Tokyo's Hotel do-c Gotanda designed by Schemata Architects is a bold architectural statement that juxtaposes the raw, unfinished interiors with the preserved remnants of a Showa-era capsule hotel.

Nestled in Tokyo's red-light district, the hotel juxtaposes its gritty surroundings with an interior design that is both stripped-down and meticulous. The renovation honors the building's history as a former capsule hotel, retaining the existing units while reimagining the space as a series of architectural "caves." These carved-out spaces evoke a primal sense of shelter and exploration, a stark contrast to the chaotic urban environment just outside.

The architects' decision to preserve the post-demolition state of the interior plays with the notion of incompleteness, turning the space’s unfinished quality into a key design feature. The basement, once a public bath, has been transformed into a sauna and shower room where the remnants of the old structure serve as an organic guide to the new layout. The sauna, with its high ceilings and stepped flooring, offers a spatial experience that is as much about the ritual of bathing as it is about the architecture itself. The “Warm pillar” installations enhance this sensory journey, providing a tactile counterpoint to the otherwise austere setting.

The guestrooms maintain the retro charm of their original design, yet the removal of old wallpaper and the exposure of unfinished walls bring a contemporary edge to the space. This decision not only breathes new life into the outdated Showa-era aesthetic but also reinforces the hotel’s underlying theme of contrast. The interplay between the retained capsule units and the newly exposed structural elements creates a dialogue between past and present, offering a nuanced commentary on the evolution of urban living spaces in Tokyo.