Metabolism in Architecture: Nakagin Capsule Tower

45 years ago, in 1972, in the Japanese capital was erected the world’s first capsule hotel - Nakagin Capsule Tower, designed by the young architect Kise Kurokawa. The innovative project became the prototype of the hotels of the future, which have begun to build all over the world, and it is still considered the most striking example of the architecture of Japanese Metabolism.

For his many years of practice Kise Kurokawa had implemented a large number of projects around the world, participated in professional competitions and lectured in Japan and abroad. Even on the threshold of his 70th birthday, the architect retained incredible ability to work and his inherent optimism. How did he manage it? His activities aenigma interested journalists and colleagues no less than the postulates of his famous philosophy of symbiosis. The architect himself told them that he sleeps no more than three hours a day and starts working in the workshop from the very early morning, and after finishing about eleven, up to 2 pm he writes articles. And he kept these proper hours every day. To withstand this daily round, he regularly went in for sports. 

In some way the creative path of Kurokawa was associated also with Russia, since from his youth the architect was a fan of the Russian avant-garde, and even was in love with a Russian girl. When used to come to Russia, at his advanced age, he was repeatedly speculated concerning the idea of staying here forever, and expressing his affection for this country, he could perfectly perform Russian famous song “Moscow Nights”.

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Text by Nina Konovalova