Block Play

EDITORIAL PICK of Re-Draw.05: Nakagin Capsule Tower
+ EDITORIAL PICK
Re-Draw.05: Nakagin Capsule Tower
Block Play
Team
Name: Nadya Prasetyo
Nationality: Indonesian
Institution / Company: Curtin University
Can architecture be used to fuel the creative potential of young minds? The Nakagin Capsule Tower is one of the early examples of modular architecture resulting from the Metabolist movement in Japan. It is conceptualized to address a perpetually growing population and scarcity of vacant land in the urban environment. Because its design resembles blocks being stacked upon each other, it is reimagined as a building block set for children to play as they explore the countless ways to arrange the capsule units. It also resonates with the fact that children are naturally curious about their surroundings, which is integral to their overall development.
However, the recent disassembly of the Tower posed a heavy impact to Japan’s architectural history. Therefore, the toy serves as a legacy which holds a deep connection with its socio-cultural context, where the concepts of adaptability and design-for-disassembly has greatly shaped the world of architecture to this day.
Jury Comments
+ ARCHEZ
The fact that this tower, which was a great example of modular architecture, has been transformed into a toy for young minds is fascinating. What’s even more interesting about this concept is that it also promotes, in a way, children’s interest in architecture. This toy not only serves the purpose of recreation but also stimulates their minds, which has indescribable value. Congratulations.

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