Muuru

Special Exhibition | August 4, 2026

"Muuru," a hub for tourism and activities, has been completed within the Amami Islands National Park. From the rooftop terrace, you can enjoy panoramic views of the horizon and a sense of oneness with the sea and sky. ©Takumi Ota
A slightly sloping wall. The architecture, firmly rooted in the earth, exudes a sense of solidity, yet simultaneously possesses a light, airy quality reminiscent of a sea breeze. ©Takumi Ota
Office and shop spaces created within the facility. Light and sea breezes can be felt through openings and slits placed throughout. ©Takumi Ota

A shelter that aims to be a haven for people, a place to connect with nature.

Yoron Island, surrounded by the beautiful sea at the southern tip of Kagoshima Prefecture, is home to a complex facility that functions as a hub for design, art, and community, housing a cafe, gallery, and offices. The architecture, interior, and product design were handled by Kensaku Oshiro, a designer based in Milan, Italy. Architect Toshiyuki Igarashi, based in Okinawa, also participated in the design. The minimalist and rugged concrete building, integrated into the earth by being embedded underground, serves as a "shelter" from the island's harsh natural environment, including strong sunlight and shadows, and typhoons. The walls surrounding the building are slightly sloped, which adjusts the angle of light incidence and wind reception while simultaneously opening the building to nature. The windows and openings are designed to painterly frame the landscape of Yoron Island. The lounge chairs designed specifically for this building bring a warmth and softness, almost tropical, to the otherwise rigid space.

Muuru
・Architect :Kensaku Oshiro,Toshiyuki Igarashi(STUDIO COCHI ARCHITECTS）
・Location : 10-7 Furuzato, Yoron-cho, Oshima-gun, Kagoshima Prefecture
・Use : Tourist facilities
・Completed : 2025

Text: Yoshinao Yamada