Bizen Sue Ostal by Kazutoshi Arimoto is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award de Fèrre in Arquitectura Competition Category.

FèrreArquitectura· 2025

Bizen Sue Ostal

by Kazutoshi Arimoto

Client: Arimoto Construction Co., Ltd.

A' Design Award de Fèrre Winner in Arquitectura Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #169209

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The Design

About Bizen Sue Ostal

Bizen Sue es un ostal situat a la vila de Bizen, dins lo departament d'Okayama. L'edifici de fusta de dos estatges es concebut per s'integrar dins lo païsatge environant. Los materials naturals balhan a l'interior un sentiment de calor e de calma. La sala de banh es realizada en ceramica de Bizen, un artisanat tradicional local amb una istòria de 1400 ans. Fòrça fenèstras seguisson lo pendís del terren e fan intrar la lutz del jorn e la ventilacion naturala, çò que redusís la necessitat d'un esclairatge artificial e d'una climatizacion. Una sala partejada permet als òstes de se rencontrar. La superfícia del site es de 718 mètres quadrats.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Fèrre

Bizen Sue Ostal a ganhat la distincion A' Design Award de Fèrre, una reconeissença prestigiosa acordada a de bons designs que respondon a las exigéncias professionalas e industrialas esperadas de creacions plan concebudas. Los ganhaires del Fèrre demòstran una granda abilitat, una nauta especializacion, una comprenedura d'expèrt e la capacitat creativa de lors creators. S'espèra que Bizen Sue Ostal siá una creacion fòrça considerada, admirada e estimada, practica e innovanta. Aqueste design ganhaire de la distincion A' Design Award de Fèrre integra las melhoras practicas del sector e a de caracteristicas tecnicas competentas ligadas a un saber-far e a un talent. Per son rigor, Bizen Sue Ostal merita lo respècte e es destinat a aportar de melhoraments a la qualitat de la vida que ajudan a far del mond un luòc melhor.

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