ARCHITECTURE SPOTLIGHT (view all)

Red Brick Renaissance: 1908 Nara Prison Revives as Hoshino’s 48-Room Heritage Hotel

On a sprawling 25-acre site in Nara, Japan, the historic red brick walls and radiating cell blocks of a 1908 prison now house the elegant HOSHINOYA Nara Prison hotel. This unique 48-room destination, opened by Hoshino Resorts, combines modern luxury with historical architecture, offering a rare glimpse into Meiji-era design. The project, first announced in June 2022 and detailed in...

Historical Meiji-Era building in Nara surrounded by trees.

UID Architects Revolutionizes Family Living with Plywood Web Design in Fukuyama

Ingenious design inspired by spiderwebs In Fukuyama, Japan, UID Architects has crafted a home that draws inspiration from the geometry of spider webs. This unique octagonal timber structure is set at a strategic 45-degree angle across its sloping suburban plot. The architectural marvel is topped by a striking roof where beams converge at a central glazed oculus, bathing the interiors...

Modern living room with large windows and plywood accents.