Tadao Ando's New Works

Tadao Ando's New Works | Shinmun Zen Hotel, Kyoto, Japan: Oriental Zen Aesthetics

The architect Tadao Ando, who is nearly 8 1 year-old, also chose to return to Kyoto to devote himself to a small building, Kyoto Xinwen Pavilion, and continue to write his moving poems.

Ben Richards/Xin Men Chan

Nearly 40 years after the establishment of TIME'S, Tadao Ando returned to Kyoto to design small buildings. This time, his work is a luxury hotel with only 9 rooms.

Heart-door Zen

"This hotel represents a subtle fusion of the past, the present and the future. I believe it will embody the essence of Kyoto and still attract people all over the world. "

-Tadao Ando

SHINMONZEN, hidden between Shirakawa and Xinmenqian Street in Gion, is the latest work of Tadao Ando, a Japanese architect and Pritzker Prize winner, in Kyoto. The hotel name "THE SHINMONZEN" means "New Gate" in Japanese, and next to the hotel is the most famous "Flower Street" in modern Japan.

The project has been in preparation for nearly 10 years, drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese hotels and combining with the needs of modern travelers, aiming to create a brand-new hotel that combines tradition with modernity and integrates East and West.

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"We try to design the exterior in traditional Japanese style, but we can find a completely different new modern world inside."

-Tadao Ando

Paddy McKillen, the founder of the hotel, said that she fell in love with Kyoto 20 years ago. In Kyoto, people call him Paddy Sang. "We have always wanted to have a small place in the center of Tanyuan, which is consistent with the tradition of the surrounding buildings. I was inspired by Japanese hotels, so I invited Mr. Ando to design a modern version of Japanese hotels. "

The appearance of the hotel pays tribute to the traditional Machiya Shinmun Zen in Kyoto.

For Ando, the starting point of design is how to balance the exterior in Kyoto's traditional environment with the interior that evokes a sense of Europe. Because Gion was designated as a protected area in Kyoto, Ando chose a dark wooden facade for the new building, and the roof was curved with Japanese-style tiles, in order to pay tribute to the traditional towns and houses in Kyoto.

A single black slit warm curtain with a handwritten white "S" on it marks the entrance of the hotel.

Hotel entrance NORITO YAMAUCHI

Then, a long and narrow indoor corridor, with rough concrete on one side and neatly arranged wooden planks on the other side, leads visitors into the building. The design of this modern corridor is translated from the common narrow corridor between two towns and houses-open space, as a foreshadowing before guiding guests to visit the main building. There is an interesting contrast between tradition and contemporary.

Entrance corridor NORITO YAMAUCHI

Rémi Tessier is responsible for interior design, combining traditional aesthetics of Kyoto with contemporary European design.

A series of striking contemporary works of art are displayed inside the hotel, just like in an art gallery, which will be changed regularly-from pink days in Louise Bourgeois, live paintings in damien hirst and Yin Yinghe's moon jar in the ground floor hall; Go to the corridors and guest rooms to see Mary McCartney's geisha photography, Nawa Kohei's director, Anne Morris's oil paintings and lines, and Makoto Ofune's blue and paper works.

Anne Morris, canvas and thread

Art and Custom Furniture Ben Richards/Xinmenchan

9 suites, spacious and modern. There are both western-style beds and tatami futons; Each suite has a private balcony overlooking the river. Irish moss and Provence jasmine are planted on the balcony.

The balcony of the guest room has a close-up view of the river.

Ben Richards/Xin Men Chan

Feel the flow of the four seasons

In Japanese philosophy, natural materials such as bamboo, lacquerware, silk and stone are full of vitality and provide a connection with God. Different suites emphasize different local materials, but they all define what is "elegance and comfort". Sliding paper screen, soft tatami floor, hand-woven carpet ... In the bright and spacious space, every detail is full of natural beauty.

On this basis, add some eye-catching custom artworks. For example, the ceramic wall vase designed by Takayuki Watanabe, the sycamore headboard and table designed by Longpré.

Art and Custom Furniture Ben Richards/Xinmenchan

There is a pink, green or beige marble dressing table in the bathroom, next to the Japanese cypress bathtub and the beauty product box designed by Kyoto bamboo and wood master Kohchosai Kosuga.

Marble dresser Yamauchi Norikoyamaguchi

Ando believes that each room embodies a different personality, which is a display of the balance between eastern and western design.

SUISHO: A large open suite with two balconies, one with a dining table and lounge chairs, and the other with a beautiful view of the Shirakawa River. Suites provide perfect privacy and relaxation space to meet the comfort needs of modern travelers. Highlights of the suite include spacious walk-in wardrobe, floor-to-ceiling windows, cypress bathtub and marble dresser.

Rui Xiu Ben Richards/Xin Men Chan

KINU: The most spacious suite with the feeling of a modern Japanese hotel. The bedroom has tatami floor and double bed. The highlights of the suite include a traditional cypress bathtub, which can realize the "hot spring" experience in the suite; Spacious living room and private balcony, from which you can see the scenery of Shirakawa River.

Keanu Ben Richards/Xin Men Chan

Rimu: A one-bedroom suite on the top floor with a private balcony and a view of Tanyuan Garden and Shirakawa River. It has a spacious living room and a fashionable dressing room.

Rimumu Richard/Xin Men Chan

ISHI: Inspired by traditional Japanese hotels, this one-bedroom suite has tatami floors and futon beds for two in the bedroom. It has a private balcony overlooking the Shirakawa River and a cypress bathtub that can enjoy the indoor "hot spring" experience.

ISHI· Ben Richards SHINMONZEN

TAKE: Plenty of natural light enters the room through paper sliding doors. The bedroom and living room are equipped with spacious private balconies with views of the Shirakawa River.

Take SHINMONZEN in Ben Richards as an example.

URUSHI: Before entering the suite, unique works of art were placed in the corridor as greetings to welcome guests. This suite offers a private living room and a separate bedroom. It is also equipped with an alder bathtub, a beige marble dresser and an open wardrobe.

Ben Richards/Xin Men Chan

Shi Wa: Private bedroom suite with simple design and customized furniture; The private balcony overlooks the scenery of the Shirakawa River.

Shi Wa Ben Richards SHINMONZEN

JIKI: A spacious one-bedroom suite with a private balcony and a view of the Shirakawa River. The living space is designed with floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing soft natural light to enter the room through paper sliding doors. Other luxury facilities include a spacious walk-in shower and a single marble dresser.

Ji Ji Ben Richards/Xin Men Chan

TOOKI: A private one-bedroom suite with a spacious balcony overlooking the Shirakawa River from the bedroom and living room. The living room emphasizes plenty of natural light, unique artworks and walk-in wardrobes.

Tuji Ben Richards/Xin Men Chan

The hotel officially opened in February, 2002165438. In addition, restaurants headed by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, French pastry shops in front of the street and underground spas will also meet the public soon.

As Tadao Ando said, "This hotel was born in a difficult and complicated environment. I hope guests can find peace here and enjoy traditional and modern Kyoto. "

Heart-door Zen

Guest Room Plan (Part)

item information

Project name: Xinmenchan Hotel

Project location: Kyoto, Japan

Architectural design: Tadao Ando

Interior design: Remi Tessier