Crystallized

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Nicolai Ouroussoff has an engaging article in today's New York Times about the Nakagin Capsule Tower, designed by Kisho Kurokawa, a member of the Japanese Metabolism movement. The tower was built in 1972 and is now threatened by developers, disrepair and demolition. Here is an excerpt from the piece:

"..for many of us who believe that the way we treat our cultural patrimony is a fair measure of how enlightened we are as a society, the building’s demolition would be a bitter loss. The Capsule Tower is not only gorgeous architecture; like all great buildings, it is the crystallization of a far-reaching cultural ideal. Its existence also stands as a powerful reminder of paths not taken, of the possibility of worlds shaped by different sets of values."

Hopefully they find some way to preserve the building. Here are some images of the tower, the first showing the built-ins which include a tape deck mounted into the wall.

Click here for the article and more images.