The Nakagin Capsule Tower in Tokyo, completed in 1972, represents a significant architectural achievement with its distinct form and prefabricated capsule living spaces. Designed by Kisho Kurokawa, it embodied the Metabolist movement and the concept of adaptable architecture. Despite its initial successes, the building faced decay and was demolished in 2022. A restored living capsule, A1305, will be showcased in an exhibition at MoMA, allowing visitors a unique opportunity to experience this architectural wonder. The tower's intended evolution never fully realized, serves as a poignant reflection on architectural ambitions and historical changes.
"Especially for architecture exhibitions, sometimes we're able to show actual pieces of buildings, or fragments. But what is extremely rare here is that it's a whole unit by itself."
"The building slowly decayed over the years and deferred maintenance doomed much of it to becoming uninhabitable before it was demolished in 2022. Some capsules and building parts were salvaged, though, and more than a dozen capsules have been fully restored."
Collection
[
|
...
]