METABOLISM ARCHITECTURE

Metabolism (新陳代謝 shinchintaisha) was a post-war Japanese architectural movement that fused ideas about architectural megastructures with those of organic biological growth.

Metabolism is defined as “the chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life”. This architecture was inspired by the dynamic changing landscape and demands of the people, that if the people were changing and adapting, so should architecture and buildings. Thus the buildings incorporated an organic element, with a “metabolism”. They built a structure that could incorporate prefabricated, interchangeable cell-like parts easily attached and removed when they grow old and unusable.

A well known example of a building that utilized metabolism architecture is Nakagin Capsule Tower in Tokyo.

Kurokawa developed this building to be able to install the capsule units into a concrete core with only 4 high-tension bolts, as well as making the units detachable and replaceable. Each individual capsule is designed to accommodate the individual as either an apartment or studio space, and by connecting units can also accommodate a family. Complete with appliances and furniture, from audio system to telephone, the capsule interior is pre-assembled in a factory off-site. The interior is then hoisted by crane and fastened to the concrete core shaft. The Nakagin Capsule Tower realizes the ideas of metabolism, exchangeability, recycleablity as the prototype of sustainable architecture.

Some notable features that define this movement includes:

1. They are big-scale structures capable of growing organically in different direction, such as vertically and horizontally.

2. The design of the buildings do not follow the modernists’ views of ‘Form follows Function’, but allow the spaces and forms to be adapted to changeable function in the future, dependent on the needs and demands of the people in the environment.

3. Adaptable plug-in mega-structures, which express the progress in building technology, allowing cost-effecient change in structure without demolishing the entire building.

MODULAR STRUCTURE IN NATURE

Zoomed in Fish Scales

Zoomed in Butterfly Wings

Honeycombs

Compound Fly’s Eyes

Perhaps modular structure exists in nature so that if a skin or surface is damaged, it is easily replaced through shedding. Alternatively, if the surface grows in size over time, such as if a fish were to grow bigger it is easily ‘layered’ on.

MAN-MADE MODULAR STRUCTURE

Space Truss utilized lightweight, interlocking struts in a geometric pattern. Some other considerations of creating supports with plenty of voids could be a lattice structure. A benefit of using this is that it allows weight to be supported over a large space without utilizing too much material.

the “inside out sock” concept to allow pipes and ducts in a building to be visible from the outside, giving light to what is commonly hidden in buildings.