Extravagant simplicity – new Osaka hotel draws on diverse city themes

Designed by Dutch architects Concrete

From the architects:

The busy urban streetscape of Osaka welcomes Concrete's latest interior project: W’s first hotel in Japan. With a total of 337 guest rooms and suites, W Osaka asserts its presence with a 27-storey high-rise building by Nikken and a black monolith facade designed by Tadao Ando.

The hotel was created for Sekisui House and Marriott International, in collaboration with Nikken an Nikken Space Design. 

Storytelling: 'extravagant simplicity'

Concrete’s team of Dutch designers explored Osaka’s past, present, and future, its urban and natural landscapes, and its fascinating culture.

Visually, they discovered that Osaka is water and nature – but also neon and bright colours. Concrete was also struck by the contrast between the aesthetic of Japanese minimalism and the extravagance of an urban world saturated with colours. 

This was especially the case in downtown Osaka and Dotonbori – Osaka’s nightlife district – where the display of flashing neon is breathtakingly vivid and joyful.

The goal is to share the spirit of the city with the guests of W Osaka and let the interior of the hotel tell a story that is truly Osaka, essentially celebrating the opposing – yet complementary – forces of extravagance and simplicity.

The sprawling metropolis of Osaka was once the imperial capital of Japan and the country’s economic hub. At its heart, the wide Yodo River flows into a harbour bustling with trade.

Throughout its history, visitors contributed their cultures and technologies to this city – creating a prosperous port with an extroverted, lively, and somewhat rebellious culture.

All of this energy attracts international businesses and visitors and therefore is represented in this design.

Designed by: Concrete

Story by: Trendsideas

Photography by: Concrete