Ginzan Onsen Fujiya © Daichi Ano

Japan 2007Ginzan Onsen Fujiya

Yamagata
Hospitality
Completed
3F / 1BF

A wooden 4-story Onsen (Hot Spring) Hotel stands at the bottom of a valley in a region of snow. The existing façade was renovated utilizing wood from the original 100 year old hotel while the interior space was reorganized by inserting an atrium. This atrium is surrounded by a delicate screen made from 4mm wide slits of bamboo (Sumushiko).

An almost-transparent stained glass called Dalle de Verre first used in the middle ages is fit into the opening which faces the exterior space. These bamboo screens, neither transparent nor opaque, provide a soft light and shade the interior creating a space to heal and relax, complementing the effects of bathing in an Onsen.

Team Makoto Shirahama* Cooperation Nakata Structural Design Office Facility P.T.Morimura & Associates Award DFA Design for Asia Awards 2008 Grand Award, Award of Excellence 25th Annual IALD International Lighting Design Awards Publication Shinkenchiku 2008/07 , DETAIL 2007/04 No.172 , Casa BRUTUS 2007/03 vol.84 , Shinkenchiku 2006/10 , Shoten Kenchiku 2006/10 Vol.51 No.10 , Shinkenchiku 2006/09 , Shinkenchiku 2006/09 , GA JAPAN 82 , Nikkei Architecture 2005/11/14 No.809 Photography ©︎ Daici Ano