House of SUGI
Yakushima | Japan

 

Set on the island of Yakushima, the project is conceived as an extension of the surrounding forest, where ancient Yakusugi cedars and constant rain define a dynamic natural environment.

Sugi (Japanese cedar) forms the material and sensory core of the architecture, evolving with light, moisture, and time. A circular plan and a roof shaped by the surrounding mountains create a fluid interior, where light, shadow, and views establish a continuous dialogue with the landscape.

At the center, a double-height living space organized around a hearth acts as the social core, with spaces unfolding radially across two levels. Full-height glazing dissolves boundaries between inside and outside, while terraces and water elements extend the architecture into the terrain.

The project becomes a living environment—an immersive continuation of Yakushima’s forest.