Hotel Locus: A Resort That Embraces the Whole Island

UDS Ltd. Redefines Resort Experience with Award-Winning Design

The inspiration for Hotel Locus was rooted in the origins of the resort concept - a place to visit many times, offering unique attractions and cultural experiences. UDS Ltd. aimed to redefine this concept by creating a resort that recognizes the whole island as the resort, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the local culture and nature.

Hotel Locus stands out for its emphasis on regionality, utilizing local materials and traditional art pieces by local artists. The design of the hotel is a blend of modern and traditional, with various room types catering to different travelers, from single travelers to families. The hotel's design is not focused on multifunctionality, but rather on providing a unique, immersive experience that encapsulates the entire island.

The technical specifications of the hotel include a steel structure with six stories above ground. The ground floor houses a swimming pool and activity lounge, the second floor features the reception desk and restaurant, and the rooftop is an open terrace. The hotel offers a total of 100 guest rooms.

One of the challenges faced during the design process was to bring the natural environment into the interior without overdesigning. The solution was to create a seamless blend of the interior and exterior, allowing visitors to feel as if they were inside and outside at the same time. This was achieved by incorporating local craftsmanship and materials into the hotel's design, from flower blocks for the exterior façade to Ryukyu limestone for the reception counter.

The project, which took 12 months to complete, started in December 2016 and was completed in December 2017. The design team included Norito Nakahara, Koichi Tomiyama, Hiroki Ebihara, Anna Oide, Chihiro Yukawa, Chiaki Takagane from Vanilla Graphics, HYGE INTERFACE Inc., Yuuki Wakasa from TENGUWORKS, and Eri Shimatsuka.

In conclusion, Hotel Locus by UDS Ltd. is a shining example of innovative design that redefines the concept of a resort. By embracing the entirety of Miyakojima island and emphasizing regionality, the hotel offers a unique, immersive experience that goes beyond the traditional resort model. The project's success is a testament to UDS Ltd.'s commitment to creating unique, culturally immersive experiences for travelers.