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︎ NOT A HOTEL

Abendliche Außenansicht des Not A Hotel in Kitakaruizawa von Architekt München – beleuchtet, Glasfassaden, Terrasse mit Gästen, Felsen und Bäume | Evening exterior render of Not A Hotel in Kitakaruizawa by Munich architect – illuminated glass facades, guests on terrace, rocks and trees | Hutz Architects
Lageplan des Not A Hotel in Kitakaruizawa, entworfen vom Architekten München – vier Baukörper auf bewaldeten Grundstück mit Höhenlinien und Bäumen | Site plan of Not A Hotel in Kitakaruizawa, designed by Munich architecture studio – four volumes on wooded plot with topographic contours and trees | Hutz Architects
Tagesperspektive des Not A Hotel in Kitakaruizawa von Architekten München – auf Stützen erhobener Holzbau im Sommerwald, Parkplatz darunter | Daytime render of Not A Hotel in Kitakaruizawa by architect Munich Germany – timber volume elevated on columns in summer forest, parking below | Hutz Architects
Innenansicht des Wohnbereichs in Kitakaruizawa, entworfen vom Architekturbüro München – offene Küche, Holzlamellendecke und Panoramaglas zum Wald | Interior render of the living and kitchen volume in Kitakaruizawa by Munich architecture studio – open kitchen island, timber slatted ceiling, full-height glass with forest views | Hutz Architects
Winterliche Nachtstimmung am Not A Hotel in Kitakaruizawa von Innenarchitekt München – Schlafzimmervolumen mit gebogenem Dach zwischen Schnee und Felsen | Winter night render of Not A Hotel bedroom volume in Kitakaruizawa by Munich interior architect – curved roof, snow-covered rocks, illuminated glass facade | Hutz Architects
Konstruktionsaxonometrie des Not A Hotel in Kitakaruizawa vom Architekturbüro München – Holztragwerk mit gebogenen Deckenbalken, Stützen und Haustechnik-Kern | Construction axonometric of Not A Hotel in Kitakaruizawa by Munich architect – timber CLT frame with curved ceiling beams, structural columns, and MEP core | Hutz Architects
Winterliche Außenansicht der Spa-Terrasse in Kitakaruizawa von Architekten München – Außenbadewanne auf erhöhter Plattform, Gäste, beleuchteter Spa hinter Glasfassade | Winter exterior render of spa terrace in Kitakaruizawa by architect Munich Germany – outdoor hot tub on elevated platform, guests, illuminated spa behind glass | Hutz Architects
Schnittzeichnung des Not A Hotel in Kitakaruizawa von Architekt München – zwei Ebenen, geneigtes Gelände, Bäume im Hintergrund, beschrifteter Querschnitt | Section drawing of Not A Hotel in Kitakaruizawa by Munich architect – two levels, sloped terrain, tree canopy above, labeled cross-section | Hutz Architects
Abendperspektive des Not A Hotel in Kitakaruizawa, entworfen vom Architekturbüro München – belebte Terrasse, Bäume zwischen den Volumen, Felsen und Parkierung darunter | Evening perspective of Not A Hotel in Kitakaruizawa by Munich architecture studio – animated terrace with guests, trees growing between volumes, rocks and parking below | Hutz Architects
The hotel integrates nature into the architecture and blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor living. The building is placed towards the main road to minimize impact on the nature but also to benefit from the rocks as well as the flat terrain at the proposed location. The arrangement of the rooms allows for targeted, manifold views and integrates the existing trees and rocks harmoniously into the experience. The design consists out of four separate volumes, divided into living area & kitchen, spa & Hiroma, as well as two bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. The volumes are connected at their ends, creating a central axis. Since the site does not offer a clear visual orientation, the arrangement of the volumes creates a variety of individual spatial experiences and views, each offering different qualities. Each of the four spaces has its own balcony, oriented in all cardinal directions, depending on its position and program.
The balconies incorporate the existing trees and rocks into their experience. The arrangement of the volumes also create courtyards, including the existing trees, offering intriguing visual connections between the rooms. The roof plays a special role in the design, dynamically breaking up the rectangular volumes. At one corner of each room, the roof curves upwards, creating different room heights and qualities, allowing the architecture to naturally blend with the surroundings through curated views. This design recalls traditional Japanese roof forms, creating a bridge between contemporary and vernacular architecture. The concept of scattered volumes is flexible and applicable to different program or site conditions. The core of the building includes MEP and storage space but also provides a vertical connection between the two levels.
Guests arrive underneath the main volume with two parking lots. An open staircase/ elevator brings the visitors to the first floor into the main and biggest volume: the living room with kitchen and fireplace are the center of the arrangement. Adjacent and in close connection the Hiroma extends the living space but also creates a more intimate hideaway. The Spa is located next to it and can be used as lounge or TV area after the Sauna. The two guestrooms are located on both ends of the arrangement to maximize privacy. By breaking up the spatial program into smaller units, the architecture integrates unobtrusively into the environment. The large glass surfaces give guests the feeling of floating among the trees, offering an immersive experience of nature.
Competition

Location:
Kitakaruizawa,
Japan

Area:
250 m²

Project Year:
2024

Team:
Martino Hutz
Mohammed-Ali Bekakria
Balthasar Unger