Projects | Hotel Koo, Otsu Shiga

Hotel Koo a Converted
Tea House in Otsu, Shiga

In contrast to tourist-ridden Kyoto, Shiga Prefecture is a quieter place which remains relatively undiscovered compared to the cities' far more famous neighbour. Hotel Koo Otsuhyakucho is located in Otsu in the middle of a residential neighbourhood. The hotel consists of a mix of traditional two-storey buildings and modern, design apartments.

Housed in a remodeled Machiya townhouse, Hotel Koo is the first hotel situated in a shopping arcade while altogether 7 accommodations scatter around the old Tokaido road or shopping street.

Everywhere at the hotel, an authentic and natural ambience is flowing.

The award-winning establishment aims to breathe life into local businesses by attracting visitors from far and wide. While Hotel Koo has retained the traditional exterior of the machiya (Japanese traditional house) it inherited, the interior boasts a blend of contemporary decor with traditional elements.

The reception building, Ohmiya, hosts Hotel Koo’s reception, lounge, and dining area, while other rooms and suites can be found across the hotel’s seven buildings elsewhere in the old arcade. Hotel Koo’s guest rooms are tastefully fitted with contemporary furnishings with traditional trimmings. Several rooms at the hotel are furnished with Finn Juhl furniture adding a warm and exclusive overall feel to the hotel. 

A comfortable dining setup is created with Finn Juhl's Reading Chair.

A dazzling yellow 46 Sofa paired with an equally colourful 45 Chair in one of the most exclusive rooms at Hotel Koo.

Pieces to discover

Featured Furniture in this Project

Discover the Finn Juhl pieces that are featured at Hotel Koo. Click through the furniture below to dive into the history behind the creation of the individual pieces and find inspiring, captivating images along with information about different material options and the sizes available.

The 46 Sofa | Finn Juhl | 1946

As the name suggests, this bold, curvaceous two-seater sofa was originally designed in 1946 and crafted by Carl Brørup in his Copenhagen workshop. Finn Juhl, who was greatly influenced by modern art, integrated this inspiration into his designs during that period, with the 46 Sofa being a prime example. Exhibiting a free-flowing design and sculptural form, the 46 Sofa encapsulates Finn Juhl’s approach to furniture design. The sofa is upholstered by hand Denmark in a variety of textiles, leathers as well as sheepskin. The legs are available in oak, walnut, or black painted finishes.

Discover

The Pelican Chair | Finn Juhl | 1940

Finn Juhl’s fascination with surrealism is evident in the Pelican Chair from 1940 – one of his most forward-thinking designs. Although it received early recognition, it was not put into production until 2001, 61 years after its debut. The chair is made with a loose cushion and hand-upholstered in Denmark in textile, sheepskin, or leather. The legs are available in oak, walnut, or black-painted.

Discover

The Pelican Table | Finn Juhl | 1940

At the 1940 Cabinetmakers’ Guild Exhibition in Copenhagen, the Pelican Chair was presented together with the Pelican Table – both bearing witness to Finn Juhl’s strong affinity for modern art. However, the table was never put into production and was only rediscovered at a Paris auction nearly 75 years later, allowing the accurate design and measurements of the table to be finally determined. Today, the Pelican Table is available in oak, walnut, Oregon pine, or painted black.

Discover

The Eye Table | Finn Juhl | 1948

The three-legged Eye Table, named for its distinctive shape, was originally designed to complement the 46 Sofa. Its soft, organic curves align seamlessly with the sofa’s form, creating a cohesive expression. Yet, thanks to its refined details and timeless character, the Eye Table fits effortlessly into a variety of living room settings. It is available in oak or walnut, with a tabletop in veneer, white nano laminate, or black linoleum.

Discover

The 45 Chair | Finn Juhl | 1945

In the fall of 1945, Finn Juhl unveiled the 45 Chair at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers' Guild Exhibition. With this chair, he introduced a groundbreaking design separating the carried from the carrying elements – something previously unseen. Today, the chair is widely regarded as one of the most revolutionary and iconic pieces in Danish furniture design. The chair is upholstered by hand in Denmark in textile or leather. The frame is available in oak or walnut.

Discover

The Reading Chair | Finn Juhl | 1953

The Reading Chair from 1953 exemplifies unpretentious elegance. The chair was designed for the Danish company Bovirke, with a variation created for Baker Furniture in the United States. Distinguished by its intricate details, the chair is perfectly suited for private homes and restaurants. When dining in the Reading Chair, one will notice how seated individuals naturally rest their arms on the horizontal back piece. The frame is available in solid oak with a back piece in plywood of oak and walnut with an outer layer in walnut. Horizontal top piece in solid oak and walnut. The chair can also be ordered in a fully black-painted version or entirely in walnut, ash or oak. The seat can be upholstered in either textile or leather. Additionally, a version of the chair with a veneered seat is also available.

Discover