a hotel and bath in northeast seattle

this studio began with a trip to japan, with the goal of learning the ways in which tokyo prioritizes transit-oriented development and adapting these ideas to a growing seattle. owing to future growth and transit extensions in northeast seattle, this building’s program is a hotel and public bath, or sento, which acts as a community gathering place in japanese culture— something this neighborhood lacks.

the building replaces a fuel station on the original run of a creek and suggests the potential of using this water as a source for the baths. the sento is below grade, reclaiming space previously used for fuel storage, and making use of thermal energy from a natural water source below the surface.

taking inspiration from the verticality of japan’s cities, the building’s twenty stories are expressed through a full-height central void open to the elements and linking the subterranean baths with the sky.

university of washington, department of architecture. metabolic urbanism studio. instructor: ken oshima.