Official

The Central Bank Capsule Tower Building is a condominium completed in 1972, but it is not just a condominium.
　

In the words of the pamphlet at that time, it is made based on the concept of "capsule mansion", and each part like a Lego block with a round window is a dwelling unit (= capsule), and two brown towers (= core) It has a structure with capsules attached like a tree branch.
　

The core part is designed so that the spiral staircase surrounds the elevator, so if you look closely, you can see that the capsules are gradually attached to the spiral staircase.

And the biggest feature of this "capsule" is that the capsule part is detachable and designed so that it can be replaced individually. The size of the capsule (outer shape) is 2.67m wide x 4.17m deep x 2.55m high, and it seems that the capsules produced at the factory can be transported on the road.

　
In fact, it is impossible to replace all capsules without removing them due to construction reasons, and unfortunately there is no track record of replacing them, but this design reflects the idea of the architectural movement called "metabolism" developed by a group of Japanese architects in the 1960s.
Parts are replaced in line with social changes, and functions are changed as if they were metabolism (metabolism).…At that time, such a form of architecture was conceived.
(By the way, I think that the design that extends in line with the expansion of the city of the "Old Dentsu Headquarters Building" designed by Kenzo Tange, which I wrote earlier, can be said to be one form that embodies the "Metabo Rhythm."

In the tour, we entered one of the dwelling units owned by the preservation and regeneration project.
Since one capsule is the size described above, the area per unit is about 10 m2, which is quite small for ordinary houses. Therefore, it is assumed that it will be used as a "business capsule" such as housing where businessmen live on weekdays, corporate offices and conference rooms, and customer accommodation, and used to be bed making services, cleaning services, secretary services (capsule Lady) etc. It seems that services similar to hotels were provided.

Because it is a condominium, it seems that the owner of each capsule customizes the interior as he likes and lives (you can see the situation in books, etc.), but the dwelling unit I visited Is kept close to the time of sale.

In addition to storage, the walls are equipped with "equipment" such as TVs, radios, telephones, alarm clocks, cassettes, etc., and are excited about the design reminiscent of a boat cockpit.

When you open a part of the wall, the work desk comes out like this, and it has the pleasure of a secret base.

It is an interior that makes you feel the background of the times when architecture as an industrial "equipment" was pursued.

Although it is such a central bank capsule tower building, there are constant interviews and tours from Japan and abroad, and some people are newly moved in due to the efforts of conservation and regeneration projects.

However, while there are voices internationally recognizing its value as an architecture that reflects the concept of metabolism, there are currently some debates that dismantling and rebuilding should be done due to aging or other reasons.

It is a fluid situation to see what fate this building will follow in the future, but as an individual opinion, I hope that this building, which has high architectural historical value, will be preserved in some way in the future.…！ I just wish.

In the Central Bank Capsule Tower Building Preservation and Regeneration Project, in addition to tour tours, "Monthly Capsule", which allows you to rent a room of capsules from one month, and book publications, are transmitted in various forms.
It is a valuable experience to be able to see the inside of the building, so if you are interested, please visit the website of the Preservation and Regeneration Project!