Tomu's Inspirational Journey to Japan: New Trends in Hospitality Design and Sustainability
Our journey through Japan provided us with invaluable insights and inspiration, shaping the future of Tomu's modular building systems for hospitality development.
In the dynamic world of hospitality development, Tomu's commitment to innovation is unwavering. Our Product Team recently embarked on an enlightening journey to Japan, a country renowned for its unique blend of tradition and innovation, to delve deeper into sustainable design, modular architecture, and modern hospitality trends.
Here’s a quick recap of our journey, highlighting our discoveries and the valuable insights we gained.
Exploring the New Wave of Japanese Hospitality
Our team had the privilege of visiting some of the most recent additions to Japan's hospitality scene, including Roku Kyoto, LXR Hotels & Resorts by Hilton (opened in 2021), Aman Kyoto (opened in 2019), Ace Kyoto (opened in 2020), The Thousand Kyoto (opened in 2019), and Park Hyatt Kyoto (opened in 2019). These hotels, each with their unique design attributes, offered us a wealth of inspiration.
Japanese hotel rooms, while catering to Western tourists, subtly incorporate elements of Japanese culture. We observed dedicated spaces for changing from outdoor shoes to indoor slippers, separate toilet areas equipped with high-tech Japanese toilets, and a combined bathtub and shower area designed as a full wet room. The furniture was slightly lower than typical Western furniture, and the room layouts prioritized relaxation over work productivity. These subtle design elements, while not revolutionary, contribute to a unique and memorable guest experience.
Meeting with the Masters of Japanese Architecture
One of the highlights of our trip was our visit to the office of Kengo Kuma and Associates, a globally recognized architectural firm known for its innovative and sustainable designs. Kengo Kuma himself, a figure synonymous with harmonious, nature-inspired architecture, graciously signed a copy of his book for our team. The visit to his office, overlooking some of his signature projects, was an unforgettable experience.
Aligning Tomu's Villa Collection with Japanese Design
Our journey through Japan revealed a striking similarity between Tomu's Villa Collection designs and Japanese aesthetics. We aim to integrate these elements, such as natural light, neutral palettes, large spa-inspired bathrooms, and smart use of space, into our modular hotel and vacation rental offerings. We were particularly inspired by traditional Japanese carpentry, which avoids nails and instead uses joinery to secure buildings. This approach underscores Japan's commitment to sustainable and innovative design, aligning perfectly with Tomu's modular building systems.
The Future of Tomu's Design
Our team returned from Japan with a renewed sense of purpose and a wealth of inspiration. We're eager to apply the knowledge and insights from our trip to our ongoing work. We'll continue to iterate on our Tomu Villa Collection, experimenting with new palettes and materials to create even more compelling and sustainable modular hotel and vacation rental solutions for the travel and lodging industry.
Our journey to Japan was more than just a trip; it was an opportunity to immerse ourselves in a culture that values both tradition and innovation, elements that we strive to incorporate into our designs. We believe that by understanding and embracing different cultures, we can create products that are not only inclusive but also at the forefront of design trends.
Learn more about Tomu’s Villa Collection and modular building system ▸