AR253 History 2 - Structuralism and Metabolism

Nakagin
Capsule
Amsterdam Tower
by
Orphanage Kisho Kurokawa
by
Aldo van Eyck

Table of Content
CHAPTER 1 The Movement and Social Background 05- 07
Amsterdam Orphanage
CHAPTER 2 The Architect's Background, Philosophy and Influences 08 - 10

Building 1:
CHAPTER 3 Introduction to the Building, Design Intention, and Design Concept 11 - 13

CHAPTER 4 Site Context, Space Planning and Design Principle 14 - 16

CHAPTER 5 Physical Characteristic of the Building in relation to the Architectural Style 17 - 19

CHAPTER 6 Structure and Technology 20 - 22

CHAPTER 7 Materiality and Spatial Quality 23 - 25

References 26
CHAPTER 1 The Movement and Social Background 29 - 31

Nakagin Capsule Tower
CHAPTER 2 The Architect's Background, Philosophy and Influences 32 - 34

Building 2:
CHAPTER 3 Introduction to the Building, Design Intention, and Design Concept 35 - 38

CHAPTER 4 Site Context, Space Planning and Design Principle 39 - 41

CHAPTER 5 Physical Characteristic of the Building in relation to the Architectural Style 42 - 44

CHAPTER 6 Structure and Technology 45 - 47

CHAPTER 7 Materiality and Spatial Quality 48 - 50

CHAPTER 8 Furniture and Art 51 - 52

References 53 - 54

Rubric Sheet 55
02
AMSTERDAM
ORPHANAGE
by
Aldo van Eyck
03
Amsterdam Orphanage
Introduction
We, as a student undertaking AR253 Architecture History in UCSI University, are given a
task to produce a booklet about Aldo van Eyck's failed project called the Amsterdam
Orphanage with the assist of Ms Sharon Ong and Ms Cheah Ee Von. Our group members
consist of
Ananda Sentosa 1002162447

Guo ZiXuan 1002161657
Ian Tan Ding Ye 1002058608
Angelica 1002162642
Christine 1002161639
Chiji Koki
Lew Si En 1002162442
This booklet consist of seven chapters which are The Movement and Social Background,
The Architect's Background, Philosophy and Influences, Introduction to the Building, Design
Intention, Design Concept, Site Concept, Space Planning and Design Principle, Physical
Characteristic of the Building in relation to the Architectural Style. Structure and
Technology, Materiality and Spatial Quality, Furniture and Art.
Each research are to be done and drawn individualy then compiled in this booklet.
04
Amsterdam Orphanage
Chapter 1
The Movement and Social Background
05
Amsterdam Orphanage
Chapter 1
06
Amsterdam Orphanage
Chapter 1
07
Amsterdam Orphanage
Chapter 2
The Architect's Background, Philosophy
and Influences
08
Amsterdam Orphanage
Chapter 2
The Architect's Background
Aldo Van Eyck was born on March 16, 1918 in the Netherlands, shortly after birth, he moved to
England with his family in 1919, completed secondary school at a local school, then spent in The
Hague in 1935 and 1938, and then at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. After graduating
from the ETH Zurich, he started design activities in 1944. From 1946 to 1950 he worked as a
member of the Urban Development Department of the city of Amsterdam.
He is interested in installing abstract objects and playsets in everyday spaces, creating situations
and gimmicks where minimal interference affects the urban environment and human behavior to
the maximum, and he is interested in creating a mechanism in the city of Amsterdam. In charge of
nearly 700 "Sparplats" projects (1947-1954).
Participated in De8 & Opbouw and was involved in the formulation of the Nagele Master Plan (1947-
1954).
He is involved in the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam in 1949, the Cobra exhibition in Liege in 1951, and
the exhibition plan for the Triennale di Milano in 1951.
In 1951, he collaborated with Gerrit Rietveld on architectural design, and at this time he was in
charge of art history at AKI Art & Design Enschede Art EZ in Enschede.
He taught interior design at the Applied Art School, which later became the Helit RietfeldAcademy.
He taught at the Amsterdam Academy of Architecture from 1954 to 1959 and at the Delft
University of Technology from 1966 to 1984.
In 1960, he went to Africa (Dogon village) to investigate the village, and announced "Children, Cities,
Artists" at the University of Pennsylvania.
Received the RIBA Gold Medal in 1990 and the Wolf Prize in Arts Architecture Award in 1996 and
1997.
He died on January 14, 1999 at the age of 80.
09
Amsterdam Orphanage
Chapter 2
Philosophy and Influences
Dutch structuralism is an architectural trend

that was established in Amsterdam in the late
1950s.
Dutch structuralism took a critical position
on modernist architecture represented by
CIAM and explored new architecture and
cities.
Aldo Van Eyck was at the center of this
movement. He is the main character of the
team formed after the dissolution of CIAM.
Rather than defining numbers in the
Cartesian X,Y and Z axes to create a
homogeneous space, it is important to put
your field in the center and be aware of its
surroundings and boundaries. Features
include ambiguity and ambiguity. It is also said
to be a reaction to modernist architecture
that was too functional. Since it was based
aldo van eyck on the village of Pueblo, it tends to focus on
the fundamental part of human beings, from
the change of part to the whole.
10
Amsterdam Orphanage
Chapter 3
Introduction to the Building, Design
Intention, and Design Concept
11
Amsterdam Orphanage
Chapter 3
Introduction to the Building
Architect : Aldo van Eyck

Location : Amsterdam , The Netherlands
Built in : 1955 to 1960
Building Type : Dormitory
Climate : Temperate
Context : Urban
Style : Modern architecture
Construction : System brick and Concrete
A mass movement, which

appealed
international back up, avoided pulverization.
Amsterdam orphanage brought the idea of facade an
The complex was rescued by a property
specific version of modern architectural. The building
agent, he bought the site together with the
fertilized by cube order and the equilibrium of repeat
building. In 1991, Van Eyck and his lover
use of marquees. Van Eyck’s fame as an archetype
Hannie designed the complex, they named it
creator was reinforced by the building of orphanage
as Tripolis in the previous resort area of
in the Amsterdam's outskirts and made a profound
Amsterdam orphanage. They renew the
impact on study places worldwide.
orphanage by removed and change quite a
Amsterdam orphanage such as a “casbah” (bastion) and
lot original design of buildings and its
a maze. It has of countless indoor and outdoor
functions. Three spaces that purposely
sections, they link together to form a complicated
made for the children
pattern which unite into together almost unnoticeably.
It became as National Monument started

In Van Eyck’s view, the private and the public were
from 2014.
intimately linked and the edge between the building and
the city had to be disconnected. In 1986, a program to
pulverize the orphanage was proclaimed.
12
Amsterdam Orphanage
Chapter 3
Design Intention and Concept
The orphanage designed by Van Eyck rapidly be famed the global over because of the typical construct
of the Amsterdam orphanage , a home for 125 children not grade boundary, jointing a subversive
combination in the consideration of the individual and the group ,of large and small areas
. . Van Eyck
took on a construct devised by L.B.Alberti, the parallelism between residence and urban center,
“a small world within a large, large worldwithin a small one, a house as a city, a city as A home “,
IJSBAA
NPAD
EG W
VEENSE
AMSTEL
The building emphasized on the progression of equally

use of elements that urged the idea of create a house
1 - Children 10-20
and a small city suburbs of Amsterdam.
ssssssssssssssssin
2 - Children 0-10
Being a CIAM (International Congress of Modern
3 - Administrative Offices
Architecture) participant and Team 10 founder, he
4 - Department Head
regarded postwar architecture as valued. This building
5 - Utilities
was the chance to turn his ideas into drill.
6 - Courtyards

7 - Outdoor Play Areas
8 - Main Kitchen
9 - Party Room
13
Amsterdam Orphanage
Chapter 4
Site Context, Space Planning and
Design Principle
14
Amsterdam Orphanage
Chapter 4
Site Context, Space Planning and Design Principle
DESIGN PRINCIPLE
This building is showing hierarchy in scale,
general rhythm and horizontally
SITE CONTEXT
Amsterdam Orphanage was located on

the outskirts of the city with a large
backyard at the back of the building. It
also got a large building surrounding the
orphanage.
15
Amsterdam Orphanage
Chapter 4
SPACE PLANNING
H
I
C
G
F
C
E
B
C D
private space human circulation

B
public space vehicular circulation
A festival hall
A
kid space B kids' dormitory
B
C teens' dormitory
courtyard D indoor streets
E linen/kitchen
B F faculty residence
G administrative office
H theatre/gym
I library
Everything is a space that is mainly related to its center, the center of which is formed
by the shape of the large dome, the lines that constitute the lattice produced on the
small scale of dome and the axially positioned door.

Van Eyck refers to the orphanage as a small urban study because it was commissioned
as an orphanage for children of all ages. At the orphanage, children were housed in
sleeping quarters, laundry room, gym, library, and administration room.
16
Amsterdam Orphanage
Chapter 5
Physical Characteristic of the Building
in relation to the Architectural Style
17
Amsterdam Orphanage
Chapter 5
Physical Characteristic of the Building in relation to the Architectural Style
Van Eyck utilized a fixed amount of simple

simplegeometric
geometric shapes to create interiors. Some of
the examples are circles and square, circles in squares, hexagons in circles, carving out and
building up an interior landscape that develops every orphans' growing stage.
A set of stacked
stacked
cylinders of diminishing
cylinders
diameter work as an
indoor mountain for the
infant quarters.
The children are able to

spot the elder ones
digging outside in a
covered circular
circular
sandpit through a plate-
glass window.
As for 10 to 14 year-old children, residents are able to have their meal at

the central
central communal table, which has the texture of terrazzo hexagon
hexagon,
with cylindrical
cylindrical stools as the shape.
18
Amsterdam Orphanage
Chapter 5
1. Interior
It is designed for the orphans of Amsterdam to live and grow in different sections of building. Each
sections are built in accordance to the childrens' age and living spatial
spacial qualities.
qualities. The concept of age
appropriate areas is created to allow children with similar ages to bond.
2. Exterior
The building is a collection of unique spaces joined together
by segmented wall ways or indoor streets where courtyards
apply to the building's aspect, displaying a prefect connection
between both spaces on the indoor as well as outdoor. One
of the more significant physical characteristic of
Amsterdam Orphanage is the pool designed on the outside for
2 to 4 years old orphans to play. Half of the pool is covered
by the roofing while the other half is opened to the sky. As
the sun shines, in between each concrete backrests has
pink-tinted glass to allow lights to reflect onto the surface
of the pool, this also allows the light the reflect from the
water up to the underside of the loggia
loggia *a gallery with open
sides*
19
Amsterdam Orphanage
Chapter 6
Structure and Technology
20
Amsterdam Orphanage
Chapter 6
Module structure
1. Skeleton: grid system
In the Amsterdam Orphanage, the dome is a prefabricated structure with a basic modular
factor of 3.36 m for the frames (small dome) and a dimensional span of the large dome of
The dimensions of the large dome span three frames, or 10.08 meters.
This modulus of elasticity of 3.36 is reflected not only in the frames and dome, but also in the
dimensions of the beams and walls of the building. For example, in the staff space, the dimensions
of the beams between the walls
In the staff space, the dimensions of the beams between the walls are 0.7 m * 3.36 m and the
walls are 2.5 m * 3.36 m.
The texture of the building plan also shows a clear grid texture. The presence of the grid allows
the formal order of the building to be shown in a clear manner. And this composition
This form of composition also makes the local plan texture of the building show similar
characteristics under a certain scale of observation. Through the combination of different
numbers of units in the plan of the Amsterdam Orphanage
We can find that the combination of different numbers of units in the plan texture of
Amsterdam Orphanage
There is a clear similarity between the square shapes composed of 1, 4, 9 and 16 cells.
The grid is an important reason for the existence of this similarity
21
Amsterdam Orphanage
Chapter 6
There are similarities between the units and groups of units in the section, and the overall plan
texture of the Amsterdam Orphanage shows a similar branching right of the trees
shape.
The overall plan is in the shape of a "Y", and the two branches of the "Y" are arranged in two
separate L-shaped residential clusters. The zig-zag shape is combined with the residential
clusters in the shape of a tree.
The building plan is extended by the similarity with the bifurcated tree figure.
22
Amsterdam Orphanage
Chapter 7
Materiality and Spatial Quality
23
Amsterdam Orphanage
Chapter 7
van Eyck wanted to design an orphanage that

could function as a home for children and also a
functioning as a mini-city. He's also interested in
non-hierarchical city development, therefore he
designed a structure with a lot of connecting
spaces to break down space hierarchy.
The structure is made up of two sizes of
modules: a smaller one for the apartments and a
larger one for the communal areas.
The four rounded columns on top makes up the

modules and the domed roof and the floor is
made out of pre-casted concrete. Transparent
glass walls and dark brown bricks are the
materials used to make the varying facades
around the orphanage. The street is also linked
with the administrative area, the entrance, the
courtyard, and the apartments, which are offset
diagonally from the residential spaces. By creating
interconnecting spaces, Van Eyck avoids
constructing a center point within the Orphanage.
24
Amsterdam Orphanage
Chapter 7
Units of programme are placed out on

an orthogonal grid within the
Orphanage.
Each unit has numerous exterior
facades since it is built along two
diagonal pathways. Van Eyck made the
same number of negative and positive
spaces by projecting off a diagonal
within the grid. After that, each unit is
encompassed by an outdoor space
that can function
25
Amsterdam Orphanage
References
26
Amsterdam Orphanage
Nakagin
Capsule
Tower
by
Kisho Kurokawa
27
Introduction
This booklet is produced by a group of UCSI University students who are studying under an
Architecture degree program semester 2 which includes seven (7) members, Sufi Nabil
Shuhaimi, Lok Chi Yin, Serena Chong Yi Shuen, Li Zhen Wei, Ibrahim, Tan Ke Er and Wong
Wen Qi with the assist of Ms Sharon Ong and Ms Cheah Ee Von to introduce Nakagin
Capsule Tower by Kisho Kurokawa.
The booklet is giving the understanding for the Metabolism Movement of Kisho Kurokawa
and describes the characteristics of the built environment and the facts that influence the
development. It looks into the architectural characteristics of Kisho Kurokawa's
architecture movement and which relate to design elements and principles, theories,
concepts and space planning.
It consists of eight (8) chapters which are The Movement and Social Background, The
Architect's Background, Philosophy and Influences, Introduction to the Building, Design
Intention, and Design Concept, Site Context, Space Planning and Design Principle, Physical
Characteristic of the Building in relation to the Architectural Style , Structure and
Technology, Materiality and Spatial Quality, and Furniture and Art.
It contains all the details of Nakagin Capsule Tower that explores more about the
building.
28
Chapter 1
Elaborates the definition of the metabolism movement and

discuss the metabolism movement of Kisho Kurokawa.

29
Chapter 1
METABOLISM
Metabolism was a form of radical architecture that emerged in Japan during the 1960s.
It was presented with the chance of post-war rebuilding as a result of devastation caused by the
1945 atomic bombs.
Many designers and architects began to put into practice alternative theories and ideas for how
cities should be designed.
Metabolism represented an urban environment that was responsive,replaceable and could grow
in an organic way. It largely followed the megastructure form that was gaining popularity
among architects and planners at the time.
The principles of the megastructure were that it had to be modular, capable of extension and
have a framework into which smaller elements could be replaced.
The Japanese Metabolists were particularly inspired by University of East Anglia's 'Ziggurats', as
well as by Moshe Safdie's Habitat 67 in Montreal.
Although many projects failed to get off the ground, examples of the Metabolist forms include
the battleship-esque New Sky Building in Shinjuku and the Nakagin Capsule Tower in Tokyo by
Kisho Kurokawa.
30
Chapter 1
NAKAGIN CAPSULE TOWER
Built in 1972, the Nakagin Capsule Tower was the benchmark of

Japan's post-war economic boom.
On the outskirts of Tokyo's posh Ginza district stands Nakagin
Capsule Tower, an unusual structure that once held Japan's
vision for the future.
The building was designed by Japanese architect Kisho
Kurokawa, a pioneer of the metabolist architectural ambition -
a 1960's movement that emphasized the idea of buildings
as dynamic and adaptable to a fast-paced, continually evolving
cityspace of the future.
From its exterior, the tower comprised of two concrete cores, 11
and 13 stories high, onto which are attached "removeable"
cubes.
In each cubes, measuring 107 square feet, was prefabricated in a
factory and then attached to the cores using 4 high-tension
bolts.
These capsule rooms are furnished with basic appliances and a
bathroom the size of an airplane lavatory.
The building was built in 1972 in just 30 days. Kurokawa
envisioned this building as the dawn of a new age.
Instead, the building became a utopia never realized. The
capsules, planned for a 25 year lifespan, proved too costly to
replace.
The tower now stands as an anachronism in the midst of the
more practical buildings that have sprung up around it.
31
Chapter 2
The Architect's Background, Philosophy
and Influences
A brief introduction to Kisho Kurokawa about his

background, design philosophy and also his influences.
32
Chapter 2
The Architect's Background, Philosophy and Influences
08 April 1934
Borned in Nagoya, Japan
Chronology of life

1957
After receiving undergraduate degree from Kyoto University, he studied
architecture under Tange Kenzo at the University of Tokyo

1959
Married Sumie Tsuchiya and had children but after that he had disvorced with
his wife

1960
Become one of the cofounders of the Metabolist movement

1976
Designed the landmark Sony Tower in Osaka

1980
Sought to create work with deeper sense of meaning because of his lost
interest in radically futuristic aspects of the Metabolist movement

1984
Married Ayako Wakao

KISHO KUROKAWA 1988-1989

Built the first art museum since World War II, the Hiroshima City Museum of
Contemporary Art
A Japanese architect whose original
name is Kurokawa Noriaki. He is one of 1989-1991

Displayed awareess of the area’s architecture in his Nara City Musuem of
the member who leads the Metabolist Photography

movement in 1960s and '70s. He was Late 1980

Received international commissions from Melbourne Central (1986- 91), an
reputed to be the most influential office and retail space in Australia, the Sporting Club (1987- 90) in Chicago
and an addition to the Van Gogh Musuem (1990-98) in Amsterdam
Japanese architect because he was the
person who tends to design the 1990

Designed Chinese-Japanese Youth Center in Beijing
adaptable structures but never lost his
1992-1998
reverence for the delicacy of traditional Design for the Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Japanese influences - in designing the 1998

geometrical forms and insisted they Designed the stone and titanium New Wing of Amsterdam’s Van Gogh
Museum
retain an often-invisible thread of
12 October 2007
Eastern aesthetics (Wallace, 2007). Died Friday of heart failure in a Tokyo hospital

33
Chapter 2
The Architect's Background, Philosophy and Influences
He come out with a theory which is “symbiosis” and

according to the theory, he said it is an alternative
conceptual model for Japanese architecture that
simultaneously embodies seemingly conflicting ideas. So
his large-scale architectural projects, either it is built or
unbuilt, they are parallel to his theoretical writing
regarding architecture in the Postmodern era and reflect
his attempt to define an essential character of Japanese
architecture.
He never fully abandoned his commitment to Metabolist

thought where he wants to adapt the ideas of natural
systems and the life cycle of buildings to become a
significant advocate for sustainable design in his later
year (Zukowsky, n.d.).
His philosophy was applied by displaying in the designs

such as the replaceable pods of the Nakagin Capsule
Tower built in Tokyo in 1972 and the Kuala Lumpur
He was the most radical who became an International Airport that incorporated a transplanted
advocate for buildings with a central core tropical rain forest into a design based on abstract Islamic
onto which modules and capsules could be domes (Wallace, 2007).
attached. He realized that the organic view
of architecture in the buildings can be
completed such as the Nakagin Capsule
Tower in Tokyo and the Sony Tower in Osaka
by making the detachable spaces intended to
be apartments or studios were installed on a
concrete core that allows the building to
adapt to its changing needs.
34
Chapter 3
Introduction to the Building, Design
Intention, and Design Concept
Introduce to the Nakagin Capsule Tower by describing

about its design intention and design concept.
35
Chapter 3
Introduction to the Building
Japan
Nagakin Capsule Tower
Tokyo
Architect: Kisho Kurokawa

Location: Tokyo, Japan
Year: Completed in 1972
Site Plan
"Nagakin Capsule Tower Site area: 442m2
realises the idea of This residential tower
metabolism, exchangeability, is located at the
recyclability, and Ginza area of Tokyo.
sustainability" ("Nagakin
capsule tower, n.d.).
Ground Floor Plan

It is a 14 story high tower which Building area: 430m2
has 140 capsules combined at Total floor area: 3091m2
the angles around the central
Each capsule measures 4 x 2.5
core that capable for 140
meters and installed to the
individuals to live in. It is a
concrete core with only four
mixed-system structure that two
high tension bolts which allows
reinforced concrete and steel
replacement occurs.
frame pillars of asymmetric
West Elevation
heights. 36
Chapter 3
Design Intention
During the time, Japan is having The capsules are arranged
high demand of Japanese real in a random pattern which
estate in the cities as the showing a progression as
economics started to grow and Kisho Kurokawa wanted to
develop. Construction concept bring up the idea of
that will not last forever also metabolism that the
was being introduced to building can grow, adapt
preserve the recent past. and die like the organic
Kisho Kurokawa wished to elements in the nature.
design a building with high He mentioned that this
Nagakin Capsule Tower is flexibility that the capsules of incomplete look as the
targeting for the traveller the tower can be arranged “aesthetic of time,”
and businessmen as it is according to the need, the referring to the
built in the centre of the capsules can be added or taken metabolism’s central notion
city. It provides a away to change the appearance of the city as process (Lin,
temporary rest place for of the tower. n.d.).
the one who always spend Besides, the building is designed
a lot of time in travelling. to be able to demolish. Thus,
Kisho Kurakawa also the capsules did not fully
assumed himself as client. engulf the tower which gives
He claimed that he will the sense of continuation.
spend 20% of his time at
outside and another 20% of
time in other local cities
outside of Tokyo. He spent
a lot of his time in hotels,
cars, and aeroplanes
(Kurokawa, 1977). South Elevation West Section
Detail of system of joining capsule to shaft
37
Chapter 3
Design Concept
Metabolism, also known He embraced the concepts of prefabrication
as shinchintaisha which and renewal by designing the capsule tower
describes the process of using steel shipping containers instead of
maintaining living cells using the natural materials like timber which
and emulating the living are widely used in Japan.
things. He applied the concept of honesty by showing
all the natural textures and colours of the
materials.
He emphasizes receptivity that would allow
Japan to develop and become one of the
largest and developed country in the world.
Kisho Kurokawa focused on keeping He also focused on the details of the building.
traditional Japanese concepts invisible, His approach is more focusing on the
especially materiality, impermanence, autonomy of the building parts.
receptivity, and detail. He confessed about the attention to detail is
He derived the concept of Buddhism; an important key to understand his own
everything is equal and interchangeable in architecture and the belief in the importance
a system and cycle. According to Ishida of details also suggests the new hierarchy.
(2017), in the Metabolist spirit of continual
growth and Buddhist notion of constant
renewal, the capsule living units were
designed to be replaced every 25 years
while the concrete cores would
permanently remain.
He also emphasizes the concept of
sustainability. His concept of replaceability
and adaptability based on the notion of a
metabolic city, to a certain extent, provides
Icon Arrangement East Elevation
a precedent for the exploration of
38
sustainable architecture.
Chapter 4
Site Context, Space Planning and
Design Principle
Study on the site where the Nakagin Capsule Tower located,

how does the space are planned in designing the building
and also the design principles.
39
Chapter 4
Nakagin Cpsule Tower is used as a residential and office tower.

It is located in the Ginza neighbourhood. The view from the
upper floors of the tower thus encompassed an unobstructed
panoroma on Hama-Rikyu Garden and Tokyo Bay, on the
Eastern side and Tokyo Tower when facing the south of the
capital. This Building was conceived as two towers with 140
detachable and replaceable capsule which could be used as
studios or residences. Each of the capsule mirrored the structure
and scale of shipping container (7.5 x 12.5 x 7 feet/lightweight
steel frame with reinforced steel panels) but with a porthole
window in Plexiglas of 4.5 ft diameter. The tower contains
circulations and service spaces, are connected to each other via
Site Plan
outdoor bridges every three floors and serve as a vertical
"artificial land," upon which capsule would be installed.
40
Chapter 4
At the entrance, there are sanitary facilities with

toilets and bathrooms, that is closed by a door it
somehow remind that those of the campers or
long-distance flights. A main living space divided
into 2 zones, a wall with a custom built-in
furniture and a small foldable table to eat work or
entertainment with the fitted equipment
(television, telephone, radio, and hi-fi stereo),
A sleeping corner with a 1-person bed, a lamp and
sometimes an armchair
The interior of the capsules was designed using

industrial technologies. The capsules were
prefabricated and assembled by railroad vehicle and
North Section vessel manufacturers in other cities. After being
transported to the building site, they were hoisted by
crane and fastened to the concrete shafts starting
from the bottom up.
show repetition by the arrangment of the capsules
41
Chapter 5
Physical Characteristic of the Building
in relation to the Architectural Style
Talk about the physical characteristic that consisted by

Nakagin Capsule Tower which are related to the
architectural style.
42
Chapter 5
Nakagin Capsule Tower Technical

Information
-Typology: Residential / Apartments
-Materials: Steel and Reinforced Concrete
-Stories: 13 Floors (140 Units)
-Total Floor Area: 3,091.23 m2
（2）--as each module can be plugged

in to the central core and replaced or
exchanged when necessary
--A total of 140 capsules are stacked and rotated at varying angles around a
，
central core, standing 14-stories high which keeps the units replaceable
-- Each capsule measures 4 x 2.5 meters, permitting enough room for
--The interior space of each module can be manipulated by connecting

the capsule to other capsules.
--Each capsule measures 2.5 m (8.2 ft) by 4.0 m (13.1 ft) with a
1.3-meter diameter window at the end. They function as a small
living space or an office, and they can be connected to create larger
areas
43
Chapter 5
1. The whole building is gray,

most of which are the color of
the building materials
themselves, focusing on the
beauty of the structure itself,
the shape is simple, opposes
redundant decoration, and
advocates reasonable
composition technology;
respects the characteristics of
materials, and pays attention to
the texture and color of the
materials themselves.
Configuration effect
2. The mixed-use residential and
office tower is a rare example of
Japanese Metabolism, an
architectural movement
emblematic of Japan’s postwar
cultural resurgence. It was the
world’s first example of capsule
architecture built for permanent
and practical use
44
Chapter 6
Study about the structure of Nakagin Capsule Tower

(supported by the drawings) that how it is built successfully
with the theory of "symbiosis" and what does the technology
is used in the construction.
45
Chapter 6
The Nakagin Capsule Tower Building is a "mixed system"

structure that combines traditional architecture and
modern technology into one unit. It consists of two
reinforced concrete and steel columns of asymmetric height,
both of which house public facilities such as stairs,
elevators, plumbing and electrical systems.
46
Chapter 6
Replaceable, removable and

transportable steel frame capsules
are prefabricated in a professional
factory and assembled in the
factory before being delivered to
the construction site. Each is lifted
by a mechanical crane and
attached to the tower shaft with
four high pressure bolts.
capsules are 7.5 feet x 12.5 feet x

7 feet in size. It consists of a
lightweight welded steel frame.
The structure is the same.
Kurokawa's design concept focuses on how
Shipping Container Size and Size-
to make the most efficient use of living
And covered with zinc-plated
space to meet people's daily needs.
ribbed reinforced steel panels
Borrowing the term "capsule" from the
finished with a glossy Kenitex
aerospace industry (already knowing that
spray. Each pod has a 4¼ foot
many spacecraft have adopted the idea of
diameter plexiglass porthole. Due
efficient use of space), he has an 8-foot x
to the unique shape of the
with a built-in bathroom. Equipped with a
capsule, Charles Jencks later
12-foot rectangular cabin, double bed,
jokingly described the building as
desk, closet, TV, tape deck, typewriter,
a "washing machine stacked on
calculator, clock radio, 2 burner stove.
top of each other."
47
Chapter 7
Explore the materials that is used to construct Nakagin

Capsule Tower and explain about it spatial quality through
the drawings.
48
Chapter 7
prefabricated steel
steel frame
reinforced concrete
glass
steel frame
The material of the core is reinforced concrete. The

ordinary concrete was used from basement to the
second floor. Lightweight concrete was used for the
above those levels.
Formed of two interconnected towers made of

concrete, the Nakagin Capsule Tower was built of 140 1. plaster wall, cloth ceiling
2. lightweight steel frame
prefabricated steel modules bolted onto the main 3. steel sprayed with rust-preventative paint
shafts. (Block, 2021) 4. hight-tension bolts
49
Chapter 7
capsule room
lift
staircase
Each capsule was assembled off-site and then

attached to a concrete pillar so each one could be
removed without affecting the others.
Each tower houses a central elevator with a
private staircase winding around it.
semi-private
public
open urban space
50
Chapter 8
Furniture and Art
Not only looks at the exterior space of Nakagin Capsule

Tower, the interior space of the building also consists such
furniture and art which was designed by Kisho Kurokawa.
51
Chapter 8
Furniture and Art
Edo Table
Japanese Edo
Side Chair
Red Leather Edo Chair Black

Lacquered Over Ash
Fractal Chair
52
References
53
54
Rubric Sheet
55

AR253 History 2 - Structuralism and Metabolism

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AR253 History 2 - Structuralism and Metabolism

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Nakagin

Aldo van Eyck

CHAPTER 2 The Architect's Background, Philosophy and Influences 08 - 10

CHAPTER 3 Introduction to the Building, Design Intention, and Design Concept 11 - 13

CHAPTER 4 Site Context, Space Planning and Design Principle 14 - 16

CHAPTER 5 Physical Characteristic of the Building in relation to the Architectural Style 17 - 19

CHAPTER 6 Structure and Technology 20 - 22

CHAPTER 7 Materiality and Spatial Quality 23 - 25

CHAPTER 1 The Movement and Social Background 29 - 31

CHAPTER 2 The Architect's Background, Philosophy and Influences 32 - 34

CHAPTER 3 Introduction to the Building, Design Intention, and Design Concept 35 - 38

CHAPTER 4 Site Context, Space Planning and Design Principle 39 - 41

CHAPTER 5 Physical Characteristic of the Building in relation to the Architectural Style 42 - 44

CHAPTER 6 Structure and Technology 45 - 47

CHAPTER 7 Materiality and Spatial Quality 48 - 50

CHAPTER 8 Furniture and Art 51 - 52

Aldo van Eyck

Ananda Sentosa 1002162447

He died on January 14, 1999 at the age of 80.

Dutch structuralism is an architectural trend

Architect : Aldo van Eyck

A mass movement, which

It became as National Monument started

The building emphasized on the progression of equally

Amsterdam Orphanage was located on

private space human circulation

Van Eyck utilized a fixed amount of simple

The children are able to

As for 10 to 14 year-old children, residents are able to have their meal at

van Eyck wanted to design an orphanage that

The four rounded columns on top makes up the

Units of programme are placed out on

Elaborates the definition of the metabolism movement and

NAKAGIN CAPSULE TOWER

Built in 1972, the Nakagin Capsule Tower was the benchmark of

A brief introduction to Kisho Kurokawa about his

KISHO KUROKAWA 1988-1989

name is Kurokawa Noriaki. He is one of 1989-1991

movement in 1960s and '70s. He was Late 1980

person who tends to design the 1990

Japanese influences - in designing the 1998

He come out with a theory which is “symbiosis” and

He never fully abandoned his commitment to Metabolist

His philosophy was applied by displaying in the designs

Introduce to the Nakagin Capsule Tower by describing

Architect: Kisho Kurokawa

Ground Floor Plan

Study on the site where the Nakagin Capsule Tower located,

Nakagin Cpsule Tower is used as a residential and office tower.

At the entrance, there are sanitary facilities with

The interior of the capsules was designed using

show repetition by the arrangment of the capsules

Talk about the physical characteristic that consisted by

Nakagin Capsule Tower Technical

（2）--as each module can be plugged

-- Each capsule measures 4 x 2.5 meters, permitting enough room for

--The interior space of each module can be manipulated by connecting

1. The whole building is gray,

Study about the structure of Nakagin Capsule Tower

The Nakagin Capsule Tower Building is a "mixed system"

Replaceable, removable and

capsules are 7.5 feet x 12.5 feet x