kengo kuma transforms japanese nursing home into the WE hotel toya using fabric and wood

kengo kuma has transformed a nursing home located by the lake toya, in hokkaido, japan, into a boutique hotel. WE hotel toya features locally produced cedar logs on its façade as well as in its interior spaces that contribute to an overall sense of comfort and warmth for the hotel’s guests.

all images by kawasumi kobayashi kenji photograph office

combining wood and fabric in the hotel‘s exterior and interior areas, kuma has created a series of theatrical yet harmonious spaces. a cave-formed space made of pleated cloths makes the hotel’s bar & restaurant, which offers great views of the lake in front. each guest room features a hinoki (cypress) bathtub in its balcony, allowing guests to enjoy the landscape and the qualities of the tree.

project info:

name: WE hotel toya

architect: kengo kuma and associates

location: toyako, hokkaido, japan

size: 5330m²

main use: hotel

project team: hiroaki akiyama, akio saruta, asami igarashi, léon dussault-gagné, yohei mochizuki(visualization), yuzuru kamiya(physical models), shiho yoo(sign), ryuya yamawaki*, pablo otero sanchez* (*former staff)