Architect Sou Fujimoto finished 'EARTH', a circular, green-roofed mansion that appears to blend into the surroundings of Okinawa's isolated Ishigaki Island, Japan. Announced in 2022, the project is the largest in the hospitality brand's network to date and is already open and fully booked before construction has even finished. Located within a 10,000-square-meter beachfront location, the 1,500-square-meter refuge is thought of as an extension of the earth. From above, its curved white shape is hardly discernible as it vanishes beneath a living roof that melds with the landscape.
Not A Hotel’s Newest Stay - Sou Fujimoto’s Green Bowl-Shaped Villa
Fujimoto, who most recently worked as the Site Design Producer for Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai, focuses on internal and external continuity, architecture and landscape, and sky and sea in his design of EARTH. The bowl-shaped design of the villa invites guests in while maintaining an open view of the ocean.
Taichi Saito, a landscape designer, created the courtyard garden in the center of the plan, which includes a children's pool and an oasis-like water basin. Guests may easily transition between aspects of nature and shelter thanks to the roof garden, campfire, and sauna's ability to capture refracted sunlight from the pool above.
The focal point of EARTH's architecture is a communal living-dining area that faces an infinity pool that disappears into the ocean. This front row perspective was created by Japanese architect Fujimoto and is perfect for dining with a private chef, watching sunsets, or listening to waves, ideal to connect deeply with the force of nature. Four bedrooms with full-height, bezel-less windows that can accommodate up to ten people are located next to the open-plan area. There is a shallow water basin that runs between the room and the horizon, and one room opens straight to the sea. How cool is it?
Spaces With Natural Light Filtering In
The first floor has a sauna underneath, where natural light enters through the water above to simulate being underwater and create a cavern-like ambiance. After using the sauna, visitors can use an outdoor pool or proceed to a fully furnished gym that includes cardio equipment, a Smith machine, and a punching bag. Following the villa's architectural pattern of vanishing edges, the low-profile tub in the bathroom seems to blend into the seascape, continuing the horizontal design language of the estate.
Although the villa itself offers a sense of seclusion, visitors are also urged to take advantage of Ishigaki's cultural and natural attractions. Activities include private dinners with live Sanshin music, a traditional 'sabani' sailing voyage at twilight, and even personalized brewing experiences of Awamori, the indigenous spirit of Okinawa, produced at the neighboring Ikehara Brewery utilizing copper pot distillation techniques.
From family-style Okinawan home cooking to premium BBQ, the villa provides a variety of carefully chosen eating experiences focused on local foods for foodies, always highlighting minimal processing and a strong sense of place. EARTH places upscale architecture in close proximity to nature, about 11 minutes from New Ishigaki Airport.
What do you think of this place? A wild idea and shape, but always close to nature.
Photos by @newcolor_studio on Not a Hotel.
