NOT A HOTEL’s exclusive new branch in tokyo rises like a towering monolith

the interiors were completed by masamichi katayama from wonderwall as simple and neutral spaces gently balancing the hotel's concrete shell.

lea zeitoun March 25, 2023 3 min

a not a hotel exclusive branch, ‘hiroo’, lands in tokyo

A towering monolith reaching for the sky in Tokyo, ‘Hiroo’ is an exclusive addition to NOT A HOTEL’s hospitality branch. With the interiors designed by Masamichi Katayama from Wonderwall, the building spans five floors above ground and one below and is dedicated primarily to NOT A HOTEL owners. The completed floors include a basement restaurant, a library on the first floor, and a living/dining lounge on the third floor.

Reflecting on the aesthetics engulfing the monolithic hotel, Wonderwall writes: ‘The design aims to create a neutral space with a sense of quality and warmth similar to that of a private residence. The core concept is based on a ‘fusion of East and West,’ reinterpreting the uniquely Japanese sense of space and blending it with a Western sensibility that Katayama himself has been influenced by.

NOT A HOTEL's exclusive new branch in tokyo rises like a towering monolith - 1 — all images © Kozo Takayama

simple spaces that gracefully embrace their surroundings

The NOT A HOTEL Exclusive ‘Hiroo’ immediately grabs passersby’s attention with its massive concrete silhouette cast using cedar plank formwork. With only two openings punctuating its façades, the building slowly takes on a more relaxing and intimate quality indoors, where guests can enjoy relaxing views of the greenery from the neighboring shrine, creating a serene ‘library’ where one can unwind.

Following the rather pragmatic architecture of ‘Hiroo’, the Wonderwall team completed the lounge on the third floor as devoid of objects and materials that symbolize conventional luxury, incorporating instead details that showcase intricate craftsmanship and exude a sense of quiet sensuality: these include the handmade woven rattan walls and darkly stained wood floors.

‘By skillfully taking advantage of the surrounding environment and gracefully balancing various spaces with different roles and functionalities, the project has become a place that welcomes and embraces a diverse range of people,‘ concludes the design studio.