10 STORIES STAY UONUMA

xThis project, “10 STORIES STAY UONUMA,” is a renovation of a complex (guest house + Jiyujin’s main office + bathing facility) surrounded by the abundant nature of Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture. Our company was in charge of designing the hot spring wing. The hot spring wing, covering an area of approximately 300 square meters (excluding mechanical rooms and backyards), features facilities designed primarily for enjoying saunas. These include an auto löyly sauna room, a steam sauna room, two cold baths, a natural hot spring bath, washing areas, a relaxation area, and an outdoor bath.

When I first visited the project site, I was struck by the gentle sensation of being “embraced” by the landscape, surrounded by mountains under the expansive sky. When humans experience a sense of being embraced, akin to merging with something greater, they feel a deep sense of security and healing from within. For this project, we aimed to create a space that fosters such a feeling of being embraced by incorporating the rich surrounding natural elements into the bathing spaces, enhancing the healing of both mind and body. The design concept we established is “Embraced Bathing Space.” In each part of the facility, natural elements such as “sky,” “light and shadow,” “scenery,” and “steam” are incorporated as structural components of the space. By unifying these elements, the feeling of being embraced is cultivated.

The outdoor bath is a place where one is embraced by the “sky.” The sky, framed by privacy walls, envelops the people who visit. During the day, visitors can gaze at the blue sky and drifting clouds, while at night, they can experience the star-filled sky, creating a sense of unity with the heavens.

In the bathing room, one can enjoy the sensation of being embraced by “light and shadow.” During the day, the room is bathed in natural sunlight and reflected light, while at night, a calm, dimly-lit environment makes one feel as though they are merging with the darkness. Wooden latticework installed at the openings emphasizes the contrast and transition of “light and shadow,” creating a mechanism to incorporate light as a material of the space.

In the sauna room, the goal was to achieve unity with the “scenery.” Through structural considerations, new openings were introduced, allowing the outdoor scenery to extend into the space, creating a visual connection with nature even while indoors. This visual expanse enriches the sauna experience, fostering a sense of liberation and refreshing both body and mind.

The steam sauna room is a space embraced by “steam.” Within the dimly-lit, ethereal atmosphere, visitors are enveloped by steam that seems to float in the light. This mist-like steam creates a space designed to connect deeply with one’s inner consciousness through the medium of “steam.”