At the edge of Ginza, near the Hama-Rikyu gardens (浜離宮恩賜庭園) you can still share the dream of architect Kurokawa Kisho (黒川紀章, 1934–2007) for the future of his art. It's called Nakagin Capsule Tower (中銀カプセルタワー), it was built in 1972 and it consists of 140 8.2 x 13.1 ft mini-appartments, each with one 4 ft-diameter round window; every apartment can be detached without disturbing the structure of the 13-floor building. Although it's considered a characteristic sample of the movement called "Metabolism" (in Japanese "sinchin-taisha" or "新陳代謝"), there's been an ongoing discussion for its demolition since its condition is not at all god and its residents, most of whom are also owners of the apartments would prefer something newer. And probably bigger.
(For a bigger version of these pictures both in color and black and white, check my "Japan Arekore" set on Flickr).
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