Located on a narrow site within the city’s dense CBD, the project combines a renovated apartment building with a new extension, separating onsen and spa functions while maintaining a cohesive spatial experience.

The design draws inspiration from Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery, expressed through a careful balance of old and new. This approach is reflected in the material palette, where Japanese minimalism is paired with locally sourced finishes.

A central courtyard becomes the key design strategy, introducing natural light and acting as a shared buffer between the two buildings. The arrival sequence begins on the second-floor lobby, where a bamboo-textured concrete wall anchors the space and creates a calm transition from the city outside. Circulation spaces are softened with wood flooring and concealed lighting, reinforcing a quiet, introspective atmosphere.

The onsen facilities, located on the upper floors, adopt a restrained palette of light-toned materials, slate stone, and indirect lighting. Spatial sequencing is designed to gradually shift the experience—from tactile and grounded to calm and immersive. In contrast, treatment rooms are more intimate, featuring soft lighting filtered through wooden screens reminiscent of shoji panels.

At ground level, a garden-facing restaurant extends the experience into a more social setting, while the rooftop bar reintroduces bamboo elements overhead, casting shifting light and shadow. A white marble mosaic floor subtly references the Kintsugi concept, tying the narrative together through material expression.