Using Video to Create Signature Features and Enhance Spatial Experiences

ModuleX® was selected for TABI UENO, a hotel in Higashi-Ueno, Tokyo, for everything from video content planning and production through to system design.

This project makes use of video not merely as a means of presenting images, but as an element of the environment that enhances the experiential value of the hotel as a whole.

The interior is designed as a “Zen retreat,” and in line with this concept, original video content based on the themes of Japan’s four seasons and gardens is presented from the entrance through the lobby to the elevator hall leading to the guest rooms, seamlessly connecting visitors’ movement through the hotel with their spatial experience.

For the Zen circle displayed at the entrance (representing perfect peace of mind), which makes a striking impression as the signature feature of the hotel, we sought to create a visual impression that would resonate with international visitors to Japan, with the desire to attract inbound tourism in mind.
To bring the spatial concept to life through video, we worked in close coordination with the supervisor. Through repeated discussions, we fine-tuned the subtle nuances of the animated movements and carefully selected plant motifs to represent the seasons, ultimately elevating the design to the point of perfectly merging tranquility with advanced visual impact.

In addition, to support this evocative presentation, we brought our expertise in the science, technology, design, and engineering of experience design fully to bear, guided by a design-oriented philosophy that took a holistic view of the hotel concept and the arranged environments.

To reduce the hotel staff’s operational workload, we designed a scheduling program that automatically switches between spring, summer, fall, and winter presentations, as well as daytime and nighttime presentations, according to the date and time. This system provides long-term autonomous operation through to 2035.

Invisible systems that seamlessly support on-site operations blend together beautifully with the visual comfort experienced by guests, with each element playing an integral role in creating the serene and sophisticated experience unique to TABI UENO.