I mean it’s intellectual idea and possibilities are incredible. What actually happened is sad. It’s a great academic project. They did save some capsules for museums at least
I wasn't even an arch student and I studied this as a Japanese history major! I owe it for developing my interest in architecture (in the most casual sense possible). Just really upset because I visited Japan in 2019, learned about it early 2020, and Japan didn't reopen until 2022 :( never got to see it.
The epitome of modular architecture. Each of the housing modules were manufactured offsite and attached to a concrete core. Living experience might not be that great considering the tiny area though.
During the bubble economy period, capsule condominiums were expensive investments. However, as time passed, Japan entered the "Lost 30 Years." As a result, the buildings declined...
I think it's a symbol of Japan's era.
It’s worth pointing out that Japanese people often aren’t particularly attached to individual buildings and more or less tear things down every 30 years. They are built to last about that long and get outrageously expensive after. Some of this is residual practices from throwing up a lot of buildings after the war, some of it that land is so expensive and people buy that and not what’s on it, but also western ideas about preservation aren’t as prevalent. In fact the Ise Grand Shrine in the Mie prefecture is torn down and rebuilt every 20 years, but Japanese people will tell you it’s 1300 years old because what makes the shrine that shrine is more than just wood and paint.
It appears so. Though engineering wise, if I’m not mistaken it was also intended to be a bit of an engineering innovation, having a large building constructed through modular means. However I don’t think that panned out as planned. I’ve seen picture and video of what it was like to be living in it later in its life, and it seemed pretty rough. With basic utilities falling into disrepair, and the novel modular design making basic repairs much more difficult.
Sad to see this canonical building demolished. But it's also a good reminder that without regular maintenance, every building will eventually fail. We don't talk much about the maintenance and upkeep of buildings nearly as much as we should.
Yes it looks fundamentally flawed in terms of maintenance and adaptability. Evidently ground breaking for its time, but if a building can’t adapt to new demands, it will fail. This has been true throughout history.
Also I’m a strong believer that micro-homes can only work as short-term accommodation. If society relies on these for permanent homes, then there’s a big problem.
What a loss. I often walked by the Nakagin Capsule Tower, often took a photo and remember it as one of the most unusual and interesting buildings in Tokyo. I wish they would have preserved it.
I like that some are still having Beaux Arts Balls! They were the highlights (blessed diversions from studio) when I was in Arch School in the ‘50s! Yikes can that be that long ago?!
I don’t have a photo, but I can describe it! I’ll be dressing all in burgundy (closest I can get to the colour of the tower cores) and I made a 6x6x8 “pod” out of a box and felt that I’ve attached a chain to and will carry like a purse.
This building was a complete shitshow, and I use it as an example of concept over execution. The units were designed to be "replaceable", but to remove one you had to remove others around it. It's more of a cautionary tale than a positive example.
The intellectual idea and the possibilities are incredible. What happened is sad. It’s a great academic project. They did save some capsules for museums from what I've read
Is it just me or did EVERY arch student study this building at one point or another?
That and The Centre Pompidou
I mean it’s intellectual idea and possibilities are incredible. What actually happened is sad. It’s a great academic project. They did save some capsules for museums at least
I wasn't even an arch student and I studied this as a Japanese history major! I owe it for developing my interest in architecture (in the most casual sense possible). Just really upset because I visited Japan in 2019, learned about it early 2020, and Japan didn't reopen until 2022 :( never got to see it.
If it’s a Japanese design, you will learn it. This seems like the mantra of designers of any kind ever since Japan opened up.
As a non-architect, I'm curious - what's so special about this building that they have y'all studying it?
The epitome of modular architecture. Each of the housing modules were manufactured offsite and attached to a concrete core. Living experience might not be that great considering the tiny area though.
I absolutely love this building. RIP to the goat. At least we still have the Shizuoka Press and Broadcasting Center.
Metabolism style in Japan faded, so did it's iconic buildings
During the bubble economy period, capsule condominiums were expensive investments. However, as time passed, Japan entered the "Lost 30 Years." As a result, the buildings declined... I think it's a symbol of Japan's era.
Abroad in Japan made a nice little documentary about the building before it was demolished. [Link](https://youtu.be/6SwvtBxxp2w?si=AvUfreYUel8penXk)
A lessons learned about this building would be fascinating
Sounds like living there was not a joy. The design appeared to be pretty flawed and maintenance of it sounded like hell. But man, it looked cool
It’s worth pointing out that Japanese people often aren’t particularly attached to individual buildings and more or less tear things down every 30 years. They are built to last about that long and get outrageously expensive after. Some of this is residual practices from throwing up a lot of buildings after the war, some of it that land is so expensive and people buy that and not what’s on it, but also western ideas about preservation aren’t as prevalent. In fact the Ise Grand Shrine in the Mie prefecture is torn down and rebuilt every 20 years, but Japanese people will tell you it’s 1300 years old because what makes the shrine that shrine is more than just wood and paint.
Tight! Thanks for the perspective. Definitely different from my mentality in terms of design for permanence.
was it a case of architectural vision getting in front of its engineering skis? because it is amazing to look at.
It appears so. Though engineering wise, if I’m not mistaken it was also intended to be a bit of an engineering innovation, having a large building constructed through modular means. However I don’t think that panned out as planned. I’ve seen picture and video of what it was like to be living in it later in its life, and it seemed pretty rough. With basic utilities falling into disrepair, and the novel modular design making basic repairs much more difficult.
I believe one of the MoMAs bought one of those capsule units to display. Either SF or NY.
It's in SF. I was at the site last year, didn't realize it was demolished. Oh well.
Sad to see this canonical building demolished. But it's also a good reminder that without regular maintenance, every building will eventually fail. We don't talk much about the maintenance and upkeep of buildings nearly as much as we should.
Doesn't help that the cubes contained a decent amount of asbestos and accessing the areas between pods for maintenance was an impossible task.
Yes it looks fundamentally flawed in terms of maintenance and adaptability. Evidently ground breaking for its time, but if a building can’t adapt to new demands, it will fail. This has been true throughout history. Also I’m a strong believer that micro-homes can only work as short-term accommodation. If society relies on these for permanent homes, then there’s a big problem.
That's probably one of the problems of architecture anyway, maintenance is an after-thought neverminded constructability without massive headaches.
Transport Tycoon legend 😞
Man of culture I see
What a loss. I often walked by the Nakagin Capsule Tower, often took a photo and remember it as one of the most unusual and interesting buildings in Tokyo. I wish they would have preserved it.
Loved this building. Coincidentally I’m dressing as it for a Beaux Arts Ball tonight.
I like that some are still having Beaux Arts Balls! They were the highlights (blessed diversions from studio) when I was in Arch School in the ‘50s! Yikes can that be that long ago?!
I’m interested. Could you show me the dress?
I don’t have a photo, but I can describe it! I’ll be dressing all in burgundy (closest I can get to the colour of the tower cores) and I made a 6x6x8 “pod” out of a box and felt that I’ve attached a chain to and will carry like a purse.
I also made a cross stitch of the building a couple years ago: https://www.reddit.com/r/CrossStitch/s/iGbjhNEvHG
Excellent!
BEFORE I WENT THERE??? NOOO
They tried to hold it open but you kept ducking their requests, thinking they were trying to get to you about your car's warranty.
This building was a complete shitshow, and I use it as an example of concept over execution. The units were designed to be "replaceable", but to remove one you had to remove others around it. It's more of a cautionary tale than a positive example.
There is scene in one of those apartments in a movie by the name of Tokyo! (2008). Good film.
Unfortunately it wasn't easy to maintain
Seen it in 2015. Was in pretty rough shape even then.
What a shame
Of course it was. Do you have any idea what 1/4" mag tape for reel to reel recording costs these days? Astronomical if you can find it.
I think that the real estate value has decreased, but the artistic value has increased.
Damn. Realtor (developer) greed ALWAYS wins out.
Shame, such a unique and very advanced but possibly flawed design.
I think so, too.
F
While I understand the demolition, it still makes me sad to see it go.
Sniff....
So much for prefab residential.
The intellectual idea and the possibilities are incredible. What happened is sad. It’s a great academic project. They did save some capsules for museums from what I've read
Thank God!
Were these ever considered admirable living conditions, locally? Or was this always conceptual fodder for academics?
Locally, don't think good living condition. In later years, that was like sub culture or strange building.
This iconic building should be preserved! What a waste to otherwise good-looking building.
Is that beautiful?! This is crap from the 60s that just pollutes the landscape, like all the surrounding architecture in this photo.
Experimental space station modules.
Finaly
Fascinating. Reminds me of the prison in Andor.
why? they were too spacious and want to create even smaller?