Description
The Nakagin Capsule Tower (中銀カプセルタワー Nakagin Kapuseru Tawā) is a mixed-use residential and office tower designed by architect Kisho Kurokawa and located in Shimbashi, Tokyo, Japan. Completed in just 30 days in 1972, the building is a rare remaining example of Japanese Metabolism, an architectural movement emblematic of Japan’s postwar cultural resurgence. It was the world’s first example of capsule architecture built for permanent and practical use. The building still exists but has fallen into disrepair. As of October 2012, around thirty of the 140 capsules remained in use as apartments, while others were used for storage or office space, or simply abandoned and allowed to deteriorate. After incorporating in September 2015, Tokyo-based photography company EYExplore relocated its office to one of the capsules, stating, “We wanted take a stand and be part of this historical unique building instead of remaining powerless onlookers.” As recently as August 2017 capsules could still be rented (relatively inexpensively, considering the Ginza locale), though the waiting list remains long.
People
Architect
Civil Engineer
Client
Owner
Time & Place
Status
built
Date
01/01/1972
Address
Nakagin Capsule Tower, 8 Chome-16-10 Ginza, Chūō, Präfektur Tokio, Japan
Specifications
Floors
Floors: 13
Height
Staircases
Units per Staircase
Units per Floor
Units
Unit Area
Plot Area
Floor Area Typical
Area Total
Podium Area
Courtyard Area
Ground floor Area
Residents
Parking Spaces
Taxonomy
Organisation
7 apartments
Material
Structure
Usage
Housing
Tags