Icon of Modern Prefab to be Demolished
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 05. 3.07
Kisho Kurokawa's 1972 Capsule Tower was, along with Moshe Safdie's Habitat in Montreal, the pioneer in modernist multiple unit prefab. 140 capsules were attached by high tension bolts to a central core. Each of the tiny rooms had built in TV's and reel-to-reel tape decks, washrooms and were pre-assembled in a factory then hoisted by crane and fastened to the concrete core shaft.
According to Architectural Record: "It has long been appreciated by architects as a pure expression of the Metabolist movement, popular in the 1960s and 1970s, which envisioned cities formed of modular components. But in recent years residents expressed growing concern over the presence of asbestos. On April 15, the building’s management association approved plans calling for the architectural icon to be razed and replaced with a new 14-story tower. A demolition is yet to be determined."
"For his part, Kurokawa has pleaded to let the Capsule Tower express one of its original design qualities: flexibility. He suggested “unplugging” each box and replacing it with an updated unit, letting the base towers —which he calls “timeless”—remain untouched. Japan’s four major architectural organizations, including the Japan Institute of Architects, support this scheme. But the building’s management remained unconvinced and raised concerns regarding the towers’ ability to withstand earthquakes, as well as its inefficient use of valuable land. The new building will increase floor area by 60 percent." ::Architectural Record
and info and pictures from ::Arcspace
UPDATE: Lots more pictures from ::Juergen Specht via (talk about being scooped!) ::we make money not art which covered this last September.
Gotta say, I liike Habitat much better. This one is cool in a movie-set sort of way, but seems a little bit insane. I'd love one of those capsules for my backyard, though.
Why cant the building be dismantled, the asbestos removed in a controlled environment like a factory, and if the residents still dont want it, reassemble in some new place?
I love this building, it is so... James Bond.
Forty-six years later and I live in a home made of cinder blocks and wooden studs...what a remarkable concept from a remarkable designer...I too would love to have one of the units for my own...anyone want to share the cost of a shipping container?