Tadao Ando’s new work

The nearly 81-year-old architect Tadao Ando also chose to return to Kyoto and once again worked on a small-scale building after many years - the Kyoto Shinmonzon Hotel, continuing his work A touching collection of poems.

Ben Richards/THE SHINMONZEN

On the occasion of nearly 40 years since the establishment of TIME'S, Tadao Ando returned to Kyoto and once again operated Knife designs small-scale buildings. This time, his creation is a Luxury Collection hotel with just nine rooms.

THE SHINMONZEN

“This hotel represents a subtle fusion between past, present and future. I believe that It will capture the essence of Kyoto while still attracting people from all over the world."

- Tadao Ando

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

The project has been prepared for nearly 10 years, drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese inns and combining them with the needs of modern travelers, aiming to create a hotel that combines tradition and contemporary times. New hotels of East and West.

THE SHINMONZEN

“We tried to design the exterior in a traditional Japanese style, but inside you can find a completely different The new modern world. ”

——Tadao Ando

Hotel founder Paddy McKillen said that he fell in love with Kyoto 20 years ago. In Kyoto, people call him Paddy-san. "We always wanted something small in the center of Gion, consistent with the tradition of the surrounding buildings. I was inspired by Japanese-style ryokan, so I asked Mr. Ando to design a modern version of a ryokan."

The appearance of the hotel pays tribute to Kyoto’s traditional machiya THE SHINMONZEN

For Ando, ??the starting point of the design is how to balance the An exterior in a traditional Kyoto setting, and an interior that evokes a European feel. Since Gion is designated a protected area in Kyoto, Ando chose a dark wooden facade for the new building, with a roof made of curved Japanese tiles, in homage to Kyoto's traditional machiya houses.

A single black slit curtain with a white "S" written in calligraphy marks the entrance to the hotel.

Hotel Entrance NORITO YAMAUCHI

Immediately afterwards, there is a long and narrow indoor corridor, with rough concrete on one side and rough concrete on the other. Neatly arranged wooden slats lead visitors deeper into the building. The design of this modern-style corridor is translated from the common narrow walkway between two machiya houses - the open space, which serves as a pavement before guiding guests to visit the main building. Heritage and contemporary create an interesting contrast here.

Entrance Corridor NORITO YAMAUCHI

The interior design overseen by Rémi Tessier combines Kyoto’s traditional aesthetics and European contemporary design .

An eye-catching collection of contemporary art pieces is displayed inside the hotel, like in an art gallery, and is changed regularly - from the ground floor lobby to Louise Louise Bourgeois’ Pink Days, Damien Hirst’s site paintings and Yoon-Young Hur’s Moon Jar; to the hallways and guest rooms Marie Mary McCartney’s Photography of Geisha, Kohei Nawa’s Direction, Annie Morris’ Canvas and Thread, and Makoto Ofune’s Blue washi paper work.

Annie Morris, Canvas and Thread

Artwork and custom furniture Ben Richards/THE SHINMONZEN

9 suites, spacious and modern. There are both Western-style beds and tatami futons; each suite has a private balcony overlooking the river. The balcony is planted with Irish moss and Provence jasmine.

Room balconies with close-up views of the river

Ben Richards/THE SHINMONZEN

Feelings The flow of the four seasons NORITO YAMAUCHI

In Japanese philosophy, natural materials such as bamboo, lacquerware, silk, and stone are full of life and provide a connection with God. Different suites emphasize different local materials, but all define what "elegant comfort" is. Sliding Japanese paper screens, soft tatami floors, hand-woven carpets... In the bright and spacious space, every detail is full of the original beauty of nature.

Build on this foundation and add some eye-catching custom artwork. Examples include ceramic wall vases by Takayuki Watanabe and sycamore wood headboards and tables by Longpré.

Artwork and custom furniture Ben Richards/THE SHINMONZEN

The bathroom is lined with marble vanities in pink, green or beige The counter is flanked by a Japanese cypress bathtub and a beauty product box designed by Kyoto bamboo master Kohchosai Kosuga.

Marble Dressing Table NORITO YAMAUCHI

Ando believes that each room embodies a different personality and is one of the best examples of Eastern and Western design. Demonstration of balance.

SUISHO: Large open-plan suite with two balconies, one with dining table and sun loungers, the other with views of the Shirakawa River. Suites offer the perfect amount of privacy and relaxation, with the comfort the modern traveler demands. Suite highlights include a spacious walk-in closet, floor-to-ceiling windows, cypress tub and marble vanity.

SUISHO Ben Richards/THE SHINMONZEN

KINU: The most spacious suite with a modern ryokan feel. The bedroom has a tatami floor and a double bed. Suite highlights include a traditional cypress bathtub that enables an in-suite "onsen" experience, a spacious living room and a private balcony with views of the Shirakawa River from both the bedroom and living room.

KINU Ben Richards/THE SHINMONZEN

HINOKI: Top floor one-bedroom suite with private balcony and views View of Gion and Shirakawa River. It has a spacious living room and a stylish dressing room.

HINOKI Ben Richards/THE SHINMONZEN

ISHI: Inspired by traditional Japanese inns, this one-bedroom suite Features include a tatami floor and a double futon bed in the bedroom. It features a private balcony overlooking the Shirakawa River, and a cypress bathtub for an indoor "hot spring" experience.

ISHI Ben Richards/THE SHINMONZEN

TAKE: Ample natural light enters the interior through Japanese paper sliding doors, bedrooms and The living rooms all have spacious private balconies with views of the Shirakawa River.

TAKE Ben Richards/THE SHINMONZEN

URUSHI: Unique works of art are placed in the hallway before entering the suite. As a greeting to welcome guests. The suite offers an intimate living room and a separate bedroom. It also has a cypress bathtub, cream marble vanity and an open wardrobe.

URUSHI Ben Richards/THE SHINMONZEN

WASHI: A private bedroom suite with a minimalist design and custom furnishings ;Private balcony overlooking the Shirakawa River.

WASHI Ben Richards/THE SHINMONZEN

JIKI: Spacious one-bedroom suite with private balcony and views of the Shirakawa River River view. The living space is designed with floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing soft natural light to enter through the Japanese paper sliding doors. Other luxurious features include a spacious walk-in shower and single-piece marble vanity.

JIKI Ben Richards/THE SHINMONZEN

TOOKI: Private one-bedroom suite with spacious balcony with views from The bedroom and living room overlook the Shirakawa River. The living room emphasizes lots of natural light, unique artwork, and an additional walk-in closet.

TOOKI Ben Richards/THE SHINMONZEN

The hotel has officially opened in December 2021. In addition, a restaurant with Jean-Georges Vongerichten as chef, a street-front patisserie, and an underground spa will soon be available to the public.

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

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THE SHINMONZEN

Guest room floor plan (part)

Project Information

Project Name: THE SHINMONZEN Hotel

Project Location: Kyoto, Japan

Architectural Design: Tadao Ando

Interior Design: Remi Tessier