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nottuo Inc. won the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD 2023

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nottuo Inc. (Headquarters: Nishiawakura Village, Okayama Prefecture, Representative Director: Kohei Suzuki) has received the iF DESIGN AWARD 2023, one of the world’s most prestigious international design awards, in the commercial facilities category for its branding design and architectural design of “Naoshima Ryokan Rokasumi” (sponsored by iF International Forum Design GmbH).

The “Naoshima Ryokan Roka” project, undertaken over three years with clients and partner companies under the slogan “Let’s create a Japanese inn in Naoshima that we can be proud of globally,” has received its third international design award, following Japan’s Good Design Award 2022 and Asia’s DFA Design for Asia Awards 2022.

Having received the iF DESIGN AWARD 2023, which started in Germany in 1953, the birthplace of modern design represented by Bauhaus and known as the “Oscars of the design world,” the inn’s concept, design, and service have been recognized globally, both domestically and internationally.

Award Category
Retail / Hospitality Architecture Category

iF DESIGN AWARD 2023
List of All Award Winners
https://ifdesign.com/en/winner-ranking/winner-overview/?awardId=2&sort=desc&yearId=0

Naoshima Ryokan Roka Award Page
https://ifdesign.com/en/winner-ranking/project/naoshima-ryokan-roka/577804

Comments on the Award
I am very pleased that we have been able to receive such a prestigious international design award, following our successes in Japan and Asia.

As nottuo aims to reach the world from the countryside, this award proves that the designs we create together with our clients are of world-class quality and that we can produce designs that reach the world even from rural areas.

Recently, “Roka” has become popular with guests from all over the world, and I hope this award will help introduce it to even more new guests.

To all the project members, we did it!

(Kohei Suzuki, Representative Director and CCO of nottuo Inc.)

Client: A&C Inc.
Creative Direction: Kohei Suzuki / nottuo Inc.
Architectural Design: Daisuke Fujioka / nottuo Inc. & ARCHIF
Design: Kohei Suzuki & Yuka Taniguchi


About iF DESIGN AWARD

Since 1954, the iF Design Award has been recognized as one of the most prestigious international design awards, and the iF logo is widely acknowledged as a symbol of excellent design.

Based in Hanover, Germany, iF International Forum Design is the world’s longest-standing independent design organization, selecting outstanding designs each year and presenting them with the iF Design Award.

The award is composed of nine categories: “Product,” “Packaging,” “Communication,” “Service Design,” “Architecture,” “Interior Architecture,” “Professional Concept,” “UX (User Experience),” and “UI (User Interface).” A panel of 133 design experts rigorously reviews 11,000 entries from 56 countries/regions.

All winning designs are showcased at www.ifdesign.com.


About Roka Naoshima Ryokan

A Japanese Inn Offering Encounters with Contemporary Art

Naoshima Ryokan Roka is set to open in a prime location, just a 5-minute walk from the central area lined with Naoshima’s “Art House Project.”

This authentic Japanese inn will feature 11 rooms, including eight suites with private open-air baths, two premium suites, and one Roka suite.

Guests will enjoy sushi kaiseki meals centered around seasonal Setouchi fish and local ingredients, while the private open-air baths will feature concentrated and reconstituted hot spring water from Yunogo Onsen in Okayama. The inn will also offer various eco-friendly amenities, creating a relaxing stay.

The inn will showcase works by young contemporary Japanese artists throughout the premises, and each guest room will display and sell original works by “Featured Artists” that change every six months.

Naoshima Ryokan Roka aims to become a hub for Japanese contemporary art, offering art fans from across Japan and around the world unique encounters with art and artists, fostering conversations among art enthusiasts, and providing a distinct experience from the Setouchi Triennale.

『直島旅館ろ霞』概要

名称:直島旅館ろ霞
住所:〒761-3110 香川県香川郡直島町1234
開業:2022年4月14日
定休日:不定休(館内メンテナンス日)
URL:https://roka.voyage

Photo: Kenji Kudo