The latest custom Rolls-Royce is a one-off Dawn. The project is named ‘The Kita’, after ‘The Kita Tea House’ luxury residence in central Tokyo, Japan, and came to life in collaboration with architect Kengo Kuma, who designed the unique building.
The car, which was commissioned by the
owner of the multi-level penthouse, sports a choice of colors and materials
inside and out that reflect the spirit of ‘The Kita’. For instance, the Silver
Haze exterior represents the building’s core structural materials, and in
direct sunlight, it has bronze reflections, similar to the screen louvers on
the outside and the detailing of the building’s interior.
‘Handbuilt in Goodwood, England, for The
Kita’, as the special treadplates read, the bespoke Dawn has a special motif
decorating the dashboard, next to the unique clock. Accents transitioning from
Piano Selby Grey to Piano Black bedeck the luxurious cabin that is wrapped in
Selby Grey leather with Arctic White and Black trim. A nod to the paneling of
the penthouse entrance lobby, the Royal Walnut paneling on the rear deck is
said to “bring the interior and exterior together”. The umbrellas have a
special color that matches the cockpit.
“This is the first time I have consulted
on a project of this kind and I am proud that I was able to do so for
Rolls-Royce, a company with which I share a respect for traditional
craftsmanship and a desire to bring out the best in natural materials”, said
Kengo Kuma. “Rolls-Royce has brought the essence of ‘The Kita’ into the car’s
aesthetic, allowing the owner of ‘The Kita Tea House’ to take in their
surrounding city environment. It is a great honor to see the car finally here
at home in Tokyo.”