Japanese capsule hotels have such a specific interior layout that it's really hard to do anything with them when they go out of business, plus these days the hotel business is all about luxury and comfort, which makes capsule hotels an even harder sell.
Many owners choose to renovate the property rather than sell, and when hotel company Nine Hours decided to renovate their outdated capsule hotel they hired Jo Nagasaka's Schemata Architects, who transformed it into a warm, wooden oasis.
Since capsule hotels are stereotypically known for having saunas Schemata felt like including these beautiful wooden saunas on two of the eight floors would give the Do-C (or ℃) a classic feel while giving them the luxurious amenities they're looking for.
And since the capsules themselves had to stay Schemata used their original color scheme as inspiration for the entire place, going with a clean, natural wood feel throughout:
“The color of the existing capsules—an old-fashioned beige reminiscent of the retro design period—was rather difficult to handle,” the firm writes. “But we intentionally used it as a base color for the interior to eradicate the impression of the existing capsules.”
To complement the capsules, Schemata Architects filled the eight-story hotel with subtle finishes that bring out the warmth of the space. This meant installing plywood cabinetry and shelving, dark concrete floors, and clear FPR (fiber reinforced plastic) in specific areas of the hotel interior. The result is woodsy, yet industrial, providing visitors with a mix of clean lines and retro finishes.