Kengo Kuma has designed the soon-to-open Ace Hotel Kyoto. Located within a building, designed by Tetsuro Yoshida which formerly housed the Kyoto Central Telephone Company, as well as a newly built part, the 213-key property is being touted as a cultural catalyst.
Featuring an animated lobby, a verdant garden courtyard, a gallery, event spaces, collaborations with local artists, a cafe and three stand-alone restaurants, the Ace Hotel Kyoto is an architectural venture between Kuma and award-winning and longtime Ace partner Commune Design, the in-house creative studio.
“I intended to design a ‘Cultural Catalyst’ for various people to visit and create a seamless relationship with Kyoto’s community.” – Kengo Kuma, principal, Kengo Kuma & Associates.
Designed as a vibrant gathering space, blending in and portraying the “city’s abundance of nature, art, constantly evolving culture, craftsmanship and profound history”, the hotel aims to become a landmark.
A central courtyard underlines the junction point between the historic and the new building, and multiple transitional spaces put in place “thoughtfully landscaped gardens”. As seen in Ace Hotels around the world, this property too will showcase original art, including works by 98-year-old Japanese artist Samiro Yunoki.
