Strata Naha Hotela by Uds Ltd. is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 Urrezko Saria A' Design Award in Barruko Espazioa eta Erakusketa Diseinua Competition Category.

UrreBarrualdea· 2021

Strata Naha Hotela

by Uds Ltd.

Client: Hotel Strata Naha

Urrezko Saria A' Design Award Winner in Barrualdea Category

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Colors

The Design

About Strata Naha Hotela

Proiektuak 'hiriko resort' hotela Naha-hiriaren bihotzean, Okinawa. "Strata" lurraren natura eta kultura aberatsean inspiratu zen, hau da, lurreko geruzak; aurrez dauden kultur harribitxien geruzak ezagutzea eta etengabeko kultur edukiei balio-geruza berriak gehitzea du helburu. Proiektuak bertako komunitatearekin lotzen duen hotel bat sortzea ere zuen helburu; jatorrizko ehunak barruko diseinu moderno batean sartzen dira bertako artisau tradizionalekin elkarlanean.

The Recognition

About the Urrezko Saria A' Design Award

Strata Naha Hotela Urrezko Saria A' Design Award irabazlea da, lehen mailako, zoragarriak eta nabarmenak diren diseinuei ematen zaien aitorpen izugarri prestijiotsua. Urre-mailako irabazleak berrikuntzaz beteriko, ikuspegi handiko eta distiraz liluragarriak diren sorkuntzak dira, beren diseinatzaileen genioa, jakituria eta trebetasuna islatzen dutenak. Strata Naha Hotela oso goraipatua, joera-markatzailea eta monumentala den asmakizuna izatea espero da, balio aurrekaririk gabea eskaintzen duena. Urrezko Saria A' Design Award irabazi duen diseinu hau proiektu ikusgarri eta errespetatua da, artearen, zientziaren, diseinuaren eta teknologiaren mugak oso onuragarriro zabaltzen dituena. Strata Naha Hotela desira-sentimendu biziak sortzen dituen, grina pizten duen, sormena bultzatzen duen eta liluratzen gaituen lana da.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: The project plans to create a unique 'city resort' hotel in the heart of Naha-city, Okinawa. The name "STRATA" was inspired by the land's rich nature and culture, which means layers of earth; it aims to discover layers of preexisting cultural gems and adding new layers of value to the ongoing cultural contents. The project also aimed to create a hotel that connects with the local community; original textiles are incorporated in a modern interior design by collaborating with local traditional artisans. The hotel has become a valuable accommodation choice for the guests where one can escape the city and relax at a convenient location and reasonable pricing.
Dimensions & Packaging: Fifteen stories Reinforced Concrete structure, the floor area is about 8,040 square meters. The height of the building is about 50 meters; it contains 221 guest rooms.
Tags: Strata, Hotel, Resort, Asia, Japan, Okinawa, Naha, Crafts, Design Hotel, City Resort
Production Technology: The project's design achieved a modern expression while using conventional materials from the region, such as Ryukyu limestone, traditional red roof tiles, and locally sourced mud. The interior and the exterior spaces are integrated continuously; some external materials were introduced for the interior finishes. Based on the local geological data, plastered walls with different colors were adopted for each floor visible from the outside. The wooden ceiling of the restaurant is referencing the pattern of the traditional woven textile as well.
Design Challenge: The project obtained special permission from the government and proceeded on large-scale development by being acknowledged for its contributions to the region. All of the craftworks that take part in the interior design were created in close collaboration with local artisans. The designer and the local craftsman spent much time discussing production techniques, designs, sizes, and colors to achieve its quality. Besides, cost control across architecture, interior design, and furniture design was implemented to secure the plenty of craftwork budget.
Research: The design concept and brand story were developed by tracing the land and culture's history around the planned site back to about 500 years ago. The architecture, interior, furniture, art, and decorations were comprehensively designed to follow the story. The interior designers researched traditional crafts history in the region and collaborated with multiple local artisans to challenge new expressions. The building's louvers are designed from traditional textile patterns in the region and change their appearance depending on the light shades.
Inspiration: Approximately 500 years ago, the project site was submerged in the ocean, and there is an ancient forest next to the property, which was once an island. Additionally, a causeway connecting islands to the capital of Shuri, an important trade route for the Ryukyu kingdom, was passed by. The concept of "STRATA" was created based on the research of the land's historical and geological importance, leading the project to deeply connect to the traditions and cultures cultivated through Okinawa's rich nature and history.
Project Duration: The project started in April 2016 in Naha city, Okinawa, Japan. Naha is the largest city in Okinawa, a prefecture comprising more than 150 islands in the East China Sea between Taiwan and Japan's mainland. Okinawa is known for its tropical climate, broad beaches, coral reefs, and World War II heritage. The hotel is located in Naha, the closest monorail station, Miebashi, which is 30 seconds walk away from the site, and 7 stops from Naha International Airport. The hotel was completed and started its operation in April 2020.
Operation Flow: The hotel purposed to be open its doors to the local community; the restaurant entrance on the first floor is placed directly on the main street—the project intended to revitalize the area by creating lively neighborhood sceneries. Incorporating various craftworks throughout the hotel generates opportunities for the local artisans and supports local businesses. Furthermore, by engaging in its design to its operation, a company like UDS consistently keeps the storytelling alive and consecutive.
Patents: Copyrights belong to UDS Ltd.,2020
Team Members: Designer: Koichi Tomiyama, Chihiro Yukawa, Rio Tomoguchi, Ayako Sasaki, Wakako Yoshino, Akihiro Sekiya
Design supervision: Norito Nakahara
Landscape Designre: Satoshi Koizumi, Haruhi Fujita
Producer and Creative Director: Yusaku Takahashi, Kumiko Fujisawa
Art Direction: Chiharu Taniguchi
Restaurant Design Partner: Dugout,LLC
Architecture Design Partner: Design Studio RyukyuGakudan Ltd.
Lighting Designer: ICE,Ltd.
Graphic Designer: Naomi Hirabayashi
Interior Styling Partner: RENEMIA
Artwork and textile: Seichiro Inamine, Takuya Toshinkawa, Yoshiaki Imamura, Osamu Kajiku, Go Kadena, Yukari Kadena, Toma Chinen,Masato Toyama, Aya Nakasone, Masumi Akamine, Yuriko Nishiishigaki, Akane Fujita, Noritaka Yamamoto
Hotel management: Okinawa UDS Ltd.
Image Credits: image #1 and Optional Image #1,3,4: Nakasa and Partners Inc.
Optional Image #2: Yuna Yagi