NOT A HOTEL DESIGN COMPETITION OPENS FOR SUBMISSIONS

Returning for its second year, the NOT A HOTEL DESIGN COMPETITION is now open for entries, inviting architects and creators under 40 to design a villa on the scenic island of Yakushima, a southern Japanese island off the coast of Kagoshima. The competition jury includes BIG’s Founder and Creative Director Bjarke Ingels, architect Sou Fujimoto, and interior designer Masamichi Katayama. The winner will be announced in March 2026 and awarded a ¥10 million prize, with the design brought to life by NOT A HOTEL on Yakushima Island.