Kohji York-Kawabata
Design DirectorCRÈME/Jun Aizaki Architecture & DesignKohji York-Kawabata is the Design Director at CRÈME/Jun Aizaki Architecture & Design, bringing over 14 years of experience in luxury hospitality and interior design. With a background in product design and a strong understanding of materials, craftsmanship, and spatial composition, Kohji approaches each project with an emphasis on creating distinctive environments that balance character, comfort, and functionality. A graduate of Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design in London, where he earned a degree in Product Design, Kohji developed an early appreciation for the relationship between form, material, and the way people interact with their surroundings. This foundation continues to influence his approach to interiors, from the overall spatial experience to the smallest details. At CRÈME, Kohji leads the studio's design development across a range of hospitality projects, overseeing everything from initial concepts and space planning to material selections, furniture, and the overall guest experience. His work includes the 1 Hotel Tokyo, Sheraton Kagoshima in Japan and Scarpetta at The Tokyo EDITION, among other projects.
One Night Only: Access, Belonging, Discovery
The most memorable hospitality experiences do more than provide a place to stay. They create a sense of belonging, inspire discovery, and connect gues
…The most memorable hospitality experiences do more than provide a place to stay. They create a sense of belonging, inspire discovery, and connect guests to the peole, culture, and stories that make a destination unique. Using One Night Only as a case
…The most memorable hospitality experiences do more than provide a place to stay. They create a sense of belonging, inspire discovery, and connect guests to the peole, culture, and stories that make a destination unique. Using One Night Only as a case study, leaders from IHG Hotels & Resorts and Crème explore the collaborative journey behind transforming three distinct lifestyle brands, Kimpton, Hotel Indigo, and Ruby, into a single immersive
…The most memorable hospitality experiences do more than provide a place to stay. They create a sense of belonging, inspire discovery, and connect guests to the peole, culture, and stories that make a destination unique. Using One Night Only as a case study, leaders from IHG Hotels & Resorts and Crème explore the collaborative journey behind transforming three distinct lifestyle brands, Kimpton, Hotel Indigo, and Ruby, into a single immersive experience. From the evolution of the concept itself to the cultural inspiration, creative partnership, and strategic thinking behind it, this conversation examines how hospitality can create places that feel alive, meaningful, and deeply connected to the communities they serve. At a time when great design is increasingly expected, the discussion explores a bigger idea: that the greatest offering of lifestyle hospitality is access. Access to neighborhoods, culture, connection, discovery, and a sense of belonging.
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