In a unique fusion of play and architectural homage, industrial designer Oscar Diaz has created a wooden block set inspired by Tokyo’s iconic Nakagin Capsule Tower. Designed by renowned Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa, the Capsule Tower was a landmark in modular architecture, embodying Kurokawa’s vision of adaptability and renewal. Though the building was disassembled in 2022, Diaz brings its spirit back to life with this playful and artistic reinterpretation.
Designer: OSCAR DIAZ
The set comprises 20 stackable wooden blocks and a hexagonal wooden base, encouraging endless combinations that mirror the modular nature of the original structure. Crafted from smooth beech wood and colored with water-based pigments, each block invites users to reimagine the avant-garde design of Kurokawa’s tower. As players stack the blocks, they engage in a delicate balancing act—a direct reflection of the tower’s structural equilibrium.
One of the set’s standout features is the inclusion of two red blocks, symbolizing key elements of the original building’s design. These red blocks must be placed last, adding an extra layer of challenge as they test the stability of the entire structure. The goal is not simply to build, but to maintain balance, simulating the precision and care that went into constructing the actual tower.
Each wooden block represents one of the tower’s capsules, complete with a round window that makes them instantly recognizable. Diaz’s design captures the spirit of Kurokawa’s philosophy, that there is no right or wrong way to stack the blocks, echoing the Japanese concept of renewal and impermanence that informed the Capsule Tower’s original design. The blocks can be configured in countless ways, and the resulting creation serves as a tactile, visual memento of this pioneering work of architecture.
The Nakagin Capsule Tower block set also offers hands-on learning for architects and interior designers to understand the principles of modular architecture. It provides an engaging, physical way to explore design concepts while offering a fun activity for others. Beyond its educational and playful value, the set is also a great piece of art to keep in your home. Its minimal, natural aesthetics seamlessly complement most, if not all, interior themes, allowing you to display your own version of the iconic tower.
Accompanied by a cotton bag for easy storage, the set is both a practical and playful tribute to the Nakagin Capsule Tower. For architecture enthusiasts and casual players alike, Oscar Diaz’s creation offers a hands-on way to explore the principles of modular design and keep alive the legacy of one of Tokyo’s most innovative buildings.
