Oott Primær funktion: Hoteller by Toru Teraoka

Oott Primær funktion: Hoteller by Toru Teraoka is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award i Sølv in Gæstfrihed, Rekreation, Rejser og Turisme Design Competition Category.

SølvGæstfrihed· 2026

Oott Primær funktion: Hoteller

by Toru Teraoka

Client: OOTT | Toru Teraoka

A' Design Award i Sølv Winner in Gæstfrihed Category

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The Design

About Oott Primær funktion: Hoteller

Bogtekst: Beliggende i skovene ved Karuizawa er denne hal tænkt som et sted, hvor arkitektur, natur og fællesskab mødes. Udviklet gennem næsten et årti i samarbejde mellem bygherre, entreprenør og arkitekt udgør den en del af et landskab i udvikling med hundevenlige faciliteter. Bygningen fungerer som en fælles lounge og et indendørs træningsrum. Når de store åbninger åbnes, flugter interiøret med skoven og lader landskabet strømme igennem. Et lagdelt tag skaber blødt dagslys og en rolig atmosfære. Den enkle trækonstruktion viser, hvordan beskedne midler kan integreres med naturen.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award i Sølv

Oott Primær funktion: Hoteller er vinder af A' Design Award i Sølv, en usædvanligt prestigefyldt anerkendelse, der tildeles designs i topklasse, som er pragtfulde og imponerende. Sølvvinderne er enormt geniale og overordentlig kreative værker, der illustrerer deres designeres fremragende ekspertise, talent og skarpsindighed. Oott Primær funktion: Hoteller forventes at være et vidunderligt udstillingsværk, der er bemærkelsesværdigt professionelt og dybt innovativt. Dette design, der har vundet A' Design Award i Sølv, er en højst bemærkelsesværdig, beundret opfindelse, som gavner og flytter grænserne for kunst, videnskab, design og teknologi. Oott Primær funktion: Hoteller er en skabelse, som mange misunder, og som vækker begær, bringer positive følelser og antænder forundring og undren.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: A hall nestled in the forest of Karuizawa, a renowned summer retreat. For ten years, the client, builder, and architect have continued developing the facility together, overcoming the pandemic and social change to create a contemporary Japanese architecture with enduring universality. Tents for guests with dogs, a dog school, and a grassy run are dispersed across the site, expanded step by step. Conceived for hospitality and sustainable community, the hall extends seamlessly into nature.
Dimensions & Packaging: Floor Area:129m²
Tags: Japan, Karuizawa, Japanese design, timber architecture, wooden structure, hotel, architecture, nature
Production Technology: All square timbers are unified to the standard Japanese size of 120×120 mm, while selected beams use 60×120 mm members hand-split by local carpenters, balancing structural logic with spatial richness. Though based on structural analysis, the joinery conceals its complexity. Developed amid rising material costs during the pandemic, the design balances quality and budget, minimizes concrete, and uses local carpentry with minimal metal fittings to reduce environmental impact.
Design Challenge: For a decade, the same client, builder, and architect worked together, building trust and creating a structure that embodies coexistence with nature. Amid rising material and labor costs during the pandemic, balancing design and budget was crucial. The plan secures needed area and generous volume while controlling cost. Timber was hand-crafted and assembled manually, concrete minimized, and local carpentry with few metal fittings reduced environmental impact.
Research: The design shows deep respect for material essence. Timber and minimal concrete are left exposed, creating refined architectural honesty. Visitors enter a bright space clad in hinoki cypress, continuous with grass and trees, honoring Japanese beauty. External insulation ensures comfort in harsh winters, while the exposed wooden frame expresses both structure and performance. Rooted in its locale, it embodies a Japanese aesthetic connected to the world.
Inspiration: The project shows deep respect for the delicate workings of nature, fostering empathy in its visitors. By placing nature at the center, it seeks harmony between people and environment. Built in timber, the space connects seamlessly with the surrounding landscape and remains committed to sustainability. Developed amid rising material costs during the pandemic, it balances design quality and budget through the use of standard materials and conventional methods, embodying coexistence with nature.
Project Duration: Completed in 2023, the project has received numerous awards both in Japan and internationally.
Operation Flow: The building serves as a lounge for guests and a dog training space on rainy days. When both sides are opened, the forest extends through the hall, and soft light enters from high windows between the three roofs, creating a transparent space rooted in Japanese sensibility. It connects visitors with local nature. Located among private villas, it also functions as a café and open community hub, fostering ties between travelers and residents.
Patents: OOTT, Toru Teraoka, 2023
Team Members: TORU TERAOKA
Image Credits: All photo : Photographer / Tatsuya Tabii