Crowdfunding to save a capsule from NAKAGIN CAPSULE TOWER

Crowdfunding to save a capsule from NAKAGIN CAPSULE TOWER and create a “Mobile Capsule”

 

 

Acknowledgements

This English translation was prepared by Prof. Yoshihiko Ito of Tokyo Metropolitan University, an architectural historian who gave a lecture about the Nakagin Capsule Tower on the occasion of the San Sebastian Architectural Biennale 2019. It was proofread by Mr. Philip Richards, an eager supporter of the building who is recreating elements of a capsule room in his house. I am astounded and profoundly grateful to those who gathered around Nakagin Capsule Tower and offered help to spread the word for this conservation project.

 

All photos by ZOH production.

 

How to Support by Credit Card

 

 

Kisho Kurokawa’s Nakagin Capsule Tower is one of the most iconic architectural works of the second half of the 20th century. Unfortunately, this masterpiece of the Metabolist movement is scheduled to be demolished after March 2022, and at the time of writing the tenants and other occupants are being asked to move out.

My name is Akiko Ishimaru, a representative of the Nakagin Capsule Tower A606 Project. A606 is a capsule located on the 6th floor of Tower A, one of the two towers of the building, which our project members are currently using as a shared office.
 

 

 

Once it became clear that our efforts to preserve and save Nakagin Capsule Tower as a complete building had failed and that demolition was inevitable, we started negotiating with the company that owns capsule A606, who have agreed to let us have it after the building’s demolition. Our plan is to turn it into a Mobile Capsule that can be towed by a car. 

 

In fact, Kisho Kurokawa, the architect of Nakagin Capsule Tower, explored the concept of mobile capsules in his book Homo Movens and actually designed prototypes in the 1970s. Indeed, each of the Nakagin Capsule Tower’s prefabricated capsule units were themselves transported one by one by truck from the factory to the site. When it comes to what to do with the saved capsule and how and where it is to be preserved, the idea of a Mobile Capsule fits perfectly with the Kurokawa’s original philosophy. It also allows us to share this architectural heritage with people from different places inside and outside Japan. 

 

It is expected that the capsule will need repair after it is removed from the Tower. The asbestos contained in the paint used to coat the capsule’s steel walls is a real problem. This carcinogenic material must be removed before the capsule is transferred, a process which is likely to cause considerable damage.

 

 

The first phase of this crowdfunding campaign started on May 30th. We asked for 1.5 million yen for two goals. The first goal is to survey and document the entire building, recording the current state of all capsules and their actual measurements. The second goal is for asbestos countermeasures to be taken when dismantling the original shelves and unit baths. This was achieved within a week, so we started a second crowdfunding campaign to raise an additional 5 million yen for the minimum cost of repairing the exterior walls and modifying the capsule unit to be towable. The campaign closes 23:00 Japan time, Wednesday, July 28th.

 

Thank you very much for your support and encouragement!

 

 

Return List

How to Support by Credit Card

 

Donation. 10,000yen / 30,000yen / 100,000yen

 

English language virtual tour. (5,000yen) 　
 

T shirts (10,000yen)　

 

Three sets of goods (30,000yen)