FHAMS turns 3 floors of nagoya TV tower into a hotel, café and restaurant

kyoto-based design studio, FHAMS, has completed a partial renovation of nagoya’s TV tower in japan. this most recent work follows a project in 2019 that turned the 60-year old tower into a mixed-use complex with earthquake resistance facilities. FHAMS was appointed to renovate a terraced café on the first floor, a banquet hall on the second floor, and a hotel lobby, guest rooms, and restaurant on the fourth floor.

images by takeshi nacasa / nacasa & partners

built in 1954, the structure stands 180 meters tall and was japan’s first TV tower. initially erected as a radio tower then converted into a TV tower, the building has lost its significance in the city as traditional TV has been replaced by online media. with this renovation project, FHAMS intends to bring the iconic landmark into a new era.

when designing the various hotel and dining spaces, FHAMS was challenged by the existing structure as the tower is supported by large pillars with diagonal members and angular trusses in both vertical and horizontal directions. in order to precisely construct every single detail, the entire structure was scanned in 3D. instead of hiding the steel elements, the design is centered around them, emphasizing the character of the original architecture.

FHAMS worked closely with the client and the operation team to decide on the materials, furniture, and art that would accentuate the spaces. overall, the renovation hopes to reveal the charismatic face of nagoya TV tower, and its unique steel structure, for future generations.

project info:

program: hotel, café, restaurant, banquet hall

location: 6-15, 3 nishiki, naka-ku, nagoya city, nagoya, japan

client: ameba holdings

architecture firm: FHAMS

year: 2020

1st floor area: 2,841.46 ft2 (263.98 m2)

2nd floor area: 5,835.76 ft2 (542.16 m2)

4th floor area: 10,586.95 ft2 (983.56 m2)

design director: yuki fukumoto

project manager: hiroshi ietsugu

project designer: kana greko

constructor: niyugumi

photography: takeshi nacasa / nacasa & partners

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom