BIG completes first Japanese project with rammed-earth villas for Not A Hotel on Sagishima

BIG, a Danish architecture firm, has unveiled its inaugural structures in Japan: three opulent villas constructed from rammed earth on Sagishima island. The Not A Hotel Setouchi project, commissioned by Not A Hotel, covers an area of 30,000 square meters and includes a private beach and a restaurant pavilion. Each villa, featuring four bedrooms, utilizes local earth and is crafted to harmonize with the surrounding landscape, enhancing views of the Seto Inland Sea. The tallest villa, 360, surrounds a courtyard; the central 270 villa boasts a 270-degree view of the sea along with a sauna and pool; while the 180 villa, positioned nearest to the shore, showcases a curved design. Interiors reflect traditional Japanese aesthetics. Recent works by BIG include a pop-up stadium for Shakira and a wellness center in Istanbul. Photography credits go to Kenta Hasegawa.