Nakagin Capsule Tower – Japanese metabolist landmark on the edge of destruction

2010, 58 mins, color, Japan (with English subtitles)
D: Rima Yamazaki


The Nakagin Capsule Tower, completed in 1972, was designed by Kisho Kurokawa, the youngest metabolist architect. The building is composed of two concrete core towers and 140 capsules, each of them rougly 10 sqaure meters, plugged into the towers. Today, more than 30 years after its completion, this historic building is in danger of demolition. The more than 100 owners discussed the possibilities of restoration or rebuilding over the years, and voted to replace the tower with a new building in 2008, while Kurokawa proposed a plan of replacing all the capsules with new ones. Would you preserve or tear down such an iconic architectural landmark?

8th March, 21:00
Screened together with Intercalary spaces.
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