For centuries, Japan has been a beacon of craftsmanship, where the pursuit of perfection is deeply embedded in cultural tradition. Shizuoka City, in particular, carries a historical legacy as a former castle town, evolving into a thriving artisan hub over 400 years ago. Paying homage to this rich heritage, Japanese design studio UO has transformed the Nakajimaya Grand Hotel with their centerpiece installation, Nakajimaya Crossing.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Location: Shizuoka City, Japan
Design: UO
Installation: Nakajimaya Crossing
Crafts: Ocha-zome, Take-sensuji
Photography: uo-design.jp
Architect: UO Design Studio
Located in the hotel’s lobby, this bold sculpture celebrates age-old crafts while bridging them with modern design sensibilities. It serves not only as an aesthetic highlight of the hotel but also as a testament to the innovative possibilities of fusing traditional techniques. Visitors are greeted by this striking work, which sets the tone for the hotel’s evolving visual identity.
The installation is centered around elongated metal frames, stacked and layered to form a towering structure at the heart of the lobby. These frames extend to four wall-mounted pieces located behind the front desk, creating a cohesive visual narrative throughout the space. Each frame highlights a different craft, offering a fresh perspective on techniques that have been honed over generations.
At the core of Nakajimaya Crossing’s design is the idea of intersecting crafts. Where one frame may feature a craft like fabric dyed using tea leaves, known as ‘ocha-zome,’ another might showcase bamboo strips meticulously arranged with 2mm precision, a method called ‘take-sensuji.’ Where these frames intersect, something new emerges—a fusion of dyed fabric woven with bamboo, reflecting both traditional practices adapted into a modern context.
This innovative synthesis of crafts isn’t just theoretical; it brought together four artisans who typically work within their own disciplines. Under the guidance of UO, these craftsmen collaborated closely, stepping out of their comfort zones to combine skills and create something entirely novel. The installation stands as proof of how traditional boundaries can be pushed to foster new creative expressions.
Beyond the lobby, the hotel plans to incorporate these intersecting craft techniques into other areas, such as furniture and even room keys, weaving a unified thematic presence throughout the guest experience. Nakajimaya Crossing will continue to inform the hotel’s future design elements, ensuring that tradition and innovation walk hand in hand.
As a permanent fixture, Nakajimaya Crossing does more than beautify the hotel—it redefines the space as a venue where traditional and modern skills converge. It offers visitors both a visual and conceptual narrative rooted in the evolution of craftsmanship.
To experience UO’s transformative work firsthand, visit the Nakajimaya Grand Hotel or explore more about their designs at uo-design.jp.
