- Interior
- Architecture & development
Bellustar Tokyo is a hotel that wants to push the limits of what is possible. At a dazzling height of 200 metres, guests arrive in a whole different world. Several penthouses, different restaurants, exceptional views and a context of Japanse aesthetic: you have it all here. As counterpart to the world below, the concept offers a unique chance to escape for a brief time.
The collaboration between Norm Architects and Keiji Ashizawa Design ended up with this extraordinary result. By respectively combining an expertise in soft minimalism and a practiced habit in creating truthful design, the two parties were able to create something special together. Their intention was to bring to life a place where people can reinvent themselves and where there is no room for the outside chaos. For this reason, the assortment is strikingly big and luxurious. Five unseen penthouse suites, three restaurants, several bars, and a spa are far from all that the guests can enjoy. From the beginning, the architects and the designers agreed that the style of the project needed to exude a balance between the modern and the traditional. The underlying goal of this was nourishing an unshakeable serenity, which they accomplished by uniting authentic elements from the national culture with a high standard in contemporary comfort. Delicate textures and soft tones proved to be really important for this, as well as the high proportions and the awe-inspiring feeling that they evoke. 
Shinjuku, the area where the hotel is located, you should mainly picture with a lot of visual and auditory impulses. With this design, the makers want to let you experience the opposite. While the city life keeps on blossoming below, here up in the sky you have the chance to – literally and figuratively – watch everything from a distance and let the subdued nature of the address do its thing. With the many assets that the concept has to offer you, it is impossible to not stand still for a moment. In the restaurant, the ceiling of thirteen metres leaves an impression that you will not forget any time soon. Carefully selected furniture completes the interior palette. A noticeable thing is that the team paid much attention to the presence of shadows. While in many projects the focus mainly goes out to incorporating the entering daylight, this design is rather concerned with allowing shadows. This was not an arbitrary move, considering that the architects stated that shadow is an often-forgotten aspect that is certainly necessary to waken our senses. By searching for a good balance with light, an interior succeeds better in offering an entire sensory experience.
The five penthouses give the impression of really fusing with the sky
The five penthouses give the impression of really fusing with the sky. Again, the furnishing shows clear references to Japanese culture, without overdoing it, obviously. Windows of seven metres wide give you an amazing panorama of the city. A fun fact is that the units do exhibit subtle differences. By handling colours, materials, wall plastering, textiles, and penthouses in numerous ways, the designers present penthouses that each have their own nuances and shades. At the same time, at each moment and in every place the hotel feels like a cohesive whole that consists of seamless transitions. Next to this there is the so-called Sunset Lounge, meant as a common area to relax and look for social interaction. Drinking a cup of coffee, reading a book, enjoying the view of the horizon: there are many calm activities that you can pursue here.
With Bellustar Tokyo, Norm Architects and Keiji Ashizawa Design envisioned a hotel like there are no two. The pioneering size of the project ensures that it sets itself apart clearly in both portfolios. It is evident that the concept is so much more than a mere stay. By temporarily excluding the world below, guests get closer to themselves than ever. 

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Photography by Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen & Nacása & Partners Inc.