Final answer:
Metabolism in the context of architecture refers to a movement focused on adaptable, growable structures, informed by technological processes rather than historical or decorative traditions. Modern architecture utilized materials from the Industrial Revolution, favoring functionalism and structural honesty over ornamentation. The Nakagin Capsule Tower is an example of Metabolist architecture, characterized by its modular, adaptable design.
Step-by-step explanation:
Metabolism is defined as the pattern of flow of energy and materials into, through, and out of a human population that results from technological processes. This term can be related to architecture, particularly in the concept of Metabolist or megastructural tendencies, which focused on creating buildings that were adaptable, growing and interconnecting like living organisms. Unlike the historical revival or preservation emphasized in earlier architectural movements, such as Renaissance or Victorian, Metabolist architecture focused on future needs and flexibility.
One of the key characteristics of modern architecture is the simplification of form and the elimination of ornament, bringing focus to functional details and structural elements. This approach was a rejection of the previous emphasis on revivalist architecture and the decorative complexities of the Art Nouveau era. The materials introduced during the Industrial Revolution, such as steel and plate glass, facilitated this new architectural language with clean lines and unadorned surfaces.
Specific projects that exhibited Metabolist tendencies include the Nakagin Capsule Tower in Tokyo, designed by Kisho Kurokawa, which consists of prefabricated modules or 'capsules' that can be added or removed as needed. This building was designed with the idea that it could adapt over time to the changing needs of its occupants, a core principle of Metabolism in architecture.