FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

eeGee Stay: Reviving the Local Economy

Hajime Tsuruta's innovative project, eeGee Stay, has breathed new life into Saitama's Ichiban-gai shopping arcade, addressing both the issue of vacant buildings and the economic decline of local shopping arcades in Japan. The capsule hotel, designed as a hidden forest within the arcade, aims to attract new customers and boost the local economy, fostering a symbiotic relationship between the hotel and the surrounding businesses.

The hotel, opened on May 10th, 2019, features 152 wooden cabins for women and 154 for men, constructed within an existing vacant building, embracing sustainable and socially responsible design principles. The emphasis on wood and greenery creates a unique, organic oasis within the city, encouraging visitors to patronize local shops and ultimately reviving the local economy.

Despite challenges during the design process, including precision in cabin assembly, the project was successfully realized, earning Hajime Tsuruta the Bronze A' Design Award in 2020 for Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design. Tsuruta's design not only showcases technical and creative skills but also contributes to improving the quality of life, making the world a better place.

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