This is Nakagin Capsule Tower. Built in 1972, it was designed by architect Kisho Kurokawa and a prime example of the Japanese architectural movement known as Metabolism, in which the concept was to design buildings that are organic and not static, making them reminiscent of living beings.
The Nakagin Capsule Tower consists of a series of pre-fab cell-like pods that could be removed and replaced, though none of the units have been replaced. The small apartments were originally aimed at salarymen but the tower has since shown the wear and tear of time.
Here is what the building looked like when it was built.
And today.
There has been a Save Nakagin Capsule Tower Project to prevent the building from being torn down. Some residents have renovated their pods.
As IT Media reports, Twitter user Yumataromu lived in one of the capsules for two and a half months, documenting her experience in one of the non-renovated capsules.
昨日まで2ヶ月間 中銀カプセルタワーで一人暮らしをしてました（夫は猫とお留守番）
お湯が出なくて銭湯通い 雨漏り上等のサバイバルマンシオンだけど世界は急激に広がったし 銀座のあたたかな面にもたくさん出会った もはやちょっとした留学だ
たった10平米のひみつ基地 またいつか帰りたい…… pic.twitter.com/Byri5Q5kEd
— 台龴 (@yumataromu) June 21, 2019
Hot water was shut off in 2010, so she had to bathe at the local bathhouse. The roof was leaky, and her survival instincts kicked in while living in the 10-square-metre place, which is tiny even by cramped Tokyo standards.
She brought a miniature Doraemon-shaped refrigerator and some lights to help make the place seem a little homier. She did become attached to her little apartment, and even with the leaky roof, it’s easy to see why.
1972年から一度も取り替えられてないメタボリズム建築はメタボ状態
トイレは雨漏りのちに詰まり その解消後は2時間トイレが流れ続けるデュシャンもびっくりなインスタレーションがスタートして笑うしかない備え付けの時計は当然壊れてるので手動で日めくりカレンダーにした pic.twitter.com/eTcSD0g13J
— 台龴 (@yumataromu) June 21, 2019
GINZA SIXや築地のワイン屋で買ったボトルをコンビニ氷に突っ込んで冷却
首都高の灯りをつまみにベッドで晩酌の日々……気が向いたら銀座のバーへ赴く
朝は築地のモツ煮丼や銀座の喫茶店で朝ごはんして通勤2ヶ月で来た友人の数はのべ50人 私にそんなに友人がいたとは……
最後に動画を撮りました pic.twitter.com/uQ0m3JkYu4
— 台龴 (@yumataromu) June 21, 2019
This is an important and interesting building that will hopefully be restored to its 1970s sci-fi glory.
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