The “NOT A HOTEL Setouchi” resort on Sagishima island

On the remote Japanese island of Sagishima, set within the tranquil waters of the Seto Inland Sea, stands NOT A HOTEL Setouchi, the latest resort by the NOT A HOTEL brand — a vacation club specializing in the development of luxury residences designed by international architecture firms. Conceived to blend harmoniously with Sagishima’s natural landscape, NOT A HOTEL Setouchi is designed by BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group: it represents the studio’s first completed project in Japan and further enriches BIG’s portfolio in the hospitality sector.

The resort spans a 30,000 m² site on the island’s southwestern tip and consists of three exclusive villas inspired by traditional Japanese houses, complemented by a seafront restaurant and a private beach. Each of the three residences is distinct and adapts to the site’s varying elevations, unfolding like a ribbon along the slope of the promontory.

Accessible by speedboat or helicopter, the resort has been offered through NOT A HOTEL’s shared ownership model, expanding the brand’s network of vacation homes across Japan.

NOT A HOTEL Setouchi: three exclusive residences with a view

The three homes at NOT A HOTEL Setouchi are named 180, 270, and 360, reflecting the breadth of views each enjoys based on its position on the island. Each villa features four bedrooms and is conceived as a single large continuous space, with bathrooms and service areas enclosed in separate volumes.

Located at the highest point of the site, Residence 360 takes on a ring-shaped form and offers panoramic views in every direction. Residence 270 frames a wide panorama of the archipelago surrounding Sagishima, while Residence 180, the closest to the water, follows a curved layout that mirrors the shoreline. A beach pavilion housing the restaurant completes the ensemble.

Constructed using traditional rammed earth techniques, the buildings incorporate local materials and pay homage to elements of Japanese architecture: the glazed facades recall shoji screens, while the black slate flooring —paired with wooden ceiling finishes— echoes the layout of traditional tatami mats. The load-bearing clay walls, made from local soil, are topped with roofs that reinterpret traditional Japanese coverings, clad in low-reflectance solar tiles.

The buildings are designed with operable facades and deep overhangs that promote passive cooling during warmer months, while skylights ensure natural light reaches every room while preserving privacy. Floor-to-ceiling glazing creates a seamless connection between interior and exterior; green courtyards, traditional Japanese baths, outdoor fireplaces, and heated infinity pools blur the boundaries between built and natural environments.

The restoration of the undulating terrain is a key element of the project: grasses were collected prior to construction, while olive trees, lemon trees, and native vegetation were reintroduced at the end of the works. The project also includes a rainwater harvesting system used for irrigation.

In the words of Bjarke Ingels, founder and creative director of BIG, the buildings that make up the resort are true "architectural oxymorons, embodying seemingly contradictory elements into a holistic hospitable whole": Scandinavian and Japanese design, microcosm and macrocosm, tradition and contemporaneity, openness and intimacy.

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