(16 images and 1 video included in this post) The Nakagin Tower is located in the Ginza area of Tokyo; the Nagakin Capsule Tower was originally designed as a Capsule Hotel to provide economical housing for businessmen working late in central Tokyo.

It 14-story high Tower with 140 capsules stacked at angles around a central cores and the units are detachable and replaceable. Kurokawa developed the technology to install the capsule units into the concrete core with only 4 high-tension bolts, as well as making the units detachable and replaceable.

The one-man-room capsule, a modified (4 x 2.5 meter) shipping container, has a circular window, a built-in bed and bathroom unit, and is complete with TV, radio and alarm clock. The capsule interior was pre-assembled in a factory then hoisted by crane and fastened to the concrete core shaft.

Architect: Kisho Kurokawa
Design / Construction:1970-1972
Building Area: 429.51 meters
Total Floor Area: 3,091.23 meters

Size: 107.6 sq. ft / 10 sq. m (4×2.5m)
Location: Tokyo, Ginza, Japan
Building type: High-rise Tower Apartment
Construction: Steele structure with attached capsules
Cost/Price:
Cost of renovations: N/A

The Nakagin Capsule Tower, not long after its construction. © Kisho Kurokawa Architect & Associates. Photo: Tomio Ohashi.
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Kurokawa developed the technology to install the capsule units into the concrete core with only 4 high-tension bolts, as well as making the units detachable and replaceable.
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Recent photo.

You Tube Video – Interview with Architect Kisho Kurokawa

Sources:

http://dailycontributor.com/the-futuristic-nakagin-capsule-tower/2488/

http://dailycontributor.com/the-futuristic-nakagin-capsule-tower/2488/#ixzz1DvdrTGOY

Under Creative Commons License: Attribution Non-Commercial

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakagin_Capsule_Tower

http://www.arcspace.com/architects/kurokawa/nakagin/nakagin.html

http://www.planetaryfolklore.com/2010/05/nakagin-capsule-tower.html

http://www.fiorebuildingworkshop.com/