Multiplicity Japanese and Scandinavian design, resort on Sagi Island, Japan

Bjarke Ingels Group has unveiled more details about their collaboration with NOT A HOTEL, a new resort on Sagi Island, Japan. The design aims to create a dialogue between Japanese and Scandinavian design. BIG and NOT A HOTEL’s partnership began in 2022 for building a new resort around Japan. BIG’s NOT A HOTEL is located on Sagishima island and sits on 30,000 sqm of land with a panoramic view of the Seto Inland Sea. Shinji Hamauzu, CEO and Founder of NOT A HOTEL, said, “In the last few decades, Japan has been attracting attention as a place to experience stunning natural landscapes as well as high-end design, innovative architecture, and cutting-edge art. The Seto Inland Sea area, where NOT A HOTEL SETOUCHI will be built, brings together all of these aspects of Japanese tourism into a single site. In partnering with BIG, we are creating one of Japan’s most luxurious villas on Sagi Island, a gateway for more people to experience the charm of the Setouchi region.”

The project’s master plan includes the restoration of the surrounding sites. Before construction begins, the grass will be harvested, and native vegetation such as olive trees, lemon trees, and others will be reintroduced to enhance the site’s natural beauty. The resort consists of three villas: Villa 360, Villa 270, and Villa 180, each named after their locations. The designers aim to blend architecture and landscape by using different degrees. Each villa at BIG’s NOT A HOTEL has its own characteristics, tailored to its specific location. For example, the circular Villa 360 is situated at the highest location of the project and offers a great view of Setouchi. Villa 270 captures a 270-degree panoramic view of the surroundings, while the 180 villa is located at the closest location to the sea, and its form follows the coastline.