In recent years, Kawasaki’s industrial area has undergone rapid redevelopment, particularly in the area adjacent to Haneda Airport. Here, architects Shigeru Kubota, Nobuo Miyao, Keiichiro Uematsu, Kenji Tsunaki and interior design studio Degins JP have created The Warehouse.

What was once the Isuzu Motors factory has been converted into a hotel with an industrial design that aims to retain its former essence and is reminiscent of a warehouse. The complex serves several functions, including an entrance hall, cafeteria and co-working area.

The Warehouse is surrounded by a rich natural environment with cycling routes and parks that give the impression that Kawasaki is not a factory area. The hotel’s cafeteria and restaurant, Trex Kawasaki River Cafe, is a meeting place for the local community where a variety of activities take place.

Cosentino contributed to this project through its Silestone brand. According to Degins JP: “we used Silestone Blanco Maple for the bar counter in the bar on the first floor and for the restaurant table on the fifth floor. It has a unique colour and texture, and is water, stain and scratch resistant, making it easy to use on restaurant and bar counters”. Silestone Blanco Maple is a mottled white shade, a pure and minimalist surface that lends itself to the most unexpected combinations. At The Warehouse, it provides the perfect counterpoint to these dark-toned spaces, which feature subtle lighting and materials such as wood.

The cafeteria at the back of the first floor hosts cycling and other river-related events, making the building a vibrant place for researchers and local people to meet.

“In response to the city’s request for a hotel, as Kawasaki needed a place to accommodate the many people who visit the city from around the world, we created a ‘global’ environment that makes the most of its location right outside Haneda Airport,” says the studio. Although the old premises were used, it was necessary to find “a local perspective that would serve as a place for people to meet, and we proceeded with the concept of creating a base for the transmission of local culture, combining both aspects.”