Tokyo K5 Hotel: A Unique Blend of History and Modern Design

♦ The K5 Hotel in Tokyo was originally a bank built in the 1920s, surviving the bombings of World War II. It has now been transformed into a boutique hotel by Swedish design firm Claesson Koivisto Rune. The firm carefully renovated the building while respecting its original appearance and features. One major challenge was converting the parking lot at the back of the original structure into a new hotel façade. Stained glass windows were added to bring in external light, creating dynamic light and shadow effects inside. ♦ As a micro-complex, K5 Hotel introduces a new hotel concept where all rooms, restaurants, bars, and social spaces are designed based on the Japanese concept of "aimai." This term positively describes ambiguity or blurriness, inspiring a layout that uses furniture, textiles, and plants instead of walls to create subtle separations. Modern details and furniture brighten the aging yet character-filled interior, while plants aim to evoke the feeling of an urban oasis.