Akiu Grand Hotel hot spring facility renovation work

[Project description]
A renovation project for the hot spring facilities of the main building of the Akiu Grand Hotel in the Akiu Onsen district of Sendai City. Taking full advantage of its location along the Rairaikyo Gorge, we aim to create a hot spring facility that combines the ambiance of the Akiu Grand Hotel with a modern impression while letting you feel the four seasons of Akiu and a sense of unity with the Rairaikyo Gorge. I was.

[Customer's challenges/requests]
Between the Raikyo Gorge and the hotel situated along the gorge, there is a walking path for tourists, so it was necessary to ensure that the hot spring facility was not visible from either the walking path or the hot spring facility. In addition, considerations were made to make the facility safe and accessible for three generations, such as reducing the height difference in the steps leading to the baths.
The men's bath is themed "Bonten no Yu - A bath of forgetfulness where you can cherish the four seasons of Akiu, enjoy a sense of unity with Raikyo Gorge, and heal your heart in a Zen-like tranquility," while the women's bath is concept design "Aihime no Yu - A serene, modern resort that resonates with the nature of Raikyo Gorge, a bath of beauty that allows you to truly relax in an extraordinary space."

[Solution]
Upon opening the sliding door to the hot spring, guests are greeted by a tranquil atmosphere with the natural beauty of Raikyo Gorge as a backdrop, resembling a painting. Hot spring water gushes forth from a large, carved natural stone resembling a water basin. The seasonal scenery of Raikyo Gorge is reflected in the open-air bath's water, creating an even greater sense of unity with nature. The edge of the bathtub has been made infinity so that it is not visible. Furthermore, the boundary wall between the men's and women's open-air baths utilizes large stones that have been there since ancient times, the floor is made of Towada stone with a pale blue-green color that gives a sense of cleanliness, and the ceiling is made of modern wood-grain panels, creating a stylish and high-quality atmosphere. Large, openable glass sashes are placed in the center of the indoor bath, connecting the inside and outside during pleasant seasons, allowing guests to feel the spaciousness of the space.

<Our project members>
[Development] Masayoshi Nishibori, Isao Oyama, Mitsuhiro Sato
[Sales] Hiroyuki Uesugi
[Creative Direction] Miwa Matsubara
[design, layout] Miwa Matsubara, Yoshiyuki Takahashi, Takeshi Honda
[Production and construction] Manabu Fukuda, Masaaki Takase, Ken Aizawa
[Architectural Supervision] Hiroshi Ueno