Angela Ferguson visits a modern hotel in traditional Kyoto.
January 30th, 2015
Kyoto has a reputation for being one of the more traditional cities of Japan; many tourists visit here to see shrines, temples and “old Japan”. So the Hotel Kanra is a somewhat of an anomaly in Kyoto – it is delightfully modern, and sits comfortably amongst the most beautiful boutique hotels in the world.
Completed in 2010 the Hotel Kanra was designed by architect Norito Nakahara. The overall design is based on the proportions of Kyoto’s machiya (wooden town houses). This is evident in the elongated shape of the rooms and the palette of materials used including volcanic stone flooring, tatami mats in sitting areas,traditional Japanese hiba (cypress) wood bathtubs, frosted glass bathroom walls and shoji screens.
Like many things in Japan the attention to detail is exquisite. And it is the small details that make this hotel extra special including custom made lamps of tiny white threads (referencing cushion stuffing) and skylights in the bathrooms that give the impression of being connected to the outdoors.
The entry lobby is essentially an installation piece and was created by Tokyo based New Yorker Alexander Reeder. Large triangular interactive panels on the walls and ceiling change colour depending on the season as well as the light, sound and temperature in the lobby and restaurant.
In many areas of the hotel the work of local artists is featured via ceramics, ikebana (flower arrangement), lighting design and hanging wall art.
Hotel Kanra was conceived to support the local community through its existence and to educate visitors about historical Kyoto in thoroughly modern manner. This has been done in a way that is respectful to the heritage of the area whilst at the same time presenting the Japanese conscience in a contemporary setting.
Hotel Kanra is an embodiment of Japanese aesthetic values; these values have developed over many centuries and are about creating a state of mind that is peaceful and harmonious. We truly felt this during our visit here – once we’d arrived we felt very much at home and it became extremely difficult to leave such a beautiful sanctuary.
Hotel Kanra
hotelkanra.jp
To follow Angela and Stephen’s journey through Japan go to instagram @futurespacedesign @indesignlive and look out for the hashtags #futurespacetravels #indesigntravels
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
The Sub-Zero Wolf showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne provide a creative experience unlike any other. Now showcasing all-new product ranges, the showrooms present a unique perspective on the future of kitchens, homes and lifestyles.
Sub-Zero and Wolf’s prestigious Kitchen Design Contest (KDC) has celebrated the very best in kitchen innovation and aesthetics for three decades now. Recognising premier kitchen design professionals from around the globe, the KDC facilitates innovation, style and functionality that pushes boundaries.
Marylou Cafaro’s first trendjournal sparked a powerful, decades-long movement in joinery designs and finishes which eventually saw Australian design develop its independence and characteristic style. Now, polytec offers all-new insights into the future of Australian design.
Channelling the enchanting ambience of the Caffè Greco in Rome, Budapest’s historic Gerbeaud, and Grossi Florentino in Melbourne, Ross Didier’s new collection evokes the designer’s affinity for café experience, while delivering refined seating for contemporary hospitality interiors.
India’s heritage of ancient cultures and vibrant architecture is something to be celebrated. Design Forum International seeks to preserve its history with a unique, visceral architectural language that speaks of ancient civilisations.
The Softscape modular lounge now at Stylecraft is the inaugural collection for new brand ‘LEN by Helen Kontouris’.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Swiss home appliance designer and manufacturer V-ZUG’s first Sydney studio is a unified expression of the brand’s boutique, sustainable and design-led identity.
In Malaysia Spacemen has created a world of perfumed wonder with their latest project, Trove, where treasures abound.
When iconic brands wield their influence, the ripples extend far beyond aesthetics. And so when the MillerKnoll collective formed, the very concept of design shifted, supercharging the industry’s aspiration to create a better world into an unwavering sense of responsibility to do so.