Designed to fit seamlessly into the vibrant spirit of the Japanese Oku-shibu district, the new TRUNK(HOTEL) YOYOGI PARK boasts a relaxed, human-centered ethos. While aesthetic choices harmoniously reflect the laid-back, yet sophisticated, vibe of the neighborhood, the concept of ‘Urban Recharge’ is at the heart of the project – a pivotal theme weaving together the city and nature, tradition and modernity, leisure and festivity, as well as the local community and valued visitors.

Drawing inspiration from Tokyo’s varied hues and moods, the project encapsulates the interplay of contrasting yet harmonious elements. It mirrors the vibrant Yoyogi Park, the surrounding city blocks, and the famed Shibuya Crossing. It’s the epitome of modern and traditional lifestyles converging. From the raw and refined to the melding of Japanese and European craft traditions, the design embodies this delicate balance. The verdant embrace not only enriches the exterior aesthetics but also symbolizes the commitment to offering a sanctuary amidst the city’s bustling energy. So, as you wander through this retreat, you’ll discover a place to find both solace and stimulation, forging a path to enduring vitality.

Keiji Ashizawa Design has overseen the architecture and interior design throughout, working closely with the TRUNK team, while Norm Architects has been engaged to support the interior design of the hotel. Now, drawing upon the extensive expertise of its collaborators, TRUNK(HOTEL) YOYOGI PARK presents a hybrid of global design expertise, with each team sharing common values and a holistic approach to the fields of interiors, architecture, and design.

As a boutique hotel residence, restaurant, café, concept store, material library, work and event space, The Audo is an ever-changing yet always welcoming home for international creative individuals to collaborate, experiment and inspire one-another.

Approaching the project with great respect for the former merchant’s building in Nordhavn – an area once dedicated to fishing and shipping and now characterized by newly erupted high rises, harbour front stores, cafés and public harbour baths all making Nordhavn a highly coveted neighbourhood in Copenhagen – the building’s neo-baroque façade from 1918 was preserved, while the interior has been completely restored and now resembles that of a collector’s home with curated art and design showcased throughout the space.

The exterior of the building has historical references to a period of time when buildings in Copenhagen were inspired by Greek and Roman architecture, entering the early dawn of modernism, while the inside was a rational and industrial concrete structure that allowed us to transform the building rather freely. It is always a challenge to refurbish such a building, as the demands of services needed are completely different from the original purpose and period of time in which the building came to be.

The Audo operates from the belief that knowledge-sharing drives creativity, builds healthier communities and can lead to higher quality work.

Tucked away on the top floor, the Audo Residence is a 10-room hotel that offers understated and intimate loft-style retreats – each suite offering its guests a unique stay. These abundant rooms help you feel right at home with carefully curated products and works of art including bespoke furniture, books, ceramics and home accessories. Choose your favorite colour story and sleep in a cosy yet spacious room under the exposed wooden beams that recall the rich history of the building.

The Audo Restaurant is the heart of our community. The casual, all-day eatery offers a selection of seasonal dishes made from local, organic ingredients. We welcome you to enjoy a freshly brewed coffee or a bite to eat, alone or in the company of likeminded individuals, in the thoughtfully furnished space.

The Audo Concept Shop is a monobrand store that offers Audo Copenhagen furniture, lighting and interior objects. Step inside to discover the different moments of life through a series of inspiring and intimate spaces created to put in practice the everyday beauty and function of classic and contemporary design. Much more than great design, it is also a space where design meets community – and where the true meaning of how we relate to objects and one another comes to light in a physical space

Working on the identity of the space and concept, Norm have been drawing on traditional norms of good design in order to connect the refined, modern interiors with the history of the building.

The Audo Residence is your home away from home. Here, we welcome you to unwind with all the comforts of home, surrounded by curated artworks, warm furnishings by Audo Copenhagen and thoughtful amenities.

“The building stands as a holistic house where the visitor will find that all functions are connected throughout the spaces and material palettes.”
– Peter Eland

Staying at the high-end BELLUSTAR Penthouse is an otherworldly experience, allowing you to escape from everyday life. From the moment you step out into the topmost floors, you are immersed in a sense of calm. The subtle decor, soft furnishings, and attention to detail create an atmosphere that exudes sophistication and refinement. Each suite is designed to provide the ultimate leisure experience with breathtaking views of the bustling city that surround the hotel. All facilities are nothing short of exceptional. From the Spa Sunya to the Sunset Lounge and exclusive Teppanyaki Restaurant, every corner of the hotel is a testament to luxury and elegance. Bellustar Penthouse is not just a place to stay; it’s an escape, a retreat, and a sanctuary amid the bustling city.

As the most luxurious location in the Tokyu Kabukicho Tower, the main dining area has a three-story atrium space with an unbroken view of the Tokyo skyline. Window seats create the impression of truly blending in with the view, while the opposite four-seaters feel slightly more private as pendant lights designed bespoke by Keiji Ashizawa hover above each table. The space is elegantly furnished with minimalist bespoke designs from Karimoku exuding timeless beauty and with just 36 seats, the space feels both intimate and grand.

The use of organic forms and natural materials like wood and stone can be seen as an antidote to the city that serve as artworks through the grand windows. Listening to nature’s story of artistry, optimism, imperfection, and impermanence, we wanted to bring these poignant qualities into the work to create a space that feel of this world. Deciding to decorate the walls with custom-made tiles from Japan in a distinct proportion as well as soft cell panels for acoustics, we then chose the colors of the flooring and furniture to match the tiles to create a coherent space that feels calm. In this way, we have focused on bringing natural elements and their inevitable patina into our modernized lives which can remind us of our place in nature and create an exclusive calming effect.

The five penthouses stretching across the skyscape seem to melt into the sky amidst the dynamism of a 200-meter altitude and as you check into your room, you are greeted with a sense of calm. You’ll find it that traditional Japanese culture is woven into the interior aesthetic, while windows about seven meters wide offer an amazing panorama of Tokyo spread out before you.

Inspired by the beauty of the four seasons in Japan, each penthouse is named after a different element of the term ”Kacho Fuugetsu” – Flower, Bird, Wind, and Moon – a unified world-view manifests across the five penthouses with each their own individual tranquil and unique atmosphere. The entire floor is furnished with Karimoku furniture with design work by Keiji Ashizawa Design and Norm Architects, actualizing a timeless space by adding pleasant furniture and the natural warmth and comfort of the house.

Although we have worked to create a fine balance and clear connectivity between the different spaces of the top floors of BELLUSTAR TOKYO, each space also has its own character and small differences. Some are designed to feel warm, dark and intimate, while others are designed to feel open, airy and light. Both atmospheres are important to the human psyche and are implemented where it makes sense. The differences of the spaces and areas are subtle – it can be small changes in colors, materials, wall plastering, fabrics and artworks that gives each room its own unique features, while moving from one area of the hotel to another feels like a seamless and natural journey.

The palettes we choose to live with immensely affect our mood, and researchers across disciplines agree that natural materials offer the most meaningful physiological encounters. With this mindset, we find ourselves returning to primal neutral colors, originating in nature, which have marinated in meaning for millennia and are thus universal, timeless, and arguably ideal for mental health. While the preferred palette is restrained to soft beige, brown, and gray, each context inspires a different hue selection and combination; specific tones and levels of vibrancy that resonate with that place.

The ”Sora” (sky) suite is the only suite that comes fully equipped with a private room for experiencing the SPA Sunya. Removing unnecessary clutter within the space, we allow for the inherent qualities of the selected natural materials to become ever more present and create a calm atmosphere that resonates with the guests on a deeper level.

”Tori” (bird) is a 186 sqm maisonette format room, featuring incredibly spacious living rooms with atrium cutaways. The bedroom and living room spaces are on separate floors for a comfortable flow within. The N-S02 table has been designed by Norm Architects for Karimoku specifically for the room in order to create a seamless transition to the sofa beside it.

Perched high above Tokyo on the 47th floor, SPA Sunya is more than just a place to indulge in the various treatments on offer. Taking its name from Sanskrit word for sky, the spa is a tranquil place for immersion and relaxation. The treatments themselves reflect Japan’s reverence for nature and its healing power. Each season brings a new menu of personalized treatments that incorporate the blessings of the earth from all over Japan. From the moment you enter, you will be enveloped in soothing scents, gentle sounds, and warm light that stimulate all of your senses and energize both your mind and body.

The four private treatment rooms as well as the spa lounge are designed as a secluded escape from the hustle and bustle of the city below. In a collaboration between Keiji Ashizawa Design, Norm Architects, and Japanese Hotta Carpet, we set out to create a series of custom-made carpets for the spa as well as the bar and hallways. Designed in both a dark and light version, the carpets create a pattern and design that is on the one hand subtle and understated, and on the other is distinct and full of expression. Not only does the use of wall-to-wall carpets have visual impact on the space, but it also enhances the acoustic and haptic qualities, which are often overlooked in interiors.

The idea behind the Sunset Lounge was to create a comfortable communal space for the residents of the five penthouse suites. A place where there was the possibility just outside the door of your private sanctuary to socialize, sit down with a drink, a good cup of coffee or a book, while enjoying the play of the sun on the rendered walls of the double height space as it sets on the horizon of the city and the great Mount Fuji, creating ever-changing artworks of light and shadow in the space.

Working closely with the talented stylist Yumi Nakata, who has handpicked pieces from an array of Japanese craftsmen, the space is now layered with eclectic furniture, unique objects, and interesting art pieces to create an atmosphere that resembles a private apartment with the hope that the experience of traveling can bring a sense of wellbeing, both through the exuberance of the city and the quietness of a home.

As the sun slowly dips below the Tokyo skyline, the BELLUSTAR Penthouse beckons you to indulge in the exquisite flavors of Japan at its luxurious restaurants. In addition to the main restaurant, the penthouse area boasts two intimate restaurants: a Sushi and a Teppanyaki venue. Both tucked away in the sky above the city, these culinary treasures offer a unique and unforgettable experience. Designed to feel like small hidden and intimate traditional city restaurants but transformed into contemporary places hovering above Tokyo, the two restaurants put the guests in close contact with the chefs at work. Whether you prefer a private dining experience or to share it with a small group, each restaurant promises to take you on a singular and astounding journey of the senses.

With each their own character and material palette, the two restaurants make for singular and astounding experiences. At the sushi restaurant, the space is bathed in the soft glow of Hinoki wood, while the Teppanyaki “Tenyu” Restaurant feels even more intimate and moody with its dark brick walls adorned in intricate patterns.

The partly underground Michelin-starred restaurant with a spectacular glasshouse entrance in the middle of the lush field is designed by Norm Architects and furnished by Japanese Karimoku to create a stimulating interplay between architecture, food, wine, interiors, and art that makes for a balanced and harmonious 19 course haute-cuisine experience.

The experience of ÄNG starts even before you step inside – walking through the lush meadow with crops and grasses on both sides of the winding pathway leading guests to the sparkling glasshouse that stands as a modern and refined interpretation of a greenhouse turned inside out. Having the iron structure on the inside, it stands like a prism in the middle of the field; Utterly sharp and smooth, mirroring the surroundings.
Closing in on the glass house, a small herb garden out front discloses the local touch and approach to the culinary experience you’re about to have. A protective hedge reveals a limited glimpse of a nearby lake but allows you to maintain focus right where you are.

The ground floor and heart of the restaurant is a grounded, welcoming space; industrial and elegant, with subtle contrasts in the quality custom woodwork, Danish design classics, industrial elements, natural stone table top and bar in blackened steel. Upon entering the ground floor of the restaurant, you’re drawn to the sculptural leather sofas, perfect for visitors paying the restaurant a brief visit, having cocktails or waiting for a table – perfectly placed by the windows to encourage interaction with the street life of Chelsea.

As you enter the 1st floor you’re met by a bright and sophisticated space, conveyed by the oak tabletops, chairs, partition panel walls and open plan of the floor. A combination that invites an intimate seating without loosing the feeling of being in a lovely bustling environment.
Light, transparant textiles divide the space and make up translucent, light-bearing elements when they’re lit up at night.

Carl Hansen chairs accompany the bespoke tables throughout the restaurant as a reference to the timeless Danish design heritage, quality woodwork and craftsmanship. Also the custom-made banquette seating embodies that soft feel, inviting guests to engage in the intimate settings.

Entering the new BASAO Tea Lounge in Xiamen, China, one senses an instant change in pace, when the bustling cityscape is replaced by a calming acoustic. As natural light filters through from the outside and highlights the subtle colours and rich textures of the carefully selected materials, the space feels warm and welcoming. Just like the many scents of tea are vibrant and natural, so are the materials that make up the store, and combined with a subtle storytelling as well as a curated architectural framing, the space feels rooted in its local surroundings.

Taking inspiration from the writings of Baisao, a Japanese monk of the Ōbaku School of Zen Buddhism, who became famous for traveling around Kyoto selling tea – and from whom BASAO took their name – we have created a multifunctional tea store in the streets of Xiamen. With room for quiet contemplation, the space is a clear antidote to the fast paced on-the-go culture, instead immersing its visitors in the calming sounds of tea being prepared, poured, and enjoyed.

Sensing the purity of tea and its close relationship to nature is best portrayed using natural materials. The inherent colours and tactual sensation found in the chosen terracotta tiles, Chinese stone, oak wood, metals, and fabrics are both highlighted and toned down when combined with each other and bring an authenticity to the space that is unmatched by artificial materials and paints. When interpreting key elements of tea culture and local features into contemporary variations, the setting is free to take unlimited forms while remaining relevant and recognizable.

In order to achieve altered levels of privacy, moments of surprise when exploring the space and a clear definition of functions, the space is not only layered through the use of light, but just as much with various architectural elements and materials, creating different settings for different occasions; slip into an inbuilt sofa, gently cushioned or choose a reclined chair with armrests to lean back and read a book; engage and study the knowing staff and be part of the everyday tea ceremonies at the grandiose stone counter.

The use of local and natural materials turns every store into its own, as they are intriguingly unpredictable and will always result in unique tonal palettes. Combined with a subtle storytelling of local features, a BASAO store will always be local, even when global.

With the ambition to create a local wine bar and restaurant emphasised by an intimate and cosy atmosphere that underlines a sense of presence, Nærvær is located in a fairly new and contemporary building. Situated in a prime location of Christianshavn overlooking the canal with a beautiful view Copenhagen’s old city centre, this new place hosts a local winebar as well as an intimate and high-end gourmet restaurant with seating for no more than 10 people. Welcoming Copenhageners as much as the rest of the world, it is a spot where locals and foreigners alike can share great and affordable wines from around the world, as well as a taste of the french kitchen. 

With a humble and intimate approach to the interior, Nærvær is formed by a casual atmosphere with small spaces and niches for guests to enjoy. With an interior design defined by an array of stone, wood and metal, the materials are all natural and have deliberately been altered in order to create dark and industrial surfaces that matches the mood of the place. This conscious focus on tactility brings a warm, material richness to the interior that naturally compliments the raw concrete walls and industrial framework of the space. 

Paying respect to the existing features of the space and surrounding area, the colour palette reflects the exterior of the building, bringing a dark and warm spectrum of colours into the space that intensifies the intimacy. This contrasting use of materials, colours and objects ultimately enhances the intimate experi- ence and sense of presence that was the initial catalyst for the project.