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DesignNewswire · COMO, Italy ·

TOKI to TOKI Japanese Traditional Hotel by Akitoshi Imafuku Wins the A' Design Award in Interior Space and Exhibition Design

Akitoshi Imafuku acknowledged for interior space and exhibition design by the international grand jury of the 2019 - 2020 A' Design Award & Competition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COMO, Italy, April 23, 2020 /DesignNewswire/ TOKI to TOKI Japanese Traditional Hotel by Akitoshi Imafuku, designed for SUMIHEI Annex TOKI to TOKI, has been granted the A' Design Award in the Interior Space and Exhibition Design category, A' Design Award & Competition has announced. The recognition forms part of the 2019 - 2020 A' Design Award & Competition and was decided through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who scored anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.

What the A' Design Award Means

The Iron A' Design Award is awarded to good designs that meet the rigorous professional and industrial standards set by the A' Design Awards. This recognition is reserved for works that demonstrate a solid understanding of design principles and show creativity within their execution. Recipients of the Iron A' Design Award are acknowledged for their practical innovations and contributions to their respective fields, providing solutions that improve quality of life and foster positive change. These designs are a testament to the skill and dedication of their creators, showcasing their ability to address real-world challenges through thoughtful design.

About TOKI to TOKI Japanese Traditional Hotel

TOKI to TOKI in Chinese characters means “season and time” and the designers wish to design a place to simply enjoy changes of the season while time passing slowly. At the lobby, the stools were placed at relatively wide spaces in between to cherish personal space while enjoying the food and communication. The geometrical shaped tatami floor and the pattern by lights are inspired by the river and a willow tree in front of this hotel, and create magical but relaxing atmosphere. At the bar space, they designed the magnificent organic-shaped sofa with textile designer Jotaro SAITO.

About Akitoshi Imafuku

Born in Osaka Prefecture, founded supermaniac inc. in 2000. He specializes in branding, marketing, creative direction, and spatial design for various environments. His work has won several awards including the top prize at the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards, Gold at the Sky Design Awards and IDA Design Awards, and recognition from the iF Design Award and more. He has also received Japanese design awards.

Award Record

Akitoshi Imafuku is a winner of 4 A' Design Awards, including this recognition. The awards were granted between the 2016 - 2017 and the 2019 - 2020 editions of the A' Design Award & Competition.

About the A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award

The A' Interior Design Award is an international interior design competition recognizing good interior designs by interior designers and architects worldwide. It is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to interior designers, interior architects, architects and decorators from all countries. Typical entries include residential interiors, restaurants, hotels, offices, galleries and retail stores. The awarded interior designs are published at https://dezigners.org/design-category/interior

About A' Design Award & Competition

Organized annually since 2008, A' Design Award & Competition is an international, juried design accolade. The competition is open to entries from all countries. The philanthropic mission of the A' Design Award is to advance society through good design, by recognizing and promoting superior products, projects and services that benefit society, and by creating a global awareness and appreciation for good design practices and principles. Nominations are peer reviewed and evaluated anonymously by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members against predetermined criteria such as functionality, ergonomics, engineering, presentation, innovation, usability, sustainability and technology, with score normalization applied to remove biases. Awards are conferred at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron levels. Eligible laureates receive the A' Design Prize, which includes the award trophy, the certificate of design excellence, the hardcover yearbook, a lifetime license to use the A' Design Award winner logo, exhibition of awarded works, an invitation to the gala night and award ceremony in Italy, inclusion in the World Design Rankings and Designer Rankings, and public relations and publicity services. Registration, uploading a work and receiving a preliminary score are free of charge, and Professional and Digital Edition laureates are not contractually obliged to pay further fees to claim the A' Design Prize. More information is available at https://competition.adesignaward.com

Press Resources

Media Contact

Giulia Ferrari, Press Office
Designers.Org
Via Leone Leoni 32, 22100 Como, Italy
press@designers.org
+39 031 4491953

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Fact Sheet

The Work

Project
TOKI to TOKI Japanese Traditional Hotel
Function
Japanese Traditional Hotel
Category
Interior Space and Exhibition Design
Discipline
Spatial Design
Industry
Architecture and Packaging & Retail
Colors
Black, Dark Slate Gray, Dark Olive Green and Dim Gray
Images
5
Client
SUMIHEI Annex TOKI to TOKI

The Recognition

Laureate
Akitoshi Imafuku
Country
Japan
Recognition
A' Design Award
Edition
2019 - 2020
Design ID
#102263

Credits

Team
Akitoshi Imafuku, Designer: Kenken Murakami, Lighting Designer: Masanobu Takeishi (Illumination of City Environment, Ltd.), Kimono Textile: SANSAI, Special Art: Art Stock, Special Art: r inc., Graphic Design: Yuki Ueji, Construction: Solid, and Client: Mikio Nakae (SUMIHEI)
Image Credits
Photographer: Daisuke Shima (ad hoc inc.)

Design Details

Unique Properties
This traditional Japanese hotel “ryokan” is perfectly located in the central of Kinosaki onsen district near the station. Even though it is newly opened, this ryokan stands beautifully along the river as it had been there for long time. TOKI to TOKI in Chinese characters means “season and time” and we wish that this hotel will be the place for the guests to simply enjoy changes of the season while time passing slowly. The lobby on the first floor is a free space with self-service food space where guests can enjoy the delicious food and communication with other guests.
Inspiration
The design concept was “miyabi” which means Japanese elegance. It seems loud but there is a refined sense embedded in the design. As we design, we came to understand “miyabi” we want to express in our design is the pomp and the fine quality that can elevate our mind.
Project Duration and Location
The project started in August 1, 2019 and finished in December 29, 2019 in Kinosaki, Hyogo.
Keywords
Japanese traditional hotel, Ryokan, Onsen, Hot Spring

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