Nobu Ryokan Hotel

Nobu Ryokan Hotel
© Barbara Kraft

NOBU RYOKAN HOTEL

Studio PCH, Montalba Architects and TAL Studio

CATEGORY
Hotels, Refurbishment

LOCATION
Malibu, United States

AREA
9200 ft²

PROJECT ARCHITECT
Montalba Architects

YEAR
2017

PHOTOGRAPHS
Barbara Kraft, Dylan + Jeni

MANUFACTURERS
Alumilex, Duratherm, Jerusalem

PRINCIPAL
David Montalba

INTERIOR DESIGN CONSULTANT
TAL Studio

CONTRACTOR
Shawmut Design and Construction

Nobu Ryokan is a renovation of a 1950’s era motel in Malibu, CA. It is the flagship project for the growing Nobu hospitality brand.

Nobu Ryokan Hotel
© Barbara Kraft
Nobu Ryokan Hotel
© Dylan + Jeni

The design concept of Nobu Ryokan blends elements of a traditional Japanese ryokan (inn) with Western elements of a bed and breakfast and boutique hotel.

The resulting project includes rich wood craftsmanship, meaningful material transitions, and framing views, all reflective of traditional Japanese design. Interior and exterior spaces have blurred transitions leaving guests feeling connected to the natural environment.

Nobu Ryokan Hotel
© Dylan + Jeni
Nobu Ryokan Hotel
© Dylan + Jeni
Nobu Ryokan Hotel
© Dylan + Jeni
Nobu Ryokan Hotel
© Dylan + Jeni
Nobu Ryokan Hotel
© Dylan + Jeni

No two rooms are the same and some offer private courtyards with framed views of the Pacific. The design accomplishes this while maintaining the privacy expected of a boutique hotel.

The material palette of Nobu Ryokan is ipe, teak, poured in place concrete, oil rubbed bronze and limestone.

Nobu Ryokan Hotel
© Barbara Kraft
Nobu Ryokan Hotel
© Dylan + Jeni

Knuckle jointed siding corners and expressing the boards used to form the concrete celebrates the craftsmanship throughout the project.

The sandy tones of the concrete and the bronze left to weather organically interact with the natural materials of wood and stone and reinforce the architecture's connection to the site and surrounding environment.

Nobu Ryokan Hotel
© Dylan + Jeni
Nobu Ryokan Hotel
© Dylan + Jeni

This beach front property in Malibu, California presented some design challenges. The project was a complete renovation that transformed an existing bungalow type roadside motel into a quiet oasis in the heart of a bustling beach community on the Pacific Coast Highway.

The city of Malibu has very strict regulations related to building on the beach that the design and construction teams had to navigate.

Nobu Ryokan Hotel
© Dylan + Jeni
Nobu Ryokan Hotel
© Dylan + Jeni

In addition to this, there were structural challenges associated with an ocean side site with the potential for significant seismic activity.

Also, because the property is on the PCH, noise mitigation was an important factor in the design. Though you are only steps away from a busy highway, the courtyard feels peaceful and intimate with views drawing the eye to the Pacific Ocean.

Nobu Ryokan Hotel
© Barbara Kraft


Nobu Ryokan Hotel
1st Floor Plan
Nobu Ryokan Hotel
2nd Floor Plan


Nobu Ryokan Hotel
Section
Nobu Ryokan Hotel
Wall Section


Nobu Ryokan Hotel
Floor Plan