NOT A HOTEL

NOT A HOTEL YAKUSHIMA

Jean Nouvel

Assistant to the architect Claude Parent and inspired by urban planner and essayist Paul Virilio, he started his first architecture practice in 1970. Soon afterwards, he became a founding member of the French Architecture Union and co-created the "Mars 1976" Movement whose purpose was to oppose the architects' corporatism. The constant originality of his projects worldwide has helped build his international reputation. With a contextual approach, he designs buildings that leave a lasting mark on the cities where they are created. These include the Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain (Paris), the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the 53W53 tower (New York), the Museum of art Pudong (Shanghai) and the Duo towers (Paris). His works have gained world-wide recognition through numerous reward, including the Golden Lion of the Venice Biennale (2000), the Royal Gold Medal of the Royal Institute of British Architects (2001), the Praemium Imperial of Japan's Fine Arts Association (2001), the Borromini Prize for the Culture and Conference Center in Lucerne (2001), and the prestigious Pritzker Prize (2008).

NOT A HOTEL TOKYO

NIGO

NIGO® is a fashion designer and creative director. He founded his own clothing brand in 1993, which gained immense popularity around the world and laid the foundation for the "street fashion" scene that continues to this day. In 2010, he launched a new brand HUMAN MADE. In addition to serving as creative director for other companies, NIGO has been active in various fields from music to food and beverage. In September 2021, he was appointed artistic director of the Parisian fashion brand KENZO, and he has presented collections three times with LOUIS VUITTON—in 2020, 2021, and 2025.

NOT A HOTEL RUSUTSU

Richard Wood

Richard Wood is Managing Director for Snøhetta Asia, based in Hong Kong. He has been living and working in the region since 2012, designing and coordinating large public and institutional buildings and urban planning projects throughout. Recently Richard has played a key role on the Tokyo Shibuya Upper West Project amongst others in Japan. Richard was educated at the Bartlett, University College London, and is a member of the Royal British Institute of Architects.

NOT A HOTEL RUSUTSU

Ana Patricia Castaingts Gómez

Ana currently leads Snøhetta's interior design discipline in Asia, based in the Hong Kong office. Her academic background in Mexico and Argentina has shaped her diverse perspective on design, evident in her work across various project types. Since relocating to Asia in 2013, Ana has established herself as a prominent interior architect in the region, earning recognition for her work. She emphasizes collaborative and sustainable design practices, integrating social considerations and sustainable materials into Snøhetta's projects in Asia.