Kyotology Hotẹẹli by Naoto Doi and Koji Yamanaka

Kyotology Hotẹẹli by Naoto Doi and Koji Yamanaka is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award in Àpẹẹrẹ Ìgbàlejò, Ìsinmi, Ìrìnàjò àti Àṣàrìnrìn Competition Category.

IrinÌgbàlejò· 2021

Kyotology Hotẹẹli

by Naoto Doi and Koji Yamanaka

Client: Cosmos More

Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award Winner in Ìgbàlejò Category

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The Design

About Kyotology Hotẹẹli

Ìwé "In Praise of Shadows" tí Junichiro Tanizaki kọ pẹ̀lú ìwádìí nípa ìhùwàsí àwọn arìnrìnàjò ní Kyoto ni ó jẹ́ ìpilẹ̀ṣẹ̀ iṣẹ́-àkànṣe yìí. Tanizaki sọ pé àwọn ará Japan bu ọlá fún òjìjì ju ìmọ́lẹ̀ lọ nínú gbogbo ìtàn wọn, èyí tó yọrí sí ilé-iṣẹ́ ìbílẹ̀ Japan bíi ìsopọ̀ àyíká òde àti inú ilé. Ìwádìí náà fi hàn pé àwọn arìnrìnàjò ní Kyoto ní ìfẹ́ tó pọ̀ sí àṣà àti ìtàn rẹ̀, nítorí náà ẹgbẹ́ iṣẹ́ náà ṣètò "Ìsinmi àti Ìwárìrí" gẹ́gẹ́ bíi èrò-ọgbọ́n wọn, wọ́n sì ṣẹ̀dá hotẹẹli kan níbi tí a ti ń gba àwọn àlejò níyànjú láti kọ́ ẹ̀kọ́, láti ní ìrírí àti láti sinmi.

The Recognition

About the Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award

Kyotology Hotẹẹli jẹ́ olùborí Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award, ìdánimọ̀ olókìkí tí a fún àwọn àwòṣe tó dára tí wọ́n pàdé àwọn ohun tí iṣẹ́ àti ilé-iṣẹ́ nílò tí a retí láti ọ̀dọ̀ àwọn ẹ̀dá tí a ṣàwòṣe dáradára. Àwọn olùborí Irin ń fi ìjáfáfá ńlá, ìmọ̀ pàtó gíga, òye ògbóǹtarìgì àti agbára ìṣẹ̀dá àwọn olùṣẹ̀dá wọn hàn. A retí pé Kyotology Hotẹẹli yóò jẹ́ ẹ̀dá tí a kà sí gidigidi, tí a gbóríyìn fún tí a sì nífẹ̀ẹ́, tó wúlò tó sì ní ìmúṣẹ̀dá tuntun. Àwòṣe tó borí Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award yìí ń kó àwọn ọ̀nà tó dára jùlọ ilé-iṣẹ́ jọ, ó sì ní àwọn ànímọ́ ìmọ̀-ẹ̀rọ tó péye tí a so mọ́ ìmọ̀ ṣíṣe àti ẹ̀bùn. A bọ̀wọ̀ fún Kyotology Hotẹẹli nítorí ìfọ̀kànbalẹ̀ rẹ̀, a sì ṣàwòṣe rẹ̀ láti pèsè ìmúdára ìgbésí ayé tó ń ran ayé lọ́wọ́ láti di ibi tó dára jù.

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