In 2022, the demolition of the Nakagin Capsule Tower, an iconic building and symbol of Japanese Metabolism, was completed. This event did not cause much surprise, as demolition is deeply embedded in Japanese culture, exemplified by the cyclical reconstruction of the Ise Shrine every 20 years. To date, 23 out of the original 144 capsules have been saved by the Nakagin Capsule Tower Conservation and Preservation, which has removed the asbestos and made them available to galleries and museums worldwide. However, none of these capsules retains its original function. The research focuses on an in-depth exploration of the roots and theoretical principles of Metabolism, as well as the "Homo Movens" concept promoted by Kisho Kurokawa, through a diachronic analysis. The entire history of the tower is retraced, from its early design phases to its demolition, including prototypes of capsules that were designed but never built, as well as projects developed by Kurokawa’s successors up to the present day. Additionally, the study aims to link the theme of the capsules with that of "urban parasites," a growing phenomenon in large cities due to the complex relationship between inhabitants and housing. One of the most successful examples of parasitic architecture is the public toilets in Shibuya, Tokyo. These oversized design objects, created by renowned Japanese and international architects and designers, have been scattered across Shibuya in seemingly random locations, attracting numerous tourists and enthusiasts each year. The pairing of the capsules with the Shibuya toilets presents an excellent opportunity from both a public outreach and functional perspective. The project envisions making these new housing units available to address social emergencies, such as providing shelter for the homeless and people displaced by natural disasters, through the design of solid and compact parasitic structures that can be replicated in various areas. By delving into the past, this research aims to propose solutions for the future use of the capsules, keeping their legacy alive as both functional and cultural objects.
Nel 2022 si è completata la demolizione della Nakagin Capsule Tower, storico edificio simbolo del Metabolismo giapponese. Questo evento non ha suscitato particolare sorpresa, poiché la demolizione è un aspetto profondamente radicato nella cultura giapponese, come dimostra la ricostruzione ciclica del Santuario Ise ogni 20 anni. Ad oggi, 23 delle 140 capsule sono state salvate dalla Nakagin Capsule Tower Conservation and Preservation, che ha rimosso l'amianto e le ha messe a disposizione di gallerie e musei in tutto il mondo. Nessuna di queste capsule, però, conserva la sua funzione originale. La ricerca si concentra sull’analisi approfondita delle radici e dei principi teorici del Metabolismo e dell’idea di "Homo Movens" promossa da Kisho Kurokawa, attraverso un esame diacronico. Si ripercorre l’intera storia della torre, dalle prime fasi progettuali fino alla demolizione, includendo anche prototipi di capsule progettati ma mai realizzati e progetti sviluppati dagli eredi di Kurokawa ai giorni nostri. Inoltre, la ricerca propone di intrecciare il tema delle capsule con quello dei "parassiti urbani", un fenomeno in crescita nelle grandi metropoli a causa del rapporto complesso tra abitanti e abitazioni. Uno degli esempi più riusciti di architettura parassitaria è rappresentato dai bagni pubblici di Shibuya, a Tokyo. Questi oggetti di design sovradimensionati, progettati da noti architetti e designer giapponesi ed internazionali, sono stati distribuiti in modo apparentemente casuale nel distretto di Shibuya, attirando ogni anno numerosi turisti ed appassionati. L'integrazione delle capsule con i bagni di Shibuya rappresenta una straordinaria opportunità sia dal punto di vista divulgativo che funzionale. Il progetto prevede di rendere queste nuove unità abitative disponibili per affrontare emergenze sociali, come fornire rifugio a senzatetto o sfollati a causa di disastri naturali, progettando parassiti solidi e compatti che possano essere replicati in diverse aree. La ricerca, scavando nel passato, mira a proporre soluzioni per il futuro utilizzo delle capsule, mantenendo viva la loro eredità sia come oggetti funzionali che culturali.
ParaCity : Tokyo metabolizes Kurokawa's capsules
MASELLA, UMBERTO
2023/2024
Abstract
In 2022, the demolition of the Nakagin Capsule Tower, an iconic building and symbol of Japanese Metabolism, was completed. This event did not cause much surprise, as demolition is deeply embedded in Japanese culture, exemplified by the cyclical reconstruction of the Ise Shrine every 20 years. To date, 23 out of the original 144 capsules have been saved by the Nakagin Capsule Tower Conservation and Preservation, which has removed the asbestos and made them available to galleries and museums worldwide. However, none of these capsules retains its original function. The research focuses on an in-depth exploration of the roots and theoretical principles of Metabolism, as well as the "Homo Movens" concept promoted by Kisho Kurokawa, through a diachronic analysis. The entire history of the tower is retraced, from its early design phases to its demolition, including prototypes of capsules that were designed but never built, as well as projects developed by Kurokawa’s successors up to the present day. Additionally, the study aims to link the theme of the capsules with that of "urban parasites," a growing phenomenon in large cities due to the complex relationship between inhabitants and housing. One of the most successful examples of parasitic architecture is the public toilets in Shibuya, Tokyo. These oversized design objects, created by renowned Japanese and international architects and designers, have been scattered across Shibuya in seemingly random locations, attracting numerous tourists and enthusiasts each year. The pairing of the capsules with the Shibuya toilets presents an excellent opportunity from both a public outreach and functional perspective. The project envisions making these new housing units available to address social emergencies, such as providing shelter for the homeless and people displaced by natural disasters, through the design of solid and compact parasitic structures that can be replicated in various areas. By delving into the past, this research aims to propose solutions for the future use of the capsules, keeping their legacy alive as both functional and cultural objects.| File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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2024_10_Masella.pdf
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Descrizione: In 2022 the historical Japanese icon of Metabolism, the Nakagin Capsule Tower, was demolished and only 23 out 140 prefabricated capsules were rescued. The project is about the reuse of the capsules in metropolitan area of Tokyo as a shelter for homeless. The capsules are organised in a parasitic architecture pairing the Toilet of Shibuya.
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https://hdl.handle.net/10589/227796