There’s no denying that fall is synonymous with warm colors. Reds, oranges, yellows, browns, and purples reflect the vibrant tones of fallen leaves that typically make up this season’s palette. At home, these classic shades bring a cozy and inviting atmosphere whether used in small or large accents. However, a surprising and less traditional hue […]
Itomachi Hotel 0: Translating Commercial Needs To The Environment
Architects are finding ever-new ways to innovate and build community-centric projects that help the people and the environment that resides alongside it. And Itomachi Hotel 0 crafts itself to meet the needs of the community. Built in the city of Saijo in Japan, and designed by Kengo Kuma & Associates, in cooperation from Takumi Saikawa Architects, the hotel’s design lines up with the principles of the Itomachi Project.
The University of Tokyo’s Kenga Kuma Laboratory spearheaded this project as a way of creating “environmentally-friendly cities based on the theme of water.” Architects held workshops and spoke with local residents to discuss their needs. They then used their research to create the “Zero Energy” hotel with a design best suited for the city.
Crafting Mountain Lodging
Itomachi Hotel 0 may be a commercial establishment. And yet, the architects built it as a community hub for the locals as well, taking advantage of the “uchinuki” water that comes from Mt. Ishizuchi. Uchinuki, which roughly translates as “extracted,” refers to the mountain spring water extracted from the hotel’s central garden. This garden also functions as the hotel’s “outdoor living room” and can be used for performances and other activities.
This inclusion of green space exemplifies how the architects fosters a sense of community. The massive garden contains trees and benches for people to enjoy the scenery. Its open design and connection with the surrounding nature create a feeling of inclusivity and encourage interaction with the environment.
It’s as if the hotel’s roofs deliberately give way for the trees to grow. The roofs are covered in solar panels to ensure that the area is environmentally-friendly, and the various angles allow the buildings to receive the optimal amount of sunlight every day. These panels are essential in creating the “Zero Energy” establishment.
Symbiotic Creation
While Itomachi Hotel 0 keeps the communal areas distinct from the lodging areas, there’s still an effort to seamlessly integrate with the surrounding environment. Open-air hallways between rooms and strategic openings in the roof to bathe the hotel in sunlight. The deliberate use of plants in these spaces blur the lines between the hotel and the nature around it. Timber planks hide the air-conditioning units while maintaining the hotel’s drive as an environmentally-conscious building.
Nature itself is utilized to give the lodgers a sense of privacy, yet every room looks out into green spaces are potted next to the rooms, or outside of the windows next to the walls. The result is a sense of seclusion achieved without sacrificing connection to the natural world.
Marrying the Commercial and the Communal
Itomachi Hotel 0 transcends its impressive architecture by fostering a unique connection with the surrounding community. It achieves this through a thoughtful balance of commerce and social responsibility.
The hotel leverages its natural environment for the benefit of all. This focus extends to the creation of a welcoming space. Unlike some urban hotels that feel isolated, Itomachi Hotel 0 fosters a sense of openness and inclusivity. It moves away from the typical seclusion of city hotels, inviting the community to connect and engage with the space.
Related reading: The Cliff Hotel Jeju: How to Accentuate the Environment Around Us
Nestled on the picturesque shores of Mactan Island, Cebu, Pueblo de Oro Townsquare stands as a testament to innovative architectural design. The project, designed by Barchan + Architecture, seamlessly blends local cultural elements with modern functionality. It exemplifies a harmonious convergence of community needs, sustainable practices, and aesthetic appeal. In an interview with Jason Buensalido, […]
Eyes Closed, the newest exhibit at Galerie Stephanie, finds the balance between realism and fantasy in the paintings featured. Italian artist Nunzio Paci revels in capturing the middle ground of life and death, creating something both haunting and calming in the process. Paci works with the idea of portraying life as dreamlike and intangible. It […]
Ayala Museum proudly hosted the Asian premiere of “Zóbel: The Future of the Past” on September 14, 2024. First showcased at Spain’s Museo Nacional del Prado in 2022, this comprehensive exhibition is a tribute to Fernando Zóbel. The renowned artist and art critic played a pivotal role in shaping both Philippine and global art history. […]
Homemade puts together four of the members of the Cabangis family in their first group exhibit. The Modeka Art show, open until September 28, gives the artists a great opportunity to display their art together as a way of exploring their present works in relation to each other. The patriarch Benjie Cabangis, and his three […]
Through materiality, a structure can express its values and personality. CEO and Founder of Nippon Hasha group of companies, Ryan Cruz, acknowledges that each of his brands have a distinct personality in which he wishes to express in the dining experience. Restaurants such as Kazunori, Mendokoro, Yushoken and Marudori each have a level of distinction […]
Download this month's BLUPRINT magazine digital copy from:
Subscribe via [email protected]