{"id":14183,"date":"2025-09-08T14:30:14","date_gmt":"2025-09-08T07:30:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cstc.vn\/blogtsk\/hakusen-revitalizes-modernist-city-hall-into-boutique-hotel-and-public-library-in-japan\/"},"modified":"2025-09-08T14:30:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-08T07:30:14","slug":"hakusen-revitalizes-modernist-city-hall-into-boutique-hotel-and-public-library-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cstc.vn\/blogtsk\/hakusen-revitalizes-modernist-city-hall-into-boutique-hotel-and-public-library-in-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"hakusen revitalizes modernist city hall into boutique hotel and public library in japan"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 class=\"wow wow-yellow\">JUNZO SAKAKURA\u2019S FORMER CITY HALL TURNS INTO BOUTIQUE HOTEL<\/h2>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\n<span>Located in Iga, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.designboom.com\/tag\/architecture-in-japan\/\">Japan<\/a><span>, the Hakusen<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designboom.com\/tag\/hotel-architecture-and-design\/\">Hotel<\/a><span> offered designboom a first-hand look at the former Ueno City Hall, embodying a striking example of architectural revitalization. Completed in 1964, this modernist masterpiece was the work of Junzo Sakakura, a pioneering figure in post-war Japanese architecture and a direct prot\u00e9g\u00e9 of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.designboom.com\/tag\/le-corbusier\/\">Le Corbusier<\/a><span>. What was once a public building has been reinvented as a stayable cultural complex, merging a 19-room <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.designboom.com\/tag\/designer-boutique-hotel\/\">boutique hotel<\/a><span> with an upcoming public<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designboom.com\/tag\/library-architecture-and-design\/\">library<\/a><span> to create a unique destination where architectural heritage, contemporary design, and intellectual discovery converge.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>all images courtesy of designboom unless stated otherwise<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wow wow-yellow\">PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP SAVES CITY HALL FROM DEMOLITION<\/h2>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\n<span>While many old Japanese buildings are repurposed for tourism, the Ueno City Hall was saved from demolition by a citizens\u2019 preservation movement and transformed into the Hakusen Hotel through a public-private partnership. This approach, driven by Funatani Holdings, was sparked by the former mayor\u2019s vision to make the building a landmark for Iga, establishing a new cultural hub that could serve as a creative catalyst for the rural region. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hakusen-iga.com\/\">The hotel<\/a><span>\u2018s concept of \u2018floating on a sea of words\u2019 embodies this ambition, offering a stay that is both a physical rest and an intellectual journey, fostering a deeper connection to the local culture beyond its well-known ninja heritage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>the public library is scheduled to open within the same facility in spring 2026 | image \u00a9 Hakusen<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wow wow-yellow\">HOTEL HAKUSEN INTEGRATES PUBLIC LIBRARY<\/h2>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span>The revitalization design by MARU\u3002architecture pays deep homage to Sakakura\u2019s original vision while weaving in modern comfort. Their approach centers on a continuously transitioning flow from outdoor to progressively calmer indoor spaces, maintaining low sightlines to encourage a settled, contemplative mood. The existing concrete walls and preserved wooden formwork are combined with ash wood and plaster to reveal a delicate texture. This pattern gently unites the atmosphere throughout the building.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>reception area with wooden formwork on the existing concrete walls | image \u00a9 Hakusen<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span>For\u00a0designboom\u2019s\u00a0stay, the Hakusen Hotel provided a suite room, styled by NOTA&amp;design. The interiors resonate with a wabi-sabi-inspired simplicity, finished with warm materials and a serene atmosphere. Furniture by Tendo Mokko, originally designed by Sakakura Junzo Architects &amp; Engineers, harmonizes with the minimalist spaces\u00a0to create\u00a0intimate guest rooms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span>Each room is further enriched by the carefully curated art, chosen to bring a tactile feel and emotional depth to Sakakura\u2019s sharp lines and concrete textures. Ceramic works by local artist Taro Tsubota and abstract paintings by Rena Fujimoto adorn each room, while a unique mosaic mural by ceramist Masaomi Yasunaga greets visitors, transforming the hotel into a living gallery where art and architecture engage in quiet conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Iga\u2019s former city hall transformed into a designer boutique hotel with 19 rooms<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span>Even the branding, conceived by UMA\/design farm, contributes to this immersive narrative. The Hakusen logo itself is an abstract and poetic distillation of Sakakura\u2019s architecture, evoking images of a boat, moonlight, or a reader lost in thought. Adopting navy blue \u2014 a color restored from the building\u2019s original second floor \u2014 the logo and signage ensure that every visual element respects and enhances the architectural memory. Documentary photographs of the old city hall, taken by Yuma Harada before the renovation, are also exhibited, silently weaving the building\u2019s past journey into the guest experience. This encapsulates how\u00a0a stay at Hakusen is a profound journey through time, culture, and design.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\t<!-- CLOSE ARTICLE CONTENT --><\/p>\n<div class=\"fullwidth-image\">\n<div class=\"layout-box\">\n<div class=\"page-content\">\n<p>the suite room, styled by NOTA&amp;design<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>\t<!-- OPEN ARTICLE CONTENT -->\t<\/p>\n<p>all rooms resonate with a wabi-sabi inspired simplicity<\/p>\n<p>furniture from Tendo Mokko, designed by Sakakura Junzo Architects &amp; Engineers | image \u00a9 Hakusen<\/p>\n<p>\t<!-- CLOSE ARTICLE CONTENT --><\/p>\n<div class=\"fullwidth-image\">\n<div class=\"layout-box\">\n<div class=\"page-content\">\n<p>the rooms are finished with a warm material feel and a serene atmosphere<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>\t<!-- OPEN ARTICLE CONTENT -->\t<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>project info:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>name: <a href=\"https:\/\/hakusen-iga.com\/\"><span>Hakusen<\/span><\/a><span> Hotel | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/hakusen_iga\/\"><span>@hakusen_iga<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>architect: <span>Junzo Sakakura<\/span><\/p>\n<p>location: <span>Iga, Japan<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>revitalization: <a href=\"https:\/\/maruarchi.com\/\"><span>MARU\u3002architecture<\/span><br \/>\n<\/a>interior styling: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nota-and.com\/\"><span>NOTA&amp;design<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>branding: <a href=\"https:\/\/umamu.jp\/\"><span>UMA\/design farm<\/span><\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/umadesignfarm\/\"><span>@umadesignfarm<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designboom.com\/architecture\/hakusen-revitalization-modernist-city-hall-boutique-hotel-public-library-japan-09-08-2025\/\">hakusen revitalizes modernist city hall into boutique hotel and public library in japan<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designboom.com\/\">designboom | architecture &amp; design magazine<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>JUNZO SAKAKURA\u2019S FORMER CITY HALL TURNS INTO BOUTIQUE HOTEL \u00a0 Located in Iga, Japan, the Hakusen Hotel offered designboom a first-hand look at the former Ueno City Hall, embodying a striking example of architectural revitalization. &hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[142],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v16.7 - 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