Tokyo's Nakagin Capsule Tower, the 20th-century metabolist landmark by architect Kisho Kurokawa, is set to be disassembled and donated to museums or turned into rental units.
Located in the Ginza neighbourhood and built over the course of just 30 days in 1972, the housing block is considered a rare example of Japanese metabolism.
Top: the Nakagin Capsule Tower is made of steel modules. Photo is by Michael. Above: the building is a landmark of Tokyo's Ginza neighbourhood. Photo is by Kakidai
Much of the concrete and steel tower has fallen into disrepair and has been under threat of demolition since 2007.
Now, owners and residents of Nakagin Capsule Tower have decided to sell their homes and divvy up the capsules after attempts to find a buyer prepared to fund the restoration failed. The tower will now be taken apart and repurposed. Photo is by Kakidai
A module is already on display at Japan's Museum of Modern Art Saitama and the Centre Pompidou in Paris is reportedly keen to acquire one for its collection.
The owners are now crowdfunding to renovate the remaining 139 capsules so that they can be donated to institutions, or be relocated elsewhere in Tokyo and rented out to people who want to experience staying in one.

Kisho Kurokawa, who died in 2007, originally designed the modular housing block to attract single businessmen ? the archetypal Japanese salaryman ? looking for a compact and conveniently located apartment.
Formed of two interconnected towers made of concrete, t...