This article was originally published on Domus 1042, January 2020

In one of Kyoto’s most traditional quarters, the Suiden-ann guesthouse was born from the need of the owner – a gallerist and scuba diving instructor – to offer a place of hospitality for his guests, mainly foreigners.

Alphaville Architects took up the challenge by designing a sui generis capsule hotel that combines private and semi-public spaces, joining resting places in different ways to create convivial areas.

The actual capsules are grouped together on the upper level, but were conceived mainly as a place for resting or socialising, as if they were buildings around a single courtyard.