Kyotology Hotel by Naoto Doi and Koji Yamanaka

Kyotology Hotel by Naoto Doi and Koji Yamanaka is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 A' Design Award yn Izer in Gastfrijheid, Rekreaasje, Reizgjen en Toerisme Ûntwerp Competition Category.

IzerGastfrijheid· 2021

Kyotology Hotel

by Naoto Doi and Koji Yamanaka

Client: Cosmos More

A' Design Award yn Izer Winner in Gastfrijheid Category

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The Design

About Kyotology Hotel

It boek "In Praise of Shadows" fan Junichiro Tanizaki en ûndersyk nei it gedrach fan reizgers yn Kyoto foarmen de basis fan dit projekt. Tanizaki stelde dat de Japanners troch de skiednis hinne skaden boppe it ljocht priizgen, wat late ta Japanske tradisjonele arsjitektuer lykas it ferweafjen fan eksterjeur en interjeur. It ûndersyk toande dat reizgers yn Kyoto heech ynteressearre binne yn de kultuer en skiednis, dêrom bepaalde it team "Unwind and Explore" as konsept en ûntwurp in hotel dêr't gasten oanmoedige wurde om te learen, te ûnderfinen en te ûntspannen.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award yn Izer

Kyotology Hotel is in winner fan de A' Design Award yn Izer, in prestisjeuze erkenning foar goede ûntwerpen dy't foldogge oan de profesjonele en yndustriële easken dy't ferwachte wurde fan goed ûntwurpen skeppings. Izerwinners litte grutte feardigens, hege spesjalisaasje, deskundich begryp en kreatyf fermogen fan har makkers sjen. Fan Kyotology Hotel wurdt ferwachte dat it in tige heech achte, bewûndere en dierbere skepping is dy't praktysk en ynnovatyf is. Dit winnende ûntwerp fan de A' Design Award yn Izer yntegrearret de bêste praktiken fan de sektor en hat feardige technyske skaaimerken ferbûn mei kennis en talint. Kyotology Hotel wurdt respektearre foar syn yngeandens en is ûntwurpen om ferbetteringen fan de kwaliteit fan it libben te leverjen dy't helpe de wrâld ta in bettere plak te meitsjen.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: As the number of hotel rooms had increased 400% since 2012, majorities are focused more on its capacity which did not have the local culture nor history. Therefore we felt an urge to create a place where tourists can experience traditional accommodation of Kyoto. The hotel initiates the local economic system by attracting curious users. Intertwining exterior and interior especially placing the inner garden in every room makes this brand established.
Dimensions & Packaging: Width 24053mm x Depth 10090mm
Site area: 295.04sqm
Total floor space: 485.11sqm
Tags: Kyoto, garden, Shadow, architecture, heritage, local economy
Production Technology: Vertical lines that are created by standing seam roofs emphasize changing shadows during the day. High edge roof end is a symbol of Sukiyazukuri style which is a common style for a building exclusively used for a Japanese tea ceremony. We surveyed neighbors’ window levels to avoid direct eye contact between users and neighbors. By adjusting window placements from neighbors, users could feel secure and private while staying in the guest rooms.
Design Challenge: It is common for a government to set landscape regulations to maintain the historical view of the city, and Kyoto city also sets various and precise rules mainly for color of facade, height of the building and usage of the balcony/rooftop. Since Kyoto city added more rules to the regulations while we were planning, we were forced to be flexible and let go of some of the design details. Architectural regulation made it really difficult to place the inner garden; we had to think carefully about balancing between architectural structure, livable environment for plants in the garden, and comfort of the guests.
Research: First of all, our R&D team researched about the history of the site and Kyoto. The area around the site was located close to Zen temple, and it has been left out from urban development of the city. Volume of travellers in Kyoto, popular tourist attractions, travelling patterns and many more elements were researched. Secondly, we visited the site and the former owner. The owner used to live at the site with his family for generations in a classical Japanese style house with a well-maintained garden. As soon as we saw the original site, we knew that we had to keep the original vibes. Thirdly, the team visited local shops and restaurants to look for potential partnerships. Since the hotel is not equipped with a kitchen, it was necessary to provide food for hotel guests from nearby restaurants.
Inspiration: In the book "In Praise of Shadows" Tanizaki stated the conceptual base of Japanese architectural beauty lies in shadows. Japanese cherish shadows over the history of its cultural development, and we translate its concept into modern architecture. By intertwining exterior and interior, and garden and concrete, shadows began to shine. Another inspiration was the local people who were eager to reactivate the local economy by collaborating with the local designers, constructors, and shop owners.
Project Duration: The project started in January 2018 in Kyoto and Tokyo Japan.
Operation Flow: As soon as the guest arrive, they go through Noren at the gate to enter the site before entering the building which used to mean that they are entring a commercial space. The guests walk through lobby/lounge area, then they proceed to the front desk to check in. After check in, they proceed to the corridor lightened up with dim traditional lantern shaped room signs.
Team Members: Naoto Doi - Cosmos More
Koji Yamanaka - GENETO Architects Office
Mitsuteru Nakada - GENETO Architects Office
Asako Yamashita - GENETO Architects Office
Image Credits: Cosmos More