Interview about Norm Air Hotel, winner of the A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award 2023
The private hotel Norm Air, based on the concept of chill and art, was designed to provide a luxurious chill experience. Overlooking the sky, forests, and lakes, the hotel offers a visual experience of floating in the sky, just as the word air implies. Designed for inclement weather, guests can enjoy the art on display at the hotel and the luxury chill experience even on rainy or cold days. Furniture and tools created by artists and designers allow you to enjoy an extraordinary experience.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe project was originally inspired by the street art that dotted the streets of New York City, where the client spent time as a student.We thought that art should not be something you go all the way to museums to see, but something that exists in our daily lives and should be more familiar to us.The client wanted to create a place where people could feel close to art, like the streets of New York.We also thought it would be meaningful if we could provide a place for young artists who have not yet been able to showcase their work to the world.
Before designing hotel norm. air, we designed a related lodging facility called hotel norm. fuji.I synchronized the shape of the accommodation with that of the hotel.I also wanted people to focus their attention on the view of Lake Kawaguchi in front of the building, so I erected walls on both sides of the building, with openings only in the front.The exterior walls are finished with a traditional Japanese thatched roof with a single letter to express stillness in contrast to the movement of the surrounding environment.
Kawaguchiko is a very cold area.Even if you come to visit this place, you can enjoy this hotel regardless of the weather so that you will not be unable to do all the things you want to do because of cold or rain.Also, the balcony is higher than the surrounding buildings, so you can see a nice view of Kawaguchi Lake without having to put in extra buildings.
Basically, artworks selected by norm. members are exhibited on a monthly basis. For the artists, it is a great opportunity to catch the attention of many guests, and for the guests, they are greeted by a different presentation each time they come to the same building.The hotel is constantly evolving.
As mentioned above, it is very cold in the winter at Lake Kawaguchi, and it is not possible to stay outside for long periods of time.However, in winter, when the air is clearer, you can see the beauty of Lake Kawaguchi.We would like our guests to see such beautiful scenery and experience the smell of the forest in the morning.For this reason, we have created a large balcony as a space where guests can escape from the rain and cold as much as possible.
While actively using modern materials and techniques, we tried to create a relaxing space, a landscape that we have seen in the distant past.We also tried to choose materials within the color scheme we had initially decided upon, rather than using a large number of materials and colors.
Yes, the overall shape of the building may seem avant-garde and eccentric, but it was designed in accordance with the standards of the Natural Parks Law.I also think that the fact that the exterior of the building is all black is a major factor in its ability to blend in with the natural surroundings.We created an exciting feeling that the building could be seen from a distance, just a little bit.
I think the best expression of The concept of “luxury chill” is the large inner balcony.I think that just sitting there in a daze is the meaning of coming to this hotel.Even if I don't do anything myself, the surrounding environment changes little by little as time goes by, and I think it has the effect of relaxing my mind and body tired from the hustle and bustle of the city.
hotel norm. air is not only a place to stay, but also a place for communication. In addition to accommodations, the hotel can be used for magazine and video shoots, weddings, parties, and other events.By increasing opportunities for many people to gather, the artwork displayed there will be seen by many people.
It is no exaggeration to say that after the pandemic, not only in this area but also in many other areas, single-building rental accommodations have become rampant.In this situation, the hotel management of hotel norm. air, which is constantly changing, has a solid concept that does not allow others to follow.I believe that the secret of success lies not only in creating a well-designed building, but also in creating a hotel with a solid concept.
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