Beautiful living” in Tübingen: discover architectural dreams and their future!

Beautiful living” in Tübingen: discover architectural dreams and their future!

At the Kunsthalle Tübingen everything revolves around the fascinating exhibition “Schöner Wohnen”. This event offers a look at architectural drawings that are not only artistic works, but also reflect social developments. Visitors can expect designs, models, spatial concepts and sculptures that address the change in ways of life, materials and technologies in architecture. The range extends from expressionist fantasies to digital anti-utopias, and answers the central question: How do we want to live tomorrow?

The centerpiece of the exhibition is the residential module of the Nakagin Capsule Tower, an iconic example of architecture by renowned architect Kishō Kurokawa. This unique structure, erected in Tokyo in 1972, was the first permanent representative of so-called capsule architecture and reflects the philosophy of Metabolism, a Japanese movement. Unfortunately, the structure was demolished in 2022, but the Kunsthalle Tübingen has secured an original capsule as a permanent loan, which is now on display. These capsules were originally designed for modern urban lifestyles and were manufactured with mass appeal in mind.

Capsule architecture and metabolism

The Metabolist movement, launched in 1959, sought to apply the organic life cycle to architecture and urban planning. The Nakagin Capsule Tower is a prime example of this idea, with 140 pre-cut capsules efficiently housed in two interconnected towers. This structural innovation meant that each capsule could be assembled using tension screws, making installation and possible later adjustments easier.

The Nakagin Capsule Tower was not only an architectural masterpiece, but was particularly aimed at young professionals in Tokyo – so-called “salarymen”. Despite the impressive design, use of the capsules has not always been consistent, and as of October 2012 only around 30 capsules were inhabited, while others were used as office space or for storage purposes.

A look into the future

The exhibition “Schöner Wohnen” not only asks about the role of architecture in urban societies, but also offers an extensive supporting program with more than 150 events that illuminate a variety of perspectives. A particularly innovative project is the AI-supported project “Playground” by student Amelie Weyers. The connection between art, criticism and digital change comes to life here.

The Kunsthalle is proud to present works by well-known architects such as Aino Aalto, Coop Himmelb(l)au, Archigram, and Gropius. Under the curation of Prof. Dr. Nicole Fritz in cooperation with the German Architecture Museum Frankfurt, the exhibition becomes a platform that discusses and artistically implements the challenges and possibilities of tomorrow's architecture.

The question remains: How will architecture react to our way of life in the future? Do changing urban spaces indicate the need for flexible and adaptable structures? When you visit the Kunsthalle Tübingen, it becomes clear that there is something going on - the interaction between creative thinking and urban life is more relevant than ever.