IGArchitects' pyramid hut residence echoes concrete tombs, japan

pyramid hut house evokes enduring presence of okinawan tombs

IGArchitects carves a monolithic volume out of concrete for its Pyramid Hut located in a residential area in Okinawa, Japan. The house sits on a challenging, gently sloping terrain — hemmed in by neighboring apartment towers and an adjacent cemetery — which led the architects to devise a solution that could balance privacy and permanence while maintaining harmony with its context. Austere in form, yet infused with gentle streams of light and accents of warmth within, it takes cues from traditional Okinawan tombs while responding to the regional climate. Its square pyramid silhouette is carefully placed atop a foundation of durable Ryukyu limestone clogs, slightly lifted to protect against potential erosion.

all images by Ooki Jingu

igarchitects splits the narrow home across three levels

In response to the site constraints, IGArchitects sought to create a design that favors a closed, dignified structure, differentiating itself from the local architecture style which is defined by large openings. To complement the narrow, sloping site, the Japanese architects sought to foster intimacy and a vast sense of scale within the Pyramid Hut, organizing the program into three distinct living levels. Each of the levels gradually steps downward towards the rear, embracing a minimalist layout along the way. The ground floor houses the entrance and a compact bathroom area, efficiently consolidating plumbing. One step down lies the heart of the home — a living and dining area paired with a study — while the uppermost level is reserved for private spaces, including the residing couple’s bedroom.

Throughout, the architects envisioned a timeless form capable of enduring changing ownership and purposes, much like Okinawa’s ancestral tombs. These tombs are designed to withstand the island’s harsh climate and function as cultural spaces for reverence and gathering, with a sense of permanence and dignity echoed by the Pyramid Hut. ‘We envisioned a building with a dignified appearance with a bright and austere interior free from external influences. Such architecture has the power and the quality of space that architecture possesses even after its original purpose ends,’ notes the team.

IGArchitects completes Pyramid Hut

soft streams of light soften the concrete mass

In its materiality, the Pyramid Hut further reflects its conceptual roots, enclosed by retaining walls that double as foundation lining, reinforce structural stability, and integrate the structure into the natural contours of the site. Within, IGArchitects has utilized wooden elements under a skylight to soften the concrete mass, creating a warm, livable atmosphere that contrasts with the rigidity of the exterior form. This thoughtful interplay between light and material evokes the enduring presence of a sacred ruin, creating a home with a monumental presence that remains sensitive to and shielded from its urban context.

a house shaped entirely from concrete