In south-west Japan, the island of Ishigaki in Okinawa prefecture is famous for its immaculate beaches, its world-class scuba diving, snorkelling and surfing spots, and its unspoilt coral reefs. It is hardly surprising, therefore, that Not A Hotel decided to open its doors in this tropical paradise. “We create exceptional homes, designed by exceptional designers, in exceptional locations. Our aim is to set a new standard of inspired living that you won’t find anywhere else in the world,’ explains CEO Shinji Hamauzu. In other words, it is a holiday home that doubles as a hotel, which is sold to 12 people who have ownership of their property for a minimum of 30 days a year, with the possibility of exploring other properties within the network. When not occupied by its owners, the residence is rented out. The property start-up, which uses cutting-edge technology and design to encourage sustainable and socially responsible practices, makes a point of entrusting its projects to renowned architects such as Sou Fujimoto.
The award-winning architect draws extensively on the natural surroundings that stamped his upbringing on the island of Hokkaido, as demonstrated by his many projects inspired by organic structures. The ambitious and original Ishigaki project, located on a high-potential site of almost one hectare with the beach at its feet, is no exception. Seen from the sky, the circular building’s two floors blend into the environment while, glimpsed from the ocean, they barely rise above the surrounding foliage, making them almost imperceptible. The green roof, as undulating as a hill, seems to be embraced by a white ribbon wall of unequal height. The roof is concave, interspaced with a sprinkling of openings to flood the first floor with light. The lower part of the building boasts its own verdant elements, with an imposing tree nonchalantly placed next to a children’s pool and a warm firepit that lights up the starry evenings. This incessant interplay between architecture and nature is particularly evident on the second floor, where the living room comes with a through-view. On one side, connected to the roof, it benefits from a large terrace that makes a feature of an attractive flight of steps, and on the other, sheltered from the sun by an overhang, it affords an impressive panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean through high, seamless windows. A 12-metre infinity pool surrounds the villa and opens out onto the sea, further blurring its boundaries.
Mortex, a fine, waterproof coating, has been chosen for the floors and walls, interspersed by natural wood, neutral colours and soft materials for the minimalist, often made-to-measure furniture in harmony with the landscape. Designed as a cocoon, the brief given for the premises was clearly to put the focus on serenity and relaxation. The four light-flooded bedrooms with en suite bathrooms apply the same principle, with large bay windows that bring the outside in. But back to nature doesn’t mean skimping on technology, as the lighting, blinds and air conditioning can be controlled with the utmost degree of precision. The television room has been given a lounge-like vibe, inviting you to nestle down. A fully-equipped gym plunges you into the heart of nature, while a sauna under the pool, with its large porthole ceiling, allows you to admire the enigmatic reflections of the sun’s rays as they pass through the water on the wooden partitions.
The waterfall-like wall of water at the spa entrance is soothing and revitalising. Offering both an idyllic view of the sea and the plant cover, this dwelling in osmosis with the environment has been thought through right down to the greening of the roof to secure a comprehensive sense of well-being and comfort. But it does more than that, as it also invites us to rethink the idea of what luxury means today. Is it the space allocated, expensive materials, designer furniture and renowned works of art, or simply the privilege of appreciating what we have before our eyes, a luxury you cannot put a price on, through an architecture that allows us to soak up its essence, harmony and sensations? At Not A Hotel, every project is given a name. This one hit the mark: Earth.
