Movement

Metabolism

1960–1975

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Postwar Japanese movement proposing adaptable, expandable, impermanent megastructures inspired by organic growth and change.

Ephemerality Infrastructure Type

Details

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Classifications

Holder: Individual
Source of authority: ReasonObservation
Subject: Human centred
Degree of codification: Pattern based
Mode of transmission: Text drawing
Knowledge type: Propositional
Epistemic cluster: East asianWestern philosophical

Connections

influenced Archigram
associated with Megastructure

Referenced by

Metabolism 1960 exemplifies
Kisho Kurokawa associated with
Kenzo Tange associated with
Nakagin Capsule Tower exemplifies
Kisho Kurokawa founded
Fumihiko Maki associated with
Arata Isozaki associated with

Sources

Kurokawa, K. Metabolism in Architecture. Studio Vista, 1977.

Cite this entry

First published May 2026Last revised Jul 2026

CLAD. "Metabolism." Atlas of Architectural Thought. CLAD, 2026. https://www.cl-ad.com.au/research/atlas/movement/metabolism/. Accessed July 17, 2026.