New Zealand photographer Cody Ellingham captures Japan's declining public housing blocks in new Danchi exhibition

2018-05-21T14:47:00-04:00

Danchi—which translates literally to "group land" but has come to refer to Japan's public housing blocks—emerged in the 1960s as the country was faced with rapid modernization and urbanization. A period of high-growth, the government built these apartment complexes in many suburban areas to offset the housing demand of a rapidly growing population.

Modeled after the apartment blocks built by the Soviet government, danchi were made from western materials and western designs; in their time, they were considered the height of modernity. Today, fewer and fewer Japanese live in the gradually aging housing, preferring other models such as single-family homes or condos. Though many of the buildings sit dilapidated and depopulated, they remain tranquil architectural giants of the cityscape.

Hirao Danchi. Photo Credit: Cody Ellingham.

Exploring over 40 of these large sites, New Zealand photographer Cody Ellingham has captured the Tokyo apartments for his new series, Danchi Dreams. While ori...

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New Zealand photographer Cody Ellingham captures Japan's declining public housing blocks in new Danchi exhibition