Designed by ISHIKAWASAMBO, in collaboration with Atelier Implexe, IWADO BASE is an outdoor facility that brings nature and people together. Tucked within a UNESCO Global Geopark, the owner envisioned revitalizing the region through an attractive complex that would reimagine the outdoor experience. 

Ryo Ishikawa and Mars Sambo, the duo behind the architecture firm responsible for the project, share, “From the beginning, our goal wasn’t to design a destination—it was to protect an atmosphere.” This half-Filipino-led project has been selected in the Architecture category for Japan’s Good Design Awards 2025. Sambo, a Filipino interior designer based in Japan, is among the few Filipinos who have been recognized for this design award.  

ISHIKAWASAMBO describes the complex as a “space that lets people step into nature without sacrificing comfort and the landscape that makes it special.” As a result, IWADO BASE is designed with restraint to highlight and respect the natural beauty of the Tottori coastline. 

Nature in Design

Situated on the Iwado Coast in the San’in Coast National Park, just east of the Tottori Sand Dunes, the facility is inspired by its surrounding nature. The San’in Coast stretches approximately 75 kilometers, extending from Kyotango City in Kyoto Prefecture to the east and Tottori City in Tottori Prefecture to the west. 

Along the coastline, one can witness the natural wonders it holds, such as the cliffs, caves, and reefs. Formed through wave erosion and sand carried by the river, the Tottori Sand Dunes’ unique terrain is an integral characteristic of the national park’s landscape. 

Within the facility, the architects, along with the landscape designers, built a microtopography: the small-scale variations in terrain create a mosaic of hummocks and hollows. Meanwhile, the facility utilized the prevailing northwesterly winds (“wind paths”) as a resource to generate a landform reminiscent of the ripples created by the wind. “Good design often begins with a feeling. For us, it began with [the] wind,” writes Sambo. 

Clad in weather-resistant panels, the main structure takes on a shade of blue that mirrors both sky and sea. Not only was nature used as a source of inspiration, but the designers also drew from local architecture, seen in the exterior gable roof that creates continuity with the surrounding residences. 

The structure is fully integrated into the unique topography of the natural national monument of coastal dunes. This sensitive landscape, with its wind ripples and sand curtains, directly informs the structural design, transforming the building into a gateway for guests to experience the grander environment.

Materials are kept natural and bare, such as the wooden vertical posts framing the structure, to let the natural environment speak for itself. Sambo states, “We didn’t want to overdesign… They’re not here to stay in, they’re here to be out there. Our job was to give [guests] just enough: a warm place to pause, to rest, and to reconnect.”

Revitalizing a Local Community

Taking advantage of the environment, IWADO BASE offers a range of outdoor activities. To the east of the structure are the barrel saunas, where wooden dividers are placed to provide privacy for guests. On the campsite, guests can rent out items for a BBQ, such as grills, tableware, chairs, and cooking utensils. Additionally, rental items such as mats and lanterns are provided, so guests can lie down and gaze at the starry sky. Cited as a “glamping retreat,” these amenities place Tottorri at the center of every activity.

In front of the main structure is the tent area, where clusters of “green islands” were strategically placed to provide wind protection and shade to campers. The Tottori Sand Dunes are a designated special protection area, prohibiting any acts deemed harmful to the environment—including camping on the sand dunes. As such, the facility offers guests the opportunity to experience a scaled-down version of camping, with various tent options available to accommodate a range of needs. 

The complex also offers a variety of activities that cater to every tempo. Guests can opt for the serene, solo glide of a stand-up paddleboard or the high-energy, communal thrill of a banana boat. For those with a boat license, jet skis are also available to rent via a partnership with Jet Park Inn Tottori.

Balancing its physical activities, the complex also nurtures the community’s creative spirit. Programs like the Wonder Workshop—an English-taught art class for children 6-10—cultivate a vibrant local scene by giving youth a dedicated space for imaginative exploration.

A Call for Restraint

ISHIKAWA SAMBO asserts that IWADO BASE is “architecture without ego. A place where design supports nature, and where the wild beauty of Tottori is always the main event.” The designers successfully created a complex where each space fosters a sense of community while keeping guests connected to the environment.

“IWADO BASE was never meant to be loud,” Sambo explains. “It was meant to be felt… A quiet that became the design.” Guests are witness to a course on restraint in design, where the facility is meant to merely support the natural surroundings as the main experience. 

Images courtesy of ISHIKAWASAMBO

Read More: The Playhouse: Exploring a Unique Home in Yokohama

Filipino Contemporary Artist Ronald Ventura on Reinvention and Layered Identity

Ronald Ventura is one of the most recognizable figures in Southeast Asian contemporary art. Since his first solo exhibitions in the 2000s, Ventura has become known for his signature multi-layered paintings. Featuring hyperrealism, cartoons, graffiti, and other recurring motifs, hisworks—from paintings to sculptures—are pluralistic in both form and material. Throughout his career, his art has […]

Jose Siao Ling: An Architectural Legacy Founded on Integrity

As the built environment evolves, the role of the architect demands reconsideration. For Jose Siao Ling, Co-Founder and Principal Architect of Jose Siao Ling & Associates (JSLA Architects), the role extends far beyond being a licensed professional who designs and oversees construction. By championing ethical practice, ISO-certified systems, and mentorship-driven leadership, he built a firm […]

How FotomotoPH Turned the Paseo Underpass in Makati into an Art Exhibit

Public spaces in Metro Manila are often defined by movement rather than pause. People in transit hurry through; the underpass is a shortcut, not a place to stop.  Underground, the installation by photography group FotomotoPH, reimagined the Paseo Underpass as a visual experience. FotomotoPH is a Philippine-based photography collective dedicated to promoting, exhibiting, and fostering […]

Ito Kish on Balancing Minimalism and Depth This Season

Born and raised in San Pablo City, Laguna, Ito Kish made a name for himself through residential and commercial design, as well as curatorial work. This new season, built on the idea of Filipino Culture Meets Global Curiosity, unfolds both as a composed showroom environment and a new collection shaped by stillness and balance. A […]

On Breakthroughs: Architect Pierre Briones on Establishing His Name in Architecture 

Breaking through in their respective careers is a daunting task for any young professional. For Architect Pierre Briones, architecture has always been an intentional pursuit. Having spent much of his childhood around construction sites, Briones’s environment shaped his interest in architecture, including his fascination with how structures and buildings are built. “Choosing architecture was never […]