Nakagin Capsule Tower: Demolition works continue

The Nakagin Capsule Tower was a unique and innovative building in Tokyo, Japan. Kisho Kurokawa, a well-known Japanese architect, designed it in 1972.

This building was a key part of the Metabolist movement and was seen as an important landmark in the history of Japanese architecture. The Nakagin Capsule Tower was a high-rise building with 13 floors and 140 capsules, each of which was a small place to live.

The capsules were modular, so they could be easily added to or removed from the building’s core structure. This makes it easy to change and update the building as needed. The building’s design was to make a structure that could adapt to changing needs and ways of life. The capsule’s modular design shows how this idea was put into practice.

Nakagin Capsule Tower

Most capsules were about two meters wide and three meters long, so they were small and close together. Despite their small size, they were well-designed and provided everything a person might need in a living space. Each capsule is equipped with a bed, a desk, a small kitchenette, and a bathroom.

The capsules were simple and useful, and they were well-insulated so that people could live in them comfortably. The outside of the Nakagin Capsule Tower is eye-catching and unique. It has a grid of steel and concrete modules that make it look dynamic and futuristic.

People say that the building was a masterpiece of Japanese architecture, and its unique look made it a popular place for tourists to visit. The Nakagin Capsule Tower is not just a unique architectural structure. It was also a symbol of the Metabolist movement.

Metabolist movement

The Metabolist movement was a group of architects and artists who sought to create a new form of architecture that would reflect the changing needs of society. They thought architecture should be flexible and adaptable, and buildings should be made in a way that makes it easy to change or update them as needed. This philosophy is best shown by the Nakagin Capsule Tower, which is still an important symbol of the Metabolist movement.

Even though it was built in a new way and had a lot of historical value, the Nakagin Capsule Tower has had some problems over the years. The building has been neglected and is in bad shape, and many capsules are no longer being used. There have also been concerns about the building’s safety, as it was constructed before modern building codes were in place.

Despite these challenges, there has been a growing movement to preserve the Nakagin Capsule Tower and restore it to its former glory. Many people believe that the building is a valuable cultural resource and that it should be preserved for future generations. There have been efforts to secure funding for the restoration of the building, and there is hope that it will be preserved and revitalized. In conclusion, the Nakagin Capsule Tower is a unique and innovative building that is an important part of the history of Japanese architecture.

Its unique look and modular design make it a symbol of the Metabolist movement, and you can’t say enough about its importance as a cultural resource. Despite the challenges it has faced over the years, the Nakagin Capsule Tower was demolished last year, erasing this remarkable building from Tokyo’s map.

Photo Caption: A crane carries a capsule during the demolition at Nakagin Capsule Tower in Ginza on June 9, 2022, in Tokyo, Japan. The dismantling of 140 individual capsules of the futuristic building (mixed-use residential and office tower) continues as part of the demolition works until the end of this year.

 

(Photos by Rodrigo Reyes Marin). To license images please visit: AFLO