Yohei Akao · CLIENT: Strickland
Thermal Spring is a hot spring bathing facility on the first basement level of a hotel in Kyoto, Japan. The interior covers 469 square meters, including the entrance and the corridor, and uses natural hot water that rises from the site. The design is inspired by the geology of Kyoto, by the spiritual traditions of the city and by the memory of the land. Garden stones found on the site were reshaped and reused for stone sculpture and flooring. A clay wall in deep indigo recalls the local dyeing culture, while a granite wall with a natural surface suggests underground water veins.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This Thermal Spring is located in B1 at Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto in Japan. Being located in Kyoto, which has a deep history and culture in Japan, and being located in front of Nijo castle, which is valuable historical heritage that has looked at Japan's long history elevate the value even more. Utilizing the natural hot springs that spring up from this site and the design derived by scenic beauty of Kyoto also produce the luxury space in the basement floor.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Total area of Thermal Spring including the entrance and corridor is 469 square meters.
The basement 1 has also other facilities, Spa treatment and fitness area. - Tags
- hotel, wellness, luxury, hospitality, Spa, relaxing,
- Production Technology
- ・ Modify the scenic stones on this land and reuse them for stone sculpture and floor stone.
・ A clay wall that expresses water using the indigo dyeing culture of Kyoto
・ Granite wall with natural skin inspired by groundwater veins - Design Challenge
- Realizing a space that combines a sacred atmosphere and geology was the most challenging content.
The story of how to reach the final destination, the thermal spring, is not artificial, and maintaining the most natural state for the guest,
and the material is like designing the air, not the shape.
The design was completed by paying close attention to the selection of the material and the level of light. - Project Duration
- The project has started in 2017 and finished in November 2020, located in Kyoto, Japan.
- Operation Flow
- Arriving at basement, you will encounter a stone object that has been here for a long time. The sound of dripping water and the very underground water vein surrounded by the bedrock are followed by a deep indigo plastered clay wall. Beyond that, there is a corridor where you can feel the continuity of Shiraki, and when you proceed, you will arrive at the reception. And when passing through the changing room, a thermal spring just like a water garden spreads out in front of you.
- Research
- In design, researching on the "location" and "history" of its land is very important. What happened in this place, what was happening in this place?
The town of Kyoto, in front of Nijo Castle, a World Heritage Site, the residence that was the root of the client. Gradually narrowing the scope of research, we carefully narrowed down the appropriate way of land. Ultimately, it should be the only space with a story that can only be expressed in this land. - Inspiration
- The facility is inspired by three cores. The first is "geology of Kyoto". The underground of Kyoto is a water basin that stores abundant water, and we have got the inspiration by the groundwater veins covered with rocks 1000 meters underground. The second is "spirituality of Kyoto". There are many sacred temples and shrines in Kyoto. We have been inspired by the spiritual experience of water, light and sound that can be obtained there. The final "memory of this land" is the value of revisiting the original scenery stones (garden stones) of this land and placing them in this facility again.
- Image Credits
- Photographer Yoshio Shiratori
- Patents
- copyright @ STRICKLAND
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