When the Nakagin Capsule Tower in Tokyo was constructed in 1972, the building embodied what Japan envisioned as the future of cities and housing. Resembling laundry machines, the facade features numerous grey cubes with a circular window. Among the buildings of the Shimbashi district, the iconic Nakagin Capsule Tower stands out as a symbol that defines the cityscape.
Erected with two concrete cores that measure 11 and 13 stories high, prefabricated 107 sq ft (9.9 sq m) capsules are attached to the cores with high-tension bolts. The entire building was constructed in only 30 days.
Despite its small size, each capsule includes a toilet and bathroom sink alongside ample space for a bed and other furnishings.
The building is designed by Kisho Kurokawa, a Japanese architect regarded as being one of the founders of the Metabolism Movement. Originating during post-war Japan when reconstruction was in full swing, the architectural movement viewed buildings as not static but an ever-changing entity that can grow and adapt with time.
To remember the legacy of late Kisho Kurokawa who passed away in 2007, Japanese photographer Noritaka Minami began taking pictures of the Nakagin Capsule Tower in 2010. “Each time I visit the building, I learn something both about the architecture and the residents,” said Noritaka.
Rather than photographing the tenants, Noritaka focuses on the building itself and the objects that make the capsules home. “[The room] functions as a container of people’s identity, personal interest, hobbies and taste,” noted Noritaka.
“There is not that much emphasis on the preservation of modern architecture in Japan,” expressed Noritaka. “It’s important [that the tower] can continue to stay there instead of going through the usual routine of being demolished for the sake of economic progress.”
