shigeru ban builds paper tube tree hut on yakushima island

shigeru ban builds paper tube tree hut on yakushima island
all images courtesy of shigeru ban architects

nestled in the trees of the national park on yakushima island in kagoshima, japan comfortably sits this mountain lodge designed by japanese architect shigeru ban. the location is part of the ōsumi islands and has been classified as world heritage site due to its ancient tree forest. the mountains are exposed to extremely harsh conditions with the humid subtropical climate reaching one of the world’s heaviest precipitation levels – the structure was rebuilt over the foundations of a dilapidated hut that needed to be demolished. the new building is made predominantly from paper tubes that can easily be replaced if damaged by this natural environment. the exterior consists of a paper tube wall that is filled with transparent ones placed in-between, allowing light to filter through to the interior. slanting downwards from its highest point, the roof helps to drain rain water off the volume. a vertically stacked interior consists of a split level mezzanine and small balcony, giving direct access to the surrounding landscape. similar to a typical ‘tree hut’ the experience helps one to connect with the ancient forest.

the lodge is constructed from paper tubes and consists of a ‘tree hut’ mezzanine level