Bizen Sue Hotel by Kazutoshi Arimoto is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award de Ferro in Deseño de Arquitectura, Edificación e Estruturas Competition Category.

FerroArquitectura· 2025

Bizen Sue Hotel

by Kazutoshi Arimoto

Client: Arimoto Construction Co., Ltd.

A' Design Award de Ferro Winner in Arquitectura Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #169209

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Bizen Sue Hotel

Bizen Sue é un hotel situado na cidade de Bizen, na prefectura de Okayama. O edificio de madeira de dous andares está deseñado para integrarse coa paisaxe circundante. Os materiais naturais confiren ao interior unha sensación de calidez e calma. O baño está feito con cerámica Bizen, un artesanato tradicional local cunha historia de 1400 anos. Numerosas fiestras seguen a pendente do terreo e permiten a entrada de luz natural e ventilación, reducindo así a necesidade de iluminación artificial e aire acondicionado. Unha sala común permite aos hóspedes atoparse. A superficie do terreo é de 718 metros cadrados.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Ferro

Bizen Sue Hotel gañou o A' Design Award de Ferro, un recoñecemento prestixioso outorgado a bos deseños que cumpren os requisitos profesionais e industriais esperados de creacións ben deseñadas. Os gañadores Ferro demostran a gran habilidade, a alta especialización, a comprensión experta e a capacidade creativa dos seus creadores. Espérase que Bizen Sue Hotel sexa unha creación moi apreciada, admirada e querida que é práctica e innovadora. Este deseño gañador do A' Design Award de Ferro integra as mellores prácticas do sector e ten características técnicas competentes ligadas ao saber facer e ao talento. Bizen Sue Hotel é respectado pola súa minuciosidade e está deseñado para proporcionar melloras na calidade de vida que axudan a facer do mundo un lugar mellor.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: This building has been designed to blend in with the surrounding natural environment and to become one with the surrounding scenery. By making use of natural materials a space that gives a sense of warmth and calm has been created. The aim is to create a place where visitors can relax their minds and bodies while feeling close to nature.
Furthermore by creating a building that resonates with the local history and culture a special space has been created where visitors can experience the unique charm of the area.
Dimensions & Packaging: Site area 718 square meters
Total floor area 265 square meters
Tags: Architecture, Hotel, NaturalMaterials, Building, Bizenpottery
Production Technology: Wooden architecture second story building
Design Challenge: As the construction site has a difference in elevation we have made use of this characteristic and adopted a design that uses the difference in elevation to create a vaulted structure. This has brought a sense of openness to the space, while also reducing construction costs by minimizing unnecessary construction work. It is a rational design that achieves both functionality and economy while harmonizing with the natural terrain.
Research: While traditional craft Bizen pottery has excellent characteristics as a vase or plate there were many issues with using it as a material for baths. However through the skills and ingenuity of skilled craftsmen we have overcome these difficulties and created a special space that combines texture and functionality. This is a bath that fuses tradition and innovation.
Inspiration: When designing this hotel the first element I focused on was the bath made using the locally crafted pottery bizenyaki
with a 1400 year history bizen pottery is a traditional craft that exudes a rustic yet profound presence adding depth and character to the space by incorporating this material I aimed to create a unique environment where nature history and local culture come together in harmony.
Project Duration: To be completed in 2024 in Bizen City Okayama Prefecture
Operation Flow: We have prepared a room where guests can interact with each other.
In addition we have made effective use of the natural light and wind by placing many windows to take advantage of the difference in elevation and we have secured comfortable lighting and ventilation. We have realized an ecological space that makes the most of natural power without relying on artificial lighting or air conditioning and we have created a sustainable environment where you can spend time comfortably.
Image Credits: Photographer Senichiro Nogami