Futuristic-looking Nakagin Capsule Tower to be demolished soon

After a long campaign to save the structure and its space-age units, the futuristic-looking Nakagin Capsule Tower in Tokyo will be demolished next month, according to its owners.

The Metabolism movement, which aspired to build sustainable living environments that people could take with them if they moved, is commemorated by the skyscraper, which was finished in 1972 and built by renowned architect Kisho Kurokawa.

Its dozens of capsules with big round windows were supposed to be removed and replaced one by one but instead have lingered in a condition of decay.

The owners plan to extract some of the white cuboid capsules before demolition begins on April 12, Tatsuyuki Maeda, who refitted several of them himself, told AFP on Tuesday.

“We don’t know yet how many capsules we’ll be able to save, but we plan to repair some deteriorated parts and refurbish them to send them to museums, for example,” said Maeda, who bought his first capsule in the tower in 2010.

“It’s not a complete end to the building, and I’m looking forward to seeing the capsules’ new life.”

Kurokawa’s company is assisting with the rebirth endeavor, he added.

Maeda and other capsule owners fought for the building’s survival in downtown Tokyo’s posh district, which has been threatened with renovation for years.

Each of the capsules, which are designed as micro-homes and workplaces, has a floor area of just 10 square meters (100 square feet) and includes 70s characteristics like a fold-out desk and retro clocks.

Most of the units, however, have been left to deteriorate, and the building has recently been plagued by corroding pipes and water damage, with some capsule owners preferring to see the tower dismantled rather than pay for its upkeep.

The building’s fans reacted to the news on social media with a mix of sadness and resignation.

“Capsule Tower will be demolished soon… It will be very sad to see the building we admired go,” wrote one Twitter user.

“Finally it will be demolished. It’s valuable, but it was the right decision to dismantle it, as it had become quite shabby,” wrote another.