The Work of Kisho Kurokawa : Capsule, metabolism, spaceframe, metamorphose [+ vynil record and poster]

Capsule, metabolism, spaceframe, metamorphose by Kisho Kurokawa (other title Kisho Kurokawa: his work), was published by Bijitshu Shopansha, Tokyo, in 1970, the same year as Expo’70 in Osaka. Primarily a visual scrapbook with a mix of Western Victorian-style graphics with traditional Japanese imagery and text, the book consists of images that show the construction of the pavilions at the Expo, as well as drawings and photographs of models that illustrate the use of prefabricated parts and a space frame. The book, which measures 27 cm x 37 cm, came with a large folded poster (see image) as well as a 7 inch vinyl record entitled ‘Music for living space’. The record can be listened on youtube, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsqazgILD9M As well as documenting the pavilions at Expo’70, the book includes some of Kurokawa’s earlier work such as designs for flats and other housing, the Seattle Civic Center Fountain competition of 1961, office buildings, town planning schemes and hotels. As the elements of architecture are related to the human body, they are also interlinked with the biological concept, the idea that architecture and cities can behave like living organisms. Kisho Kurokawa was one of the founders of the Japanese Metabolist Movement in 1960. Metabolism expressed the idea that the city is an organism with different areas of growth, so architecture had to change and be flexible. — F.to: 27x37; pagg. 94; rileg. rigida in cofanetto. Editore: Bijitshu Shuppan Sha, Tokyo, 1970.