Luxury Vacation Villas Built in Japandi Style
A unique architectural experience where Japanese and Scandinavian design meet
1Architecture integrated with nature
Danish architect Bjarke Ingels' three villas on Japan's Sagishima Island draw inspiration from Japanese landscape paintings. Spread over 323,000 square feet, the villas are located on steep slopes overlooking the Seto Inland Sea. Curved forms adapting to the sloping topography, on-site rammed earth walls, and seamless indoor-outdoor spaces stand out. Each villa gives guests the feeling of living inside a watercolor painting.
2Design details tailored to views
The villas are named 360, 270, and 180 degrees based on their vista angles. Villa 360 offers panoramic sea views with its ring-shaped plan, while Villa 270 features a broken circle design with a pool, sauna, and sunbathing areas. Villa 180, closest to the water, has a horseshoe shape with a private moss garden and a pool curved to match the bluff. Each villa is uniquely fashioned with architectural details specific to its location.
3Fusion of traditional and modern
The project combines Japanese and Scandinavian design elements. Exposed wood ceilings, slate tile flooring used both indoors and outdoors, and patterns reminiscent of traditional tatami mats in Japanese homes stand out. Traditional details like rain chains are blended with modern living comforts. Furniture made of natural materials in neutral hues offers a calming, holistic experience.
4Sustainable architectural solutions
The villas' rammed earth walls are made from local soil with a small amount of cement binder. These walls provide thermal mass to reduce heating and cooling needs while increasing earthquake resistance. Roofs resembling traditional Japanese eaves actually consist of small-scale photovoltaic panels that power the villas. BIG previously used this technology at Google's California headquarters.
5NOT A HOTEL concept
The villas were designed for NOT A HOTEL, a brand offering fractional ownership. When not used by owners, these villas can be rented like hotels. Located on three separate peaks on the island's southwestern cape, the four-bedroom villas operate under NOT A HOTEL Setouchi. Guests enjoy a unique vacation experience immersed in nature with this blend of Japanese and Scandinavian design.
6Integration of architecture and landscape
Bjarke Ingels notes it's difficult to distinguish where the landscape ends and architecture begins in the villas' design. Retractable glass walls, floor-to-ceiling windows, and skylights blur boundaries between indoors and outdoors. Every detail from furniture to cutlery is designed with consistent aesthetics. This holistic approach offers guests an incredibly immersive experience.
7Cross-cultural design dialogue
The project represents a creative dialogue between Japanese and Scandinavian design cultures. Both cultures value honest presentation of materials and craftsmanship. BIG's first project in Japan also reflects the firm's new experiences in sustainable residential design. Ingels emphasizes their pursuit of seamlessly bridging heritage and modern technology while turning environmental performance into architectural expression.
8The future of luxury vacations
NOT A HOTEL Setouchi villas redefine sustainable luxury. Standing out with nature-friendly design, energy efficiency, and cultural synthesis, this project illuminates the future of vacationing. The villas' mutually visible rooftops constantly display the photovoltaic technology. This approach shows sustainability isn't just a technical feature but also an architectural statement.
Original article: Architectural Digest — Japandi tarzında inşa edilen lüks tatil villaları