Aethos Shoreditch Opens in London with Astet Studio's 'East meets East' Interiors

Boutique hotel brand Aethos has opened its first London outpost, Aethos Shoreditch, in a building designed by Ron Arad Associates that previously housed Nobu Hotel Shoreditch. The interiors, created by Barcelona-based Astet Studio, blend the building's industrial design language with Japanese-inspired materials and concepts. Co-founder Oscar Engroba described the approach as 'East meets East,' aiming to bring the existing character of Shoreditch into conversation with Japanese design traditions. The design draws on the Japanese concept of Utsuroi, meaning the architecture stays constant while the experience quietly evolves. The 164-room hotel, originally built in 2017, features a striking industrial facade with cantilevered balconies in glass, steel, and concrete. The lobby uses earthy browns and muted natural tones to introduce warmth, with the colour palette inspired by the Japanese Shin-Bijutsukai movement. Textured fabrics and matte finishes absorb rather than reflect light, creating subtle changes throughout the day. The hotel includes a restaurant, Mitsu, a bar, gym, and members' lounge. Bedrooms feature a simpler palette of grey, burnt orange, and blackened wood. Vintage pieces and works by local artists connect the interior to its East London roots. Photography is by Pion Studio.