Although not as iconic as the Nakagin Capsule Tower, the New Sky Building (aka Gunkan Mansion, or “Warship Condo”) stands as a landmark to architectural imagination. Could you ever imagine a concrete block with a battleship turret perched on the top like some grounded sea fortress? It exists in Tokyo.
Designed by Youji Watanabe, it is a testament to the Seventies Metabolism movement and the third in its creator’s “Gunkan” series. Although finished in 1970 for years it has resembled a monolithic ruin.
Actually a transformation was slowly taking place. It seems that restoration work is finally complete on the building and tenants are to be allowed in from April. Re-baptized the Higashi Shinjuku Building, the ideal renters being targeted are creative types who want quirky office spaces, communal residences, or gallery and atelier spaces. Unfortunately, the interiors do not appear to feature any naval motifs.
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