an observation room protrudes from the Tetra Works rental villa in Hiroshima

Setouchi Hidden Retreat Resort AMERI by tetra works

Japanese Architecture firm Tetra Works is building a two-story rental villa, spanning approximately 160 square meters, on the remote island of Hyakushima, off the coast of Onomichi town in Hiroshima. Named Setouchi Hidden Retreat Resort AMERI, the project hopes to revive the once-prosperous district in the northwest of the island, now plagued by a dwindling population (currently 400 residents), as well as land and buildings abandoned, scattered and inactive for many years.

all images © Shotaro Kaide Photography

revive and celebrate the charm of the island

To revitalize this area and ultimately Hyakushima Island, local authorities launched initiatives to use and activate these lands and buildings, leading to Tetra Works (see more here) to join these efforts and complete the Setouchi Hidden Retreat Resort AMERI. As the planned site is approximately 30 meters from the sandy beach of the Seto Inland Sea, efforts were made to maximize the charm of the island through the morphology and layout of the building. A key feature is to maximize sea views for visitors in the rooms by providing an elevated viewing room from the ground floor with panoramic frames of the opposite shore. This observation room even extends beyond the exterior perimeter, creating a playful wooden volume.

Setouchi Hidden Retreat Resort AMERI by Tetra Works

Complementing the observation room, an outdoor space housing a small jacuzzi terrace and surrounded by a wooden fence on the west side of the AMERI complex, extends the functionality through connections with the interior space and large horizontal openings. While wood and concrete intertwine in the living spaces, a rock covering takes over the terrace, recalling the unique coastal morphology of the island. ‘The architecture aims to exploit the charm of the island, contributing to its revitalization and hoping to pass this contribution on to future generations. concludes Tetra Works.

protruding observation room

outdoor space

first floor with large horizontal openings