Kyoto Granbell: A Fusion of Tradition and Innovation

A Contemporary Interpretation of Japanese Hospitality

The inspiration for Kyoto Granbell comes from the evolutionary process of Japanese traditional materials, crafts, and styles, combined with the functions and spaces required for hotels. UDS Ltd. and the range design INC., the design team behind this project, believe that by expressing this new interpretation of tradition through hotel space and functions, they can inspire and surprise guests from around the world.

What sets Kyoto Granbell apart is its ability to fuse the traditional spaces of Kyoto and materials into the functions of a modern hotel. The semi-underground lobby, for example, is a contemporary version of a Doma, an intermediate space. As guests enter, they are greeted by the sight of three-meter-deep sunken bamboo gardens on both sides, creating a floating-like sensation. The lobby floor, centered around the bar counter, seamlessly connects in a 360-degree layout, creating a lively and vibrant public space.

The underground public baths at Kyoto Granbell are emotionally designed to reproduce ordinary local life scenes, with different ambient lighting throughout the day. This attention to detail enhances the overall guest experience and adds a touch of authenticity to the hotel's design.

The technical specifications of Kyoto Granbell include a steel and partially SRC building structure. The hotel consists of four stories above ground and one story underground. The basement floor houses the public baths, while the first floor is home to the lounge, dining restaurant, and bar. The guest rooms, totaling 105 keys, are located on the basement floor to the fourth floor.

One of the design team's biggest challenges was extracting Japanese traditions, crafts, and styles and incorporating them into a contemporary hotel space. The result is a hotel that offers a new experience for the next generation. From the bar counter adorned with 100-year-old Ranmas and a gold-foiled bar back to the front back counter featuring randomly stacked 150-year-old drawers, every detail has been carefully considered. The kimono fabrics, designed by a contemporary kimono designer from Kyoto, add a touch of elegance, while the artificial sunlight system developed by Italian physicist Paolo di Trapani creates a unique ambiance.

Kyoto Granbell Hotel is a testament to the fusion of tradition and innovation. By mixing traditional Japanese techniques with cutting-edge ideas and the latest technology from around the world, the hotel creates a chemical reaction that exceeds expectations. The interior design of the hotel sparks various chain reactions in both the space and the functions, establishing a new and creative "hospitality space."

Images: Nacasa and Partners Inc.

Awards: Kyoto Granbell Hotel was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design category in 2018. This prestigious award recognizes designs that exhibit strong technical and creative skills, contributing to quality of life improvements and making the world a better place.