© Katsumasa Tanaka
Guests who visit the Shiroiya Hotel in the Japanese industrial city of Maebashi are offered the choice of sleeping in a dramatically gutted post-war building or beneath a grass-covered artificial hill. Designed by Sou Fujimoto Architects, this ensemble made up of two completely different parts is seen as a contribution
to revitalising this city with a population of 330 000 that lies about 100 km north-west of Tokyo. At the same time the luxuriantly planted part known as the Green Tower mediates between the higher entrance level of the hotel
on the south side and the northern end of the site. As the banks of a small river, which was built over many years ago, were once located at this northern end, the site here is a storey lower than the entrance level.
to revitalising this city with a population of 330 000 that lies about 100 km north-west of Tokyo. At the same time the luxuriantly planted part known as the Green Tower mediates between the higher entrance level of the hotel
on the south side and the northern end of the site. As the banks of a small river, which was built over many years ago, were once located at this northern end, the site here is a storey lower than the entrance level.