Just an 11-minute drive from Shin-Ishigaki Airport, a revolutionary tropical retreat emerges on Okinawa’s coastline. Sou Fujimoto’s latest masterpiece – “EARTH” for the avant-garde Not A Hotel collective – redefines luxury by dissolving walls between architecture and nature. This holiday home isn’t just a stay; it’s an immersive dialogue with Ishigaki Island’s elemental forces.
Occupying a vast, serene site along the coast, EARTH appears as a living extension of the terrain. Fujimoto’s radical approach creates an architecture that blurs the boundary between inside and outside. The structure’s circular green roof camouflages it when viewed aerially, while its height mirrors the trees of Ishigaki Island from sea level. This deliberate harmony with nature makes the building feel like a geological formation rather than an intrusion.
Designed for communal living, the villa accommodates up to 10 guests across four separate bedrooms. The heart of the home is an open-plan living/dining room framing uninterrupted ocean views, complemented by an expansive infinity pool. Outside, a private garden unfolds with a kids’ pool, bonfire fireplace, and a ground-floor sauna crowned by a dramatic skylight – transforming wellness into a celestial ritual.
Fujimoto’s genius crystallizes in the central courtyard – a space evoking the sensation of “visiting a different planet.” Stripped to essentials, this microcosm heightens awareness of the sea of Ishigaki, shifting atmosphere, and starry sky. This otherworldly environment paradoxically anchors guests deeper to the island’s rhythms, embodying EARTH’s dualistic philosophy.
The villa’s name, “EARTH”, encapsulates its conceptual duality. While the courtyard feels extraterrestrial, the structure remains rooted in harmony with the earth. Fujimoto drew inspiration from the site’s history – sensing the “overflowing passion” of its original caretaker – to create a design that complements rather than dominates Ishigaki’s lush greenery and coastline.
Social dynamics flourish in this layout. Groups can BBQ in the garden, swim at the secluded beach, then retreat to private suites. The separation of spaces enables a natural rhythm of “switching on and off” – fostering both lively gatherings and solitude within a relaxed atmosphere. It’s a masterclass in balancing communal energy with individual retreat.
Sustainability is woven into EARTH’s DNA. The circular green roof acts as natural insulation while promoting biodiversity. Locally sourced materials minimize carbon footprint, and the low-profile design respects sightlines across the island. This sustainable design philosophy proves luxury needn’t exploit landscapes – it can celebrate them.
For Not A Hotel, EARTH represents an evolution in experiential hospitality. Unlike conventional resorts, it offers complete seclusion – a luxury vacation rental where architecture serves as a subtle frame for nature’s spectacle. The absence of commercial facilities heightens immersion, making the villa a private portal to Okinawa’s raw beauty.
With EARTH, Sou Fujimoto advances tropical architecture into poetic new territory. It’s more than a villa; it’s a sensory instrument attuned to wind, light, and tide. As urban developments encroach globally, this project stands as a manifesto: true luxury isn’t extravagance, but the privilege to exist in symbiosis with the natural world.