Stanley Covington
05-21-2017, 5:42 AM
I seldom post pictures of work I do professionally. Non-disclosure agreements get in the way. But I had the opportunity to visit the Four Seasons Hotel, Kyoto, a project I worked on a few years ago as a team member of the design/build general contractor, Taisei Corporation. I am no longer employed by Taisei, and without the NDA restrictions getting in the way, I was able to take some pictures you might enjoy.
I will need to break this into two posts.
For around 800 years, the site was the home of feudal lords, most notably the ultra-famous Taira clan know from the Heikei Monogatari. Taira no Kiyomori, perhaps the most famous of the bunch, is said to have built the pond. It is the only remnant of those days, and is registered as a historic site, a designation it deserves, but which makes it difficult and expensive to dance heavy equipment around on a tight jobsite, if you know what I mean. The Kyoto folks are very protective of old stuff.
When I got involved it was a hospital owned by Japan Tobacco. Specialized in lung cancer, I suppose. Good riddance to an ugly building.
While it is a beautiful hotel with some very interesting features, it is an interpretation of Japanese architecture, updated to modern times, by a Japanese commercial architect (Kume) directed by Canadians. I think they could have done a better job of the exterior elevations and roof profiles, considering the neighborhood. Oh well.
The cheapest guestroom starts at around $500, and 90% of the guests are non-Japanese. The hotel business in Kyoto is booming, and the 4S is 100% reserved months in advance. At that rate, I suspect it will break even within 2-3 more years, which is phenomenal for the risky hotel business.
The teahouse, on the other hand, is an interesting adaptation for foreign customers. The setting is beautiful and the quality of the woodwork is superb. There are some great craftsmen in Kyoto.
I hope you enjoy the pictures.
Stan
360569360570360571360572360573
I will need to break this into two posts.
For around 800 years, the site was the home of feudal lords, most notably the ultra-famous Taira clan know from the Heikei Monogatari. Taira no Kiyomori, perhaps the most famous of the bunch, is said to have built the pond. It is the only remnant of those days, and is registered as a historic site, a designation it deserves, but which makes it difficult and expensive to dance heavy equipment around on a tight jobsite, if you know what I mean. The Kyoto folks are very protective of old stuff.
When I got involved it was a hospital owned by Japan Tobacco. Specialized in lung cancer, I suppose. Good riddance to an ugly building.
While it is a beautiful hotel with some very interesting features, it is an interpretation of Japanese architecture, updated to modern times, by a Japanese commercial architect (Kume) directed by Canadians. I think they could have done a better job of the exterior elevations and roof profiles, considering the neighborhood. Oh well.
The cheapest guestroom starts at around $500, and 90% of the guests are non-Japanese. The hotel business in Kyoto is booming, and the 4S is 100% reserved months in advance. At that rate, I suspect it will break even within 2-3 more years, which is phenomenal for the risky hotel business.
The teahouse, on the other hand, is an interesting adaptation for foreign customers. The setting is beautiful and the quality of the woodwork is superb. There are some great craftsmen in Kyoto.
I hope you enjoy the pictures.
Stan
360569360570360571360572360573