Yasuyuki KAWANISHI + ICHIBANSEN / nextstations
​川西 康之 + 株式会社イチバンセン 一級建築士事務所 / ネクストステーションズ

Albergo Diffuso is a dispersed accommodation concept that originated in Italy, where the entire town is envisioned as a single hotel. Guest rooms, dining spaces, and reception areas are scattered throughout the town, allowing visitors to stay not merely as tourists but as temporary residents immersed in the local life. By utilizing vacant houses and historic buildings, the system preserves regional landscapes and culture while fostering new forms of vitality.

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The exterior design preserves the traditional appearance of the former castle town by maintaining the roof and façade details of the original structure. In contrast, the interior highlights the timber framework typical of machiya townhouses, revealing the beauty of the structural elements.

To reflect the Albergo Diffuso concept of revitalizing the town’s atmosphere, part of the building—previously with almost no frontage or outdoor space—was reconfigured into a semi-outdoor area facing the street. This approach addresses the challenge of the narrow frontage, where interior activity was difficult to perceive from the outside. By introducing a semi-outdoor entrance that draws people inward, the design creates a spatial flow that connects the vibrancy of the interior with the street outside.

On the first floor, a counter-style dining area extends from the interior to the semi-outdoor zone, allowing guests to enjoy meals while interacting with the staff. On the second floor, the ceiling height was raised along the existing sloped beams to enhance the sense of openness within the traditional machiya volume. Wherever possible, original elements such as the wooden windows were preserved, while new additions were designed with coordinated tones and materials to harmonize with—and subtly emphasize—the building’s historic character.