Nakagin Capsule Building, Tokyo, Japan

Fall 2005; A Study of Modern Japanese Architecture

A computer model of the Nakagin Capsule Building in Tokyo, Japan, designed by Kisho Kurokawa in 1970. A classic example of the Metabolist style, the building is made up of 140 capsules - rooms - hung from two towers. The common units, or cells, randomly arranged around a central structural core typify the Metabolist ideas of extendability, flexibility, and scalability. Each unit consits of a bed, a bathroom with shower, a desk, phone, and television. The intent is to show the relationship between the central core and the individual capsules, as well as the compositional efforts of Kurokawa. Also, sometimes Godzilla attacks Tokyo.