architecture shaped by rainfall on yakushima
NOT A HOTEL announces Sound of Rain as the winner of its 2026 design competition, a proposal envisioned by Australian architect Steven Chu of Artefact Architects. The boutique hotel, with its bowl-like rooftop, is set to rise on Yakushima, a forested island off the southern coast of Kyushu, Japan. Conceived for a UNESCO World Heritage landscape shaped by constant precipitation, the project begins with a simple premise: rain is a condition that defines how architecture is formed, inhabited, and understood.
The competition called for a hybrid between private residence and hospitality, asking architects under 40 to engage directly with Yakushima’s terrain. Chu’s response treats rainfall as a spatial driver. Rather than resisting the island’s climate, the design accepts it as a steady presence, allowing water to guide both form and experience across the site.
visualizations © Steven Chu
a roof that gathers and releases water
The design of NOT A HOTEL‘s competition winner, Sound of Rain, is characterized by a broad, hovering rooftop which collects rainfall and releases it along its perimeter. Water traces the edge in a continuous line, forming a shifting boundary between interior and exterior. This controlled descent of rain gives the building a clear structure, where circulation paths, sheltered zones, and open terraces align with the movement of water.
The roof appears thin and expansive, extending beyond the enclosed spaces below. Its curvature directs runoff toward specific points, where it falls in steady sheets. The effect is both practical and atmospheric. The building moderates rainfall while making its presence legible, turning an environmental constant into a design tool.
Sound of Rain wins the NOT A HOTEL Design Competition 2026 set on Yakushima
inhabiting the threshold between shelter and landscape
Architect Steven Chu organizes the Sound of Rain’s floor plan around a sequence of thresholds, rather than enclosed rooms. A circular terrace with a sunken fire element anchors the main living space, opening toward distant ocean views. Adjacent areas remain partially exposed, allowing air and moisture to pass through while maintaining a sense of enclosure defined by the roof above.
Inside, the materials remain restrained. Smooth surfaces curve gently to guide movement, while glass openings frame the surrounding forest and coastline. A bedroom sits along the perimeter, positioned to receive filtered light and the steady sound of rain. The atmosphere shifts throughout the day as weather conditions change, giving each space a distinct character shaped by water, light, and temperature.
a wide curved roof gathers rainwater and releases it along its perimeter
explore the not a hotel design competition
Sound of Rain was selected from 1,058 entries submitted from 112 countries and regions, marking a significant moment for the NOT A HOTEL platform, which continues to commission architecture that engages directly with place. The jury, including Bjarke Ingels, Sou Fujimoto, and Masamichi Katayama, recognized the proposal for its ability to connect environment, structure, and hospitality into a cohesive concept. Explore other submissions to this year’s design competition here!
the project integrates a home and hospitality program within Yakushima’s forested UNESCO landscape
a circular outdoor space with a sunken fire element anchors the main living area
project info:
name: Sound of Rain
architect: Artefact Architects | @artefactarchitects
brand: NOT A HOTEL | @notahotel_official
lead architect: Steven Chu
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