Main author
Michael BrooksNakagin Capsule Tower
The Nakagin Capsule Tower in Tokyo, Japan is a 14-storey tower consisting of 140 individual capsule units. Designed by the architect Kurokawa Kisho and constructed in 1972, the tower was intended to serve as a prototype for a new type of functional urban accommodation, and is seen as one of the foremost examples of the metabolist architecture movement that developed in post-war Japan.
The idea behind metabolism was that buildings developed, apparently organically, in response to their environment, with the ability to be adaptable. This idea was evident in the minimalist design of the Nakagin Capsule Tower in which individual capsules that were manufactured offsite were attached to two interconnected concrete towers. The capsules could be replaced and modified as required, with mixed use functionality including living and office space.
Unfortunately, like many ‘flexible’ buildings, this adaptability was never used. Despite the original intention, none of the capsules were ever replaced and the tower eventually fell into disrepair. In recent years it has faced threats of demolition as renovation plans have failed, although it has started opening for access to tourists through sites such as Airbnb.
Despite setbacks, the tower remains a striking futurist design for urban living and the world’s first example of capsule architecture.
[edit] 2021 update
The Nakagin Capsule Tower was sold to the landowner in 2021. Its fate continues to be in jeopardy, due to structural issues related to seismic requirements.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- 30 St. Mary Axe.
- Architectural styles.
- Building of the week series.
- Fuji TV Building, Tokyo.
- Gate Tower Building, Osaka.
- Geodesic dome.
- Habitat 67.
- Megastructure..
- Metabolism.
- Ministry of Transportation Building, Georgia.
- Robot Building, Bangkok.
- Skyscraper.
- Tallest buildings in the world.
- The Bierpinsel, Berlin.
- The history of fabric structures.
- Trellick Tower.
- Unusual building design of the week series.
[edit] External references
- Pingmag - Nakagin Capsule Tower
Featured articles and news
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.
The changed R&D tax landscape for Architects
Specialist gives a recap on tax changes for Research and Development, via the ACA newsletter.
Structured product data as a competitive advantage
NBS explain why accessible product data that works across digital systems is key.
Welsh retrofit workforce assessment
Welsh Government report confirms Wales faces major electrical skills shortage, warns ECA.
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
Inspiration for a new 2026 wave of Irish construction professionals.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.