Zaha Hadid Architects designs first Vertex Hotel in Okinawa with environmental focus

Zaha Hadid Architects will design the inaugural Vertex Hotel for NOT A HOTEL's new HERITAGE brand, located on Okinawa Island. The 25,322 m² site sits between turquoise waters and dense subtropical forest in Okinawa Bay. Environmental considerations guided the architectural design, engineering, and construction processes to minimize impact on coastal and marine ecosystems. The hotel's architecture reflects Ryukyu limestone formations and traditional Okinawan vernacular with deep eaves and cantilevers. A twelve-month solar radiation analysis informed distinctive canopies that create shaded outdoor spaces. The modular structure elevates facilities 6.5 meters above high tide to withstand Pacific monsoon zone typhoons. Project director Ludovico Lombardi stated the design continues ZHA's research into composition and materiality. Local materials include Okinawan pine wood, limestone from regional quarries, and ceramics from nearby workshops. The hotel continues ZHA's four-decade relationship with Japan, following acclaimed pavilions, buildings, and interiors inspired by Japanese landscapes and craftsmanship.