it is still inspiring to see kisho kurokawa‘s nagakin capsule building in ginza, even as the structure falls apart and faces demolition – the building is a monument to an idea, otherwise unlivable, and in all of its ugliness and simplicity reveals more about the way tokyo’s residents actually live than any other building. the metabolist structure represents organic growth and, ironically, decay. unlike moishe safdie’s habitat, the capsule tower has not been maintained by its residents and grows more squalid each year. but the power of the concept might survive its practical use – architects have been fighting to keep the structure alive, probably by replacing the modular and asbestos-filled capsules as the architect originally intended. it was still there last week – so we can sustain the hope that the metabolist ideal survive and for the building to sprout new pods as it always wanted to do.