narrow copper box leads guests inside tranquil kyoto hotel by suppose design office

narrow copper box leads guests inside tranquil kyoto hotel by suppose design office

strong first impression

 

a green courtyard awaits at the end of this long and narrow copper box by the entrance of ‘hotel tou nishinotoin kyoto’. inserted by suppose design office to create a strong first impression of its latest hospitality project in kyoto, the box immerses guests in a transitional experience, taking them away from the bustle of the city and into the light-filled, tranquil interior. the courtyard that runs through the center of the building is created as a ‘place of light’, while soft shadows on the lobby’s continuous walls give a sense of the depth of the space. dark hues further emphasize he contrast between light and darkness in the common areas, while large pieces of stone bring fragments of the garden landscape thought the hotel.narrow copper box leads guests inside tranquil kyoto hotel by suppose design officeall images by kenta hasegawa

 

 

A CALM AND TRANQUIL HOTEL IN KYOTO

 

‘hotel tou nishinotoin kyoto’ is located in a quiet area with many buddhist altar stores, a little outside the city center, which is crowded with tourists. aiming for a calm space where guests can feel the depth of kyoto’s history and culture, suppose design office centered the hotel’s design around the concept of ‘depth’, both in terms of spatial composition and in the general atmosphere. ‘what was important in this project was to design certain senses, such as human vision, anticipation, and imagination,’ explains the japanese architecture studio.

 

the hotel is infused with elements of traditional japanese culture, like the dry landscape garden or the tea ceremony, combined with minimalist forms and a dark palette. the light coming in through the opening at the central courtyard is diffused by the wooden slats on the windows of the restaurant and the lobby, further enhancing the sense of the depth. narrow copper box leads guests inside tranquil kyoto hotel by suppose design office

 

 

the guest rooms are planned to emphasize both horizontal and vertical dimensions at a low level. this is achieved by  narrowing down the spatial elements, creating small rises in tatami mats and beds, and using the japanese lifestyle of taking off shoes and relaxing on the floor. since the hotel is located in a residential area, instead of enjoying the view from the window, guests are immersed in soft lighting installed between the shoji (the window of translucent sheets) and the sash. in this way, the opening itself is transformed into a lantern, casting shadows of the lattice and the shoji.

narrow copper box leads guests inside tranquil kyoto hotel by suppose design office
a green courtyard awaits at the end of the long and narrow copper box

narrow copper box leads guests inside tranquil kyoto hotel by suppose design office
the copper-clad entrance creates a strong first impression

suppose-design-office-hotel-tou-nishinotoin-kyoto-designboom-large

large pieces of stone bring fragments of the garden inside

narrow copper box leads guests inside tranquil kyoto hotel by suppose design office
wooden slats on the lobby’s windows cast intricate shadows

suppose-design-office-hotel-tou-nishinotoin-kyoto-designboom-large2

created as a ‘place of light’, the courtyard runs through the center of the building

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bookshelves in the hotel lobby
bookshelves in the hotel lobby
copper is used in the hotel's restaurant
copper is used in the hotel's restaurant
soft play of light and shadow
soft play of light and shadow
detail of an individual piece of stone
detail of an individual piece of stone
windows bring in views of the courtyard garden
windows bring in views of the courtyard garden
dark-hued hallway
dark-hued hallway
strong lines emphasize vertical and horizontal dimensions in the guest rooms
strong lines emphasize vertical and horizontal dimensions in the guest rooms
tatami mat in one of the guest rooms
tatami mat in one of the guest rooms
small rises in height create additional surfaces
small rises in height create additional surfaces
private terrace in a guest room
private terrace in a guest room
wall detail
wall detail

project info:

 

name: hotel tou nishinotoin kyoto

architect: suppose design office + toyo architects and engineers office

brand visual design: artless
garden design: landscape niwatan
furniture: mirai sousaku-jo

location: kyoto, kyoto prefecture, japan

site area: 1284.60 sqm

building area: 931.84 sqm

total floor area: 3879.20 sqm

completion: 2021

photography: kenta hasegawa

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