In anticipation of the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, a crop of new hotels have been popping up in and around Tokyo, including K5 by world-renowned design and architecture partnership, Claesson Koivisto Rune.
K5 is housed in a former 1920s bank building which miraculously survived the WWII fire raids, the deadliest bombing raid in history which razed most of Tokyo. Having fallen into disuse, the building was slated to be demolished until the team discovered that it was in incredible condition for its age. From this base, the designers injected life into this former financial hub by creating an interior that seeks to uplift and complement, rather than subdue, the age-old forms. Exposed concrete walls and pillars feel surprisingly unobtrusive, being softened by the plethora of greenery handpicked by artisans which give life and colour to an otherwise muted interior.
Based on the Japanese concept of aimai, or ambiguity, guest rooms are of Western design with unassuming Japanese touches. Each room also features hand-picked vinyl records and classic JBL speakers. Guests who stay in the fourth-floor loft rooms are in for a special treat, as they also feature an expansive 4.5m ceiling – a feat rarely found in hotels, let alone in the dense city of Tokyo.
