Nakagin Capsule Tower, Metabolism architectural building in Ginza, Japan
The Nakagin Capsule Tower consists of 140 prefabricated capsules attached to two concrete towers, reaching 13 floors in height with four elevators.
Designed by architect Kisho Kurokawa, the building opened in 1972 as the first capsule architecture implemented for permanent residential use worldwide.
Each capsule module measured 10 square meters and represented the Japanese architectural movement's vision of adaptable, sustainable urban living spaces.
Located near Shimbashi Station in Tokyo's business district, the residential units functioned as compact apartments and offices until their dismantling in 2022.
After demolition, 23 capsules were preserved, with 14 maintaining original conditions and 9 kept as skeleton frames for future exhibitions and cultural projects.
Location: Ginza
Location: Tokyo
Inception: 1970
Architects: Kisho Kurokawa
Official opening: 1972
Architectural style: Metabolism
Floors above the ground: 13
Elevators: 4
Address: 東京都中央区銀座8-16-10 104-0061
GPS coordinates: 35.66564,139.76345
Latest update: May 27, 2025 20:36
Architecture does not have to follow straight lines and right angles. This collection presents buildings that stand out through their form: domes, spirals, tilted facades or organic structures that recall animals or plants. From Gaudí's mosaic covered works in Barcelona to the stacked concrete cubes of Habitat 67 in Montreal or the conical trulli of Alberobello, these structures demonstrate alternative approaches to construction. Some emerged from technical necessity, such as the temporary cardboard cathedral in Christchurch after the 2011 earthquake. Others are artistic statements: the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao with its titanium plates, the Dancing House in Prague or the cubist houses in Rotterdam. In Đà Lạt, the Crazy House transforms tree trunks and caves into habitable spaces, while the Atomium in Brussels represents a magnified iron crystal. These structures attract visitors but also raise questions about function and livability. The Longaberger Basket Building in Ohio takes the form of a seven story basket. The Lotus Temple in New Delhi uses concrete shells to form 27 petals. The Aldar headquarters in Abu Dhabi resembles a circular coin. These buildings expand the definition of what architecture can be.
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