos, serving as a central hub for commerce and culture in modern Japan. The design reflects both the futuristic optimism of the 1990s and Tokyo’s ongoing commitment to bold, large-scale civic architecture.

Tokyo Big Sight—officially the Tokyo International Exhibition Center—stands out with its striking inverted-pyramid conference towers, a landmark of the Odaiba and Ariake waterfront districts since its opening in 1996. Designed by architect AXS Satow, the building’s geometric titanium-clad forms and elevated walkways embody the futuristic aesthetic that defined Tokyo’s 1990s bay-area redevelopment. The elevated pedestrian route shown here leads toward the main entrance, filled with visitors streaming in for one of the venue’s frequent trade fairs, expos, and cultural events.

The convention center was built as part of a sweeping effort to revitalize reclaimed land along Tokyo Bay, transforming former industrial zones into hubs for technology, design, and international commerce. Its proximity to the automated Yurikamome transit line helped anchor Odaiba as a showcase for modern urban planning, connecting attractions like Rainbow Bridge, Fuji TV, and the waterfront parks. Today, Tokyo Big Sight remains one of Japan’s busiest exhibition complexes and a defining piece of the city’s contemporary architectural heritage.

Empty streets in downtown Minneapolis after unrest following the May 25th, 2020 death of George Floyd.

The National Guard outside the Minneapolis Convention Center on 06/02/20. They used the facility as a "base" during protests following the murder of George Floyd.

The National Guard outside the Minneapolis Convention Center on 06/02/20. They used the facility as a "base" during protests following the murder of George Floyd.

A bold yellow cantilevered structure projects over the concourse at ExCeL London, the capital’s premier exhibition and convention complex in the Royal Docks. This elevated platform, supported by slanted steel columns and lined with circular observation windows, exemplifies the venue’s late-modern architectural style—combining industrial materials with contemporary design.

Part of the 2010s interior upgrades, the structure houses meeting and hospitality spaces overlooking the main exhibition halls below. Its polished metal, glass, and composite cladding echo the docklands’ engineering heritage while signaling ExCeL’s role as a centerpiece of London’s post-industrial regeneration and event economy.

Minneapolis Convention Center in Downtown Minneapolis.

Minneapolis Convention Center in Downtown Minneapolis.