"Located in Iga, Japan, the Hakusen Hotel offered designboom a first-hand look at the former Ueno City Hall, embodying a striking example of architectural revitalization. Completed in 1964, this modernist masterpiece was the work of Junzo Sakakura, a pioneering figure in post-war Japanese architecture and a direct protégé of Le Corbusier. What was once a public building has been reinvented as a stayable cultural complex, merging a 19-room boutique hotel with an upcoming public library to create a unique destination where architectural heritage, contemporary design, and intellectual discovery converge."
"The revitalization design by MARU。architecture pays deep homage to Sakakura's original vision while weaving in modern comfort. Their approach centers on a continuously transitioning flow from outdoor to progressively calmer indoor spaces, maintaining low sightlines to encourage a settled, contemplative mood. The existing concrete walls and preserved wooden formwork are combined with ash wood and plaster to reveal a delicate texture"
Hakusen Hotel occupies the former Ueno City Hall in Iga, a 1964 modernist building by Junzo Sakakura. A citizens' preservation movement and a public-private partnership led by Funatani Holdings prevented demolition and enabled adaptive reuse. The complex merges a 19-room boutique hotel with a public library scheduled to open in spring 2026. MARU。architecture's redesign honors Sakakura’s original vision while adding contemporary comforts and emphasizes gradual transitions from outdoor to calmer indoor spaces and low sightlines for a contemplative atmosphere. Original concrete walls and preserved wooden formwork are paired with ash wood and plaster to reveal delicate textures, aiming to create a cultural hub beyond ninja tourism.
Read at designboom | architecture & design magazine
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