airbnb + go hasegawa's yoshino cedar house vision to become bookable listing

house vision 2016 tokyo: airbnb is the first western company to be invited to participate in the second edition of house vision, an exhibition curated by japanese designer kenya hara, bringing together renowned names in the design and architecture industry to present ideas on the future of the home. the ‘yoshino-sugi cedar house’ is the first outcome of airbnb’s newly created multi-disciplinary innovation and design studio: samara. together with tokyo-based architect go hasegawa, the scheme focuses on a narrative directed at the town of yoshino in the nara prefecture.

all images courtesy of airbnb / house vision 2
image © edward caruso

go hasegawa chose to use of yoshino cedar wood as the prominent material throughout the exterior and interior envelope of the build. the aim is for the scheme to foster new relationships in the town use architecture to engender a deeper relationship between hosts and guests. the first floor has been designed as an inviting open space, while the upper-level gabled-roof loft would cater to visitors and overnight guests. when the exhibit finishes, the cedar house will be relocated to a riverside location in yoshino and registered on airbnb as listing. in turn, it will be maintained by the village and proceeds earned from the guests will be used to strengthen the cultural legacy and future of the area, which has struggled as younger generations migrate away from rural towns.

after its relocation, it will be maintained by the village & proceeds earned will be used to strengthen the cultural legacy
image © edward caruso

‘we believe healthy communities are those that support each other, and we’re inventing new pathways to enable this,’ comments joe gebbia, airbnb co-founder. ‘samara will give us even more experimental space to apply what we’ve learned over the last eight years and pioneer services for connection, commerce, and social change within and around the expanding airbnb community.’

a suspended staircase leads up to the lofted rooms