eeGee Stay
eeGee Stay is a capsule hotel created inside a vacant building in a shopping arcade in Saitama, Japan. Vacant old buildings and the economic decline of local shopping arcades are social problems in Japan, and the renovation approach responds to both. Reuse of the existing structure saves resources and cost, and lower room prices follow. Sleeping cabins are built from oriented strand board panels, with 152 cabins for women and 154 for men. Wood and greenery give the interior a forest-like character. No restaurant or laundry is included, so guests use nearby local shops.
eeGee Stay Local Capsule Hotel by Hajime Tsuruta has been highlighted as an innovative illustration of architectural design by the A' Design Award. eeGee Stay Local Capsule Hotel was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in Interior Space and Exhibition Design in 2020. The A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award is an international, juried, academic and meritocratic design competition which recognizes outstanding design of residential interiors, restaurants, hotels, offices, galleries, retail stores, showrooms, exhibition spaces and more.
