Category: 70s

1973 – Hotel Okura South Wing – Yoshiro Taniguchi

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After the tragic demolition of the main building, built in 1964 by Yoshiro Taniguchi, the remaining South Wing allows to retrace its architecure: Located in Toranomon on what had been a feudal estate, the Okura is an extraordinary testament to a key moment in Japanese design. It was built by an exceptionally gifted and diverse group that included the architects Yoshiro Taniguchi and Hideo Kosaka, the folk artist Shiko Munakata and the potter Kenkichi Tomimoto. Together they created a unique modern design that referenced the traditional colours, shapes and crafts of Japan.

Unlike many postwar Tokyo buildings, whose primary models of modernism were strictly Western, the Okura was built to evoke Japanese-ness, at least as perceived by foreigners. Among other frills, this meant hexagonal hanging lamps shaped like ancient gems and partitions edged with kimono fabrics.

Name: Hotel Okura South Wing│Type: Hotel│Architect: Yoshiro Taniguchi │Completed: 1973

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1972 – Nagakin Capsule Tower – Kisho Kurokawa

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1972 – Nagakin Capsule Tower – Kisho Kurokawa
1972 – Nagakin Capsule Tower – Kisho Kurokawa

The module of Nagakin Capsule Tower was created with the intention of housing traveling businessmen that worked in central Tokyo during the week. 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. Built close to Shimbashi Station, a total of 140 capsules are stacked and rotated at varying angles around a central core, standing 14-stories high. The technology developed by architect Kisho 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.

Residents of the tiny pods are now plotting its demolition; although the capsules were built to be replacable, the building has not been maintained in over 35 years which has led to drainage and damaged water pipes. Architects from around the world are trying to work together to preserve the towers, considering all ideas and options.

Name: Nagakin Capsule Towers│Type: Residential│Architect: Kisho Kurokawa │Completed: 1972

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1971 – Pola Home Offices – Nikken Sekkei

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1971 – Pola Home Offices – Nikken Sekkei

The Pola Home Offices building achieves a synthesis between structural design and architectural and spatial articulation. In between two stair-and-elevator cores at the ends, large, story-high girders are spanned providing a solution wherebythe space of the lobby could be freed from intermediary columns. The lobby seems to expand beyond its physical limits and to be defined by the train embankment in front and the equally sloping and planted roof at the back.

Name: Pola Home Offices│Type: Office│Architect: Nikken Sekkei │Completed: 1971

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1970 – Niban-kan – Minoru Takeyama

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1970 – Niban-kan – Minoru Takeyama

An enigmatic Japanese building, the Niban-kan, became renowned after its appearence on the cover of Charles Jencks’ “The Language of Post-Modern Architecture” in 1977. Its rise to the status of an icon of Supergraphics, along with its adjacent brother building the Ichiban-kan, would overshadow its great urban qualities. Originally it was painted colorful with geometric patterns in yellow, red, black and grey. Today the building appears in restrained in black and grey, it unfortunately lost of its iconographic quality.

Name: Niban-kan│Type: Commercial│Architect: Minoru Takeyama│Completed: 1970

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1970 – New Sky Building – Yoji Watanabe

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1970 – New Sky Building – Yoji Watanabe
1970 – New Sky Building – Yoji Watanabe
1970 – New Sky Building – Yoji Watanabe
1970 – New Sky Building – Yoji Watanabe
1970 – New Sky Building – Yoji Watanabe
1970 – New Sky Building – Yoji Watanabe

Altough not as famous as Kisho Kurokawa’s emblematic Nakagin Capsule Tower, the ominous New Sky Building designed by Yoji Watanabe is one of the jewels from the Metabolist movement. The building completed in 1972 in Shinjuku features bolt-on units and balconies characteristic of Metabolism’s ideal of modularity. Its naval appearance isn’t accidental as Watanabe, supposedly born on a US navy ship, borrowed techniques from submarine building. The theme culminates in the roof design which features a battleship deck-looking floor, with a defining submarine sail-like concrete structure.

Name: New Sky Building│Type: Housing│Architect: Yoji Watanabe│Completed: 1970

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1970 – Embassy of Kuwait – Kenzo Tange

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1970 – Embassy of Kuwait – Kenzo Tange
1970 – Embassy of Kuwait – Kenzo Tange
1970 – Embassy of Kuwait – Kenzo Tange

The project consists of two distinct parts: the ambassador’s residence and the chancellery. Since the building program has these two distinct spaces, one chooses to place them according to their private or public appearance. Thus, on the first floors of the chancery building it is located while on top residence and dining room is located, clearly turned towards the courtyard as they would the typical Arab houses, giving privacy to the rooms. Despite this provision and space division, both have a common entrance.

The program centers around two vertical communication is distributed. On the ground floor is the entrance courtyard and lobby. From these one can go to the residence and access your waiting room or to access their respective embassy and waiting room. The basement is divided into two spaces at different heights containing the garage and the engine room. As one moves into the building first space is dedicated to the Foreign Ministry and then own the house of the ambassador.

Name: Embassy of Kuwait│Type: Governmental│Architect: Kenzo Tange│Completed: 1970

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