Kengo Kuma Gives Kyoto A New Hotspot

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Kyoto is one of the most celebrated cities in the world, admired for an unparalleled social, creative, cultural and architectural dynamism. It’s been heralded as a creative wellspring, drawing artists here for centuries as a restorative, beautiful and generative refuge.

Now Ace Hotel Kyoto will help foster that same fertile, creative spirit for future generations, while paying homage to the rich imperial history that came before by partnering with NTT Urban Development Corporation for Ace Hotel Kyoto.

D e s i g n e d b y t h e f a m e d architect Kengo Kuma, Ace Hotel Kyoto opened with Kuma’s design that blends new with the old, incorporating renovations of the historic building-erected in the mid 1920s as the Kyoto Central Telephone Office-into the new build.

Kengo Kuma’s design embraces natural materials and light, and creates spaces for interaction and comfort. Known for his innovative design, creative re-use and locallyminded collaboration, the Ace Hotel Kyoto now stands as a monument to the beauty and unique legacy of Kyoto, a destination for culturally curious travelers and Kyoto residents alike.

“The thought was to create a hotel that is connected to Kyoto and open to the surrounding area. To begin with, the proposition was to create a dense garden where communities, as well as the past and the present, are connected to this venerable land with its various gardens, which have existed since

Kengo Kuma Gives Kyoto A New Hotspot Kengo Kuma is known for his understated, poetic designs that emphasizes humility and quality of material. This helps the newly opened Ace Hotel Kyoto become a space for joy and interaction.

The new hotel designed by Kengo Kuma is harmonious with its environment and in quiet dialogue with Kyoto’s past and future legends

Photo courtesy: Stephen Kent Johnson

the Heian period.

The existing Kyoto central telephone office building was designed by one of the great Japanese modern architects Tetsuro Yoshida. Through the central courtyard, this red brick building will converse and create a new harmony with a wooden grid system that reminisces traditional Kyoto. The integrity of Aneyakoji road and Higashino-toin road was preserved through the delicate use of fine louvers and meshes.

These louvers and meshes also act as environmental devices, which gently filters light and

wind. Furthermore, the concrete was mixed with iron oxide to produce a fine warm color, which cannot be fabricated by paint. Every detail and material was thought through to connect the building, land and history together. Ace Hotel is changing the definition of the hotel by connecting the surrounding area with the hotel, and the community with the guests. This is gently changing the air of the world,” said Kengo Kuma of his latest commission.

Kengo Kuma established his firm “Kengo Kuma & Associates”

Centrally located, the neighborhood around the hotel sits on the former grounds of the imperial palace and is rumored to once have been the home of Japanese samurai

in 1990. He runs diverse research projects concerning architecture, urbanity and design within his own Laboratory, Kuma Lab.His firm, Kengo Kuma & Associates employs over 150 architects in Tokyo and Paris, designing projects of diverse type and scale throughout the world. Kuma’s stated goal is to recover the tradition of Japanese buildings and to reinterpret these traditions for the 21st century, he maintains a keen interest in the manipulation of light with nature through materiality. Contact web: www.kkaa.co.jp

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By inspecting its role within the dialogue of contemporary design, by interpreting both the present and the future, Zaha Hadid Design keeps alive the legend.

ZHD, which is helmed creatively by co-Directors Maha Kutay and Woody Yao, has an extensive crossdisciplinary portfolio that includes fashion, jewellery, furniture and finishes, interiors, exhibitions, installations, sculpture and set-design.

ZHD has come up with a collection whose strength lies in its ability to interpret the ordinary and turn it into something unexpected. When designing objects Zaha was never constrained by any given use or spatial context. Continuing to follow and draw strength from this approach, the collection has room to evolve without compromising the integrity of the design.

The Plex Vessel in crystal glass has been envisaged as a multi-use object. The elegant wave-like gesture belies the complexity of its design which consists of two re-configurable elements. This light-hearted object can be stacked vertically, hiding its contents within or separated into parts that nest together to create a defined landscape across any surface.

The Pulse Platter in glass has a slight depth that allows for an exaggerated articulation of the pleated glass, a distinct character

The Legend, That Is Zaha Hadid Continues Imbibing Zaha Hadid’s methods in each new project, Zaha Hadid Design (ZHD) continues to share Hadid’s story.

Pulse Glass Collection

Shimmer Scented Candles

Serenity Platters

Cell Candleholders

found in the design language of the Pulse family of objects. These vertical waves intentionally highlight the asymmetry of the design along the circumference.

The Shimmer Scented Candle made of lead-free crystal has a faceted, flame-polished structure that transitions upwards from a rounded base to a hexagonal peak. Inspired by Zaha Hadid’s research into tower forms, the object can also be used as a sculptural container. The scents come in Smokey Cade, Cedar Leaf, Black Pepper and Cumin Seed.

Woody Yao, joined Zaha Hadid Architects in 1994. As well as working on projects, Woody has been instrumental in the development of the Archive and the growth of the Exhibitions program as he currently curates several shows a year and leads his team in design and execution.

Maha Kutay joined Zaha

Hadid Architects in 1995 and has been involved in a number of key architectural projects such as the ‘ROCA London Gallery’ and the ‘Serpentine Sackler Gallery’. Having assisted with the design of Zaha Hadid’s first limited edition product collaboration, she began to develop and manage the product design department. Collaborating with global luxury brands and galleries, Maha leads her team in the implementation of every project.

When speaking about the ZHD Collection - the own label of design objects launched by Hadid in 2014, Yao and Kutay explain,

“ZHD also operates the Zaha Hadid Gallery in London, UK which examines her work across all scales and which is host to temporary exhibitions featuring emerging designers, as well as a venue for product launches, lectures, and performances rooted in contemporary culture.” Contact web: zaha-hadid-design.com