Friend, join us now, from now on, every Thursday, for the Foxy Lollop “Thursday Tracery,” as I open up the coffers to the rich bank of unrequited imagination which is my sketchbook and share inspirations most perfunctory for all eyes to see. Gaze upon my hapless talent.

In another train of thought, it is not without a certain amount of sadness I learned that the marvelment known as the Nakagin Capsule Tower in Ginza, Tokyo is going to be torn down.

This architectural achievement was designed to accommodate thirteen floors of interlocking cubes, or “capsules” which were, in essence, self-contained living areas. Each 2.3m x 3.8m x 2.1m capsule was built off-site in a factory, then attached to the building structure by four bolts which permitted modulation, so as to re-configure the areas into larger dwellings. Architect Kisho Kurokawa’s vision was to have the spaces replaced ever so often. It has never happened once.

The Capsule Tower has fallen into disrepair and dolor. The building’s management felt it best to crumble it all to rubble. Among the reasons behind their decision is the building’s questionable ability to resist earthquakes (despite remaining erect since 1972 through some pretty savage tremors) and its inefficient use of valulable land. Yes, it appears there is less and less room for daring and quirk in a world which seems to become more homogenized and faultless. Hopefully, efficiency will still have enough room for life.

Lo! This comic was auspiciously added on Thursday, May 3rd, 2007 at 12:12 am. You may pursue any ongoing conversations attached to this comic through the ever-watchful RSS 2.0 feed. You may leave a response, or trackback from your own site.