ZHA shapes stepped coastal retreat for NOT A HOTEL in japan

ZHA designs a coastal hotel shaped by Okinawa’s terrain

Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) unveils its design for the inaugural vertex by NOT A HOTEL, a coastal retreat in Okinawa, Japan, marking the first realization of NOT A HOTEL’s newly launched brands. Set between the island’s turquoise bay and a dense subtropical forest, the project continues ZHA’s four-decade engagement with Japan while translating the research of the studio into landscape-driven architecture for a highly sensitive coastal site.

A continuation of the existing rock formations, the hotel is articulated as a series of stepped horizontal planes, courtyards, and gardens. Its composition and material strategy are informed by extensive environmental analysis, including year-round studies of temperature, humidity, rainfall, prevailing winds, solar irradiation, and air quality. These datasets were translated into digital models that guide the orientation, spatial sequencing, and envelope design of the building to enhance guest comfort while optimizing environmental performance in Okinawa’s humid subtropical climate.

‘Informed by the site’s remarkable topography, the design is a continuation of ZHA’s ongoing research of composition and materiality that is driven by explorations of landscape formations evident in nature. The stepped canopies of the hotel gently transition from the unique geology of the shoreline to the dense vegetation of the rain forest—giving uninterrupted views of the ocean and a deep connection to the surrounding environment, while providing a sense of privacy that enriches user experience and charts a journey through the varied natural ecosystems of the region,’ ZHA project director Ludovico Lombardi explains.

all images by Negativ

NOT A HOTEL frames hospitality through landscape and ecology

Planned on a 25,322-square-meter plot, the hotel occupies a narrow threshold where white sand beaches meet steep forested terrain. The architecture is integrated into the site to reduce environmental disturbance and preserve the coastal and marine ecosystems. Each villa is oriented to secure uninterrupted ocean views and privacy, while shared facilities are distributed across stepped terraces that follow the natural contours of the shoreline.

The design is shaped by Okinawa’s distinctive geology, formed from Ryukyu limestone composed of Pleistocene coral reef sedimentary layers deposited over 400,000 years ago. This terrain, together with the humid microclimate of the island, sustains a dense subtropical rainforest along the coast. Responding to stringent guidelines set by the island’s forestry commission, marine conservationists, and local environmental authorities, ZHA’s architecture ‘floats’ above the landscape at the boundary between forest and beach, significantly reducing its footprint across both ecosystems and maintaining site biodiversity.

A twelve-month study of daily solar exposure informed the hotel’s distinctive canopies, which extend from the structure to form sheltered terraces cascading toward the shoreline. These deep overhangs reinterpret the pronounced eaves found in Okinawa’s traditional vernacular architecture, providing shaded outdoor circulation and living spaces while mitigating heat gain and glare.

a continuation of the existing rock formations

local materials and monsoon-responsive design

Local craft and material traditions are embedded throughout the project. Okinawa pine, limestone from nearby quarries, and ceramics produced in regional workshops reinforce the hotel’s connection to place while continuing the island’s long-standing culture of craftsmanship. Natural ventilation is prioritized across communal spaces, guest rooms, suites, and villas, harnessing the prevailing Kāchibē winds that blow inland from the ocean during the summer months.

Located within the Pacific Ocean’s East Monsoon system, the hotel has been engineered to respond to extreme climatic conditions. All facilities are elevated at least 6.5 meters above the high-water line to protect against storm surges, while the structure is designed to withstand intense winds, heavy precipitation, and seismic activity associated with Okinawa’s coastal environment.

Construction and long-term operation aim to minimize ecological impact through modular prefabricated systems. The hotel’s facade and structural components are finished with a pale tone and texture that echo the island’s coral beaches, while precision-engineered concrete elements incorporate recycled aggregates sourced from redundant local structures, reflecting a circular approach to material use.

the hotel is articulated as a series of stepped horizontal planes