Rare Souvenir Miniature Buiding, Japan Expo '75, Okinawa Aquapolis Floating City

Description

Rare Souvenir Miniature Buiding, Japan Expo '75, Okinawa Aquapolis Floating City.  Not in any books.  Large, incredibly detailed model of the Aquapolis in Okinawa, which was the centerpiece structure for Japan's International Ocean Exposition.  Designed by Japanese architect Kiyonori Kikutake, the enormous structure was 32 Meters high above the waterline (104 feet) with the platform 100 square meters (1075 square feet).  At the time it cost over 13Billion Yen (almost 0 million at today's values).  Built in a Hiroshima shipyard and then towed to Okinawa for the Exposition, it was intended to demonstrate "Humans living harmoniously on the oceans and a prototype for marine communities".  A tourist attraction for years after the Expo, in October of 2000 it was scrapped at a shipyard in Shanghai when maintenance costs became prohibitive.
This model is primarily cast in aluminum, including the water, all major struts and the platform with a black plastic base and a small number of silver plastic trim pieces.  Measuring 6.75 " square and 3" tall, there is amazing attention to detail.  The ocean waters boil and froth realistically on the base, the piping, struts and railing are all there in detail.  Very fine condition, no visible damage or losses.  This is truly a collectors piece, a must for any building collector interested in World's Fair and Exposition pieces.  I have never seen this in any book of miniatures or any publications.  A rare piece for a special collection.