Pyramid Hut / IGArchitects

Architects: IGArchitects
Area: 83 m²
Year: 2024
Photographs: Ooki Jingu, IGArchitects
Lead Architects: IGArchitects, Masato Igarashi
Construction: FUN SHARE Ltd., Yukimitsu Shimoji
Category: Houses
Structure Engineer: Yousuke Misaki EQSD
City: Okinawa
Country: Japan

Pyramid Hut, designed by IGArchitects for a married couple, sits on a long, narrow site with a gentle slope, enclosed on three sides by apartment buildings and a cemetery, giving it a secluded, valley-like atmosphere. The adjacent cemetery, with vegetation spilling over into the site, blurred the boundary and made the property feel like part of the cemetery, influencing the decision to avoid an open “Okinawa-like” style. The site was organized into three stepped levels with earth-retaining walls used as foundation lines, and a square pyramid form, reminiscent of a portable shrine, placed above. Raised from the Ryukyu limestone base, the pyramid form is stable and private, even if the surrounding soil erodes. The interior is simple in composition: the entrance and bathroom occupy the highest level, the living and study areas are one meter below, and the bedroom and private spaces are on the lowest level. Drawing inspiration from Okinawan tombs designed to withstand harsh climates and serve as places of reverence and gathering, the house adopts a form shaped by environmental, cultural, and budgetary considerations.

This residence was designed for a married couple and is located on a long, narrow plot that gently slopes toward the rear. Surrounded on three sides by apartment buildings and a cemetery, the site conveys the atmosphere of being at the bottom of a valley. The adjacent cemetery, resembling a forest, had vegetation extending into the property, blurring the boundary and making the site appear as though it were part of the cemetery itself. Given these contextual conditions, a building style typical of Okinawa, characterized by large openings, was considered unsuitable for the setting. Instead, the design aimed to create a bright, open architectural space that maintains a respectful separation from its immediate surroundings.

The design envisioned a building with a dignified exterior and a bright, austere interior, intentionally insulated from external influences. The goal was to create architecture with enduring spatial quality, capable of retaining its presence and value even after its original purpose has ended. For this project as well, the intention was to construct a space that would continue to be appreciated and used over time, regardless of changes in ownership or function.

The gently sloped site was divided into three levels to establish the living platform, with stepped earth retaining walls serving as two rows of foundational support. A square pyramid structure, reminiscent of a portable shrine, was then placed above. This pyramid, elevated from the solid Ryukyu limestone layer, presents a strong and enduring form that appears capable of standing firm, even if the surrounding soil were to erode. The enclosed pyramid provides not only structural stability but also a sense of privacy and dignity. In response to the site’s conditions, openings in the foundation and roof were introduced in a limited manner, allowing for a tranquil interior environment while preserving the integrity of the stable form.

The interior layout follows a simple composition. The first level contains the entrance and bathroom, arranged to efficiently consolidate plumbing functions. The second level, positioned one meter lower, includes the living and dining areas along with a study. The third and rearmost level houses the bedroom and other private rooms. The design intent was to establish a living environment that maintains close contact with wooden elements beneath a skylight, all enclosed within a concrete structure that evokes the atmosphere of a ruin.

Traditional tombs in Okinawa are remarkable structures, built to endure the region’s harsh climate and last for generations. These tombs function as places for gathering, celebration, and reverence, serving as enduring homes for ancestors and embodying the wisdom, intention, and cultural values passed down through time. The building designed and completed for this project ultimately took on a form reminiscent of a pyramid or tomb. Its shape was determined by considerations related to Okinawa’s climate, prevailing winds, rainfall, surrounding context, and budget constraints. Upon seeing the finished structure, it conveyed a sense of permanence and quiet festivity similar to that found in Okinawan ancestral tombs. While the form may appear unconventional, the concrete residence ultimately expresses a refined character deeply connected to Okinawan tradition.