Sapporo Granbell Hotel is a contemporary business hotel in central Sapporo, combining Hokkaido's local character with modern urban design. Completed in 2021, the 13-story building uses warm, restrained colors and clean lines to establish a welcoming scale. Large windows and dark metal panels provide abundant daylight and views of the snow, while reflecting the winter streetscape. A distinctive open-air bath on the top floor allows guests to soak while overlooking Sapporo, offering an urban hot-spring experience. Through understated, detailed design, the hotel provides a comfortable retreat in a busy neighborhood and a sense of Hokkaido's character.
The Warmth of Wood and Steel: The interior themes of wood and steel, warmth and comfort combine timber with industrial steel elements to create a setting that is both modern and welcoming. Hokkaido timber on lobby floors and walls is paired with black metal detailing and concrete ceilings. Softly curved furniture balances the harder materials, making guests feel at home. Guestrooms continue this approach with restrained furnishings, textiles inspired by local traditional patterns and warm lighting, offering comfort with a sense of place.
Urban Context and Natural Imagery: In Sapporo's severe northern winters, the design encourages a seasonal dialogue between inside and outside. Irregular rectangular windows at the lower levels take inspiration from the geometry of snow crystals; apparently random by day, their illuminated pattern adds life to the street at night. A tall entrance porch, supported by intersecting engineered-timber beams, evokes a forest and provides shelter from snow. The rooftop outdoor bath brings Hokkaido's hot-spring culture into the city. Local basalt and cedar surround the bath, suggesting a natural outdoor spring and allowing guests to look at the stars above the skyline. These details reinterpret local nature and culture.
We coordinated construction of the facade and portions of the interior fit-out. To address Sapporo's cold, snowy winters, we selected highly insulated curtain wall units and concealed electric de-icing devices in the window frames to prevent ice from obstructing operation. Irregular window patterns were realized through precast concrete and aluminum cladding, fabricated in sections with embedded anchors before delivery and lifting to ensure accurate alignment and efficient construction. Inside, we coordinated fabrication and installation of the large timber framework in the lobby, using digital cutting for precise joinery and site assembly. Operational requirements were considered throughout, including heating pipes beneath the lobby floor and anti-slip and frost-protection measures around the open-air bath. Integrated service allowed close control of quality and scheduling and supported delivery of this distinctive urban hotel.
Through detailed, people-focused design, Sapporo Granbell Hotel creates a warm retreat in a busy city. It incorporates Hokkaido's nature and culture into contemporary hospitality, offering a welcoming experience and adding a distinctive, understated presence to the streetscape.
