Revitalizing an Important Cultural Property imbued with the spirit of the Meiji era into a living space for today required crucial behind-the-scenes work in seismic reinforcement and heritage preservation. A meticulous harmony was achieved with profound respect for its history.
Striking black iron pillars, essential for seismic retrofitting, are woven into the room design to bear history's weight. Red bricks removed during block alterations were strictly stored and preserved, as mandated for an Important Cultural Property. This facility beautifully triumphs over the structural restrictions unique to heritage architecture.
The floral carpets in the corridors offer a soft tread—a subtle "guardian" that welcomes guests without damaging the delicate heritage architecture. In-room carpets provide soundproofing, while wooden frames surround the beds for insulation and acoustics. To ensure a comfortable stay, elegant touches are woven throughout, seamlessly blending luxury hospitality with preservation.
Due to heritage preservation rules, only "white" was permitted for the long corridor walls from the central guardhouse to the prison wards. Yet, this restriction inspired the architect's artistic flair, adding a mysterious "blue moment" at the corridor's end. As night falls, this emerging blue lends deep perspective to the white space, dissolving the boundary between reality and history.
