NAKAGIN CAPSULE TOWER, JAPAN

VAIBHAVI – 19212911013
ISHA - 19212911003
AYUSHI - 19212911001
PARTH - 19212911011
 INTRODUCTION
• Nakagin Capsule Tower in 1972, which was the first
capsule architecture design.

• The Nakagin Capsule Tower Building is a mixed-use

residential and office tower.

• It is a prototype for architecture of sustainability

and recycleability, as each module can be plugged
in to the central core and replaced or exchanged
when necessary.

• The mixed-use residential and office tower is a rare

example of Japanese Metabolism, an architectural
movement emblematic of Japan’s postwar cultural
resurgence. 

• The Nakagin Capsule Tower is a mixed-use

residential and office tower designed by architect
Kisho Kurokawa.
BMCT - PREFEBRICATED CONSTRUCTION NAKAGIN CAPSULE TOWER, TOKYO, JAPAN SEM – V
 LOCATION
The Nagakin capsule tower stands at Tokyo, Japan,
in the district of Ginza, one of the most expensive
neighborhoods of the city, this is a focal point of
the city where business is concentrated.

Tokyo
Restaurants Shop
Japan
Building Entrance

BMCT - PREFEBRICATED CONSTRUCTION NAKAGIN CAPSULE TOWER, TOKYO, JAPAN SEM – V

 WHAT IS METABOLISM ARCHITECTURE?
• The word metabolism describes the process of maintaining
living cells.

• Metabolism, the Japanese architectural movement of the

1960s, profoundly influenced contemporary architecture
and urbanism.

• A representative movement in modern Japanese

architecture history.

• The movement contends that buildings and cities should be

designed in the same organic way that life grows and
changes by repeating metabolism.

• It had its first international exposure during CIAM's 1959

meeting and its ideas were tentatively tested by students
from Kenzo Tange's MIT studio.

• During the preparation for the 1960 Tokyo World Design

Conference a group of young architects and designers,
including Kiyonori Kikutake, Kisho Kurokawa and Fumihiko
Maki prepared the publication of the Metabolism manifesto.

BMCT - PREFEBRICATED CONSTRUCTION NAKAGIN CAPSULE TOWER, TOKYO, JAPAN SEM – V

 PLANS

GROUND FLOOR PLAN TYPICAL FLOOR PLAN

FIRST FLOOR PLAN UNIQUE FLOOR PLAN

BMCT - PREFEBRICATED CONSTRUCTION NAKAGIN CAPSULE TOWER, TOKYO, JAPAN SEM – V

 TYPES OF UNIT • There are total four types of
units.
• Each unit consist of separate
washroom storage desk and
bed.
• Two types of window
placements:1st on smaller side
of the unit & 2nd is on longer
side.
TYPE C

TYPE A

TYPE D
1st

TYPE B

2nd

BMCT - PREFEBRICATED CONSTRUCTION NAKAGIN CAPSULE TOWER, TOKYO, JAPAN SEM – V

 CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE
• A total of 140 capsules are stacked and rotated at
varying angles around a central core, standing 14-
stories high.

• The technology developed by Kurokawa allowed each

unit to be installed to the concrete core with only 4
high-tension bolts, which keeps the units
replaceable.

• Each capsule measures 4 x 2.5 meters, permitting

enough room for one person to live comfortably.

• The interior space of each module can be

manipulated by connecting the capsule to other
capsules.

• Structural joints: The bonds of the capsules with

structural towers were made possible by the use of
cranes. They raised capsules and placed at the
desired height to be welded to the tower site.

BMCT - PREFEBRICATED CONSTRUCTION NAKAGIN CAPSULE TOWER, TOKYO, JAPAN SEM – V

 MATERIAL
• The cores are rigid-frame, made of a steel frame
and reinforced concrete.

• From the basement to the second floor, ordinary

concrete was used; above those levels,
lightweight concrete was used. Shuttering consists
of large panels the height of a single storey of the
tower.

• In order to make early use of the staircase,

precast concrete was used in the floor plates and
the elevator shafts.

• On-site construction of the elevators was

shortened by incorporating the 3-D frames, the
rails, and anchor indicator boxes in the precast
concrete elements and by employing
prefabricated cages.

BMCT - PREFEBRICATED CONSTRUCTION NAKAGIN CAPSULE TOWER, TOKYO, JAPAN SEM – V

 TRANSPORTATION
• All pieces of the pods were manufactured in a factory
in Shiga Prefecture then transported to the site by
truck.

• The pre-assembled interior features a circular window,

built-in bed and bathroom, and is furnished with a TV,
radio and alarm clock.

• Hoisted by a crane, the capsules were inserted in the

shipping containers by use of a crane, and then
fastened to the concrete core shaft.

BMCT - PREFEBRICATED CONSTRUCTION NAKAGIN CAPSULE TOWER, TOKYO, JAPAN SEM – V

 EXPLODED CAPSULE
• The capsule where prefabricated in a
shipping container factory. They are
welded lightweight steel truss boxes. Clad
with galvanises ribbed steel panets, a coat
of rust prevention paint and a glossy spray
of kenitex

3
4
1. plaster walls
2. lightweight steel frame
3. steel sprayed with rust preventative paint
4. high tension bolts

BMCT - PREFEBRICATED CONSTRUCTION NAKAGIN CAPSULE TOWER, TOKYO, JAPAN SEM – V

 CIRCULATION

There are two core tower which

used for circulation.

CENTRAL CORE

UNITS

PUBLIC SPACE

OPEN SPACE

BMCT - PREFEBRICATED CONSTRUCTION NAKAGIN CAPSULE TOWER, TOKYO, JAPAN SEM – V

 SERVICES

• Staircase and lifts are

MAIN CORE
in the two cores.
• Washrooms and
service shafts are at
the edges.

TOILETS BOTTOM STRUCTURE

BMCT - PREFEBRICATED CONSTRUCTION NAKAGIN CAPSULE TOWER, TOKYO, JAPAN SEM – V
 INTERIOR ARRENGEMENT

BMCT - PREFEBRICATED CONSTRUCTION NAKAGIN CAPSULE TOWER, TOKYO, JAPAN SEM – V