Tokyo-based Klein Dytham Architecture has designed PokoPoko as a clubhouse and activity centre surrounded by forest for the Risonare Nasu hotel in rural Japan.
Built near the town of Nasu in the shadow of the Mount Nasu volcanoes, the clubhouse is set within a forest clearing between the hotel's two existing accommodation blocks.
The PokoPoko clubhouse is part of the Risonare Nasu hotel
"The concept of the project was to create a fairytale building in a clearing of the forest," said Klein Dytham Architecture co-founder Mark Dytham.
"We wanted the building to peek out between the trees and become an icon in the forest, as well as a landmark for the hotel when seen from the road that leads up to it," he told Dezeen.
It is set in a forest clearing. Photo by Mark Dytham Located on a pathway that connects the hotel's two locations, PokoPoko is made up of three connected timber cones that give the structure a distinctive outline.
This form can be seen poking above the surrounding trees of the hotel from the road approaching the complex.
"The clubhouse derives its form from the Japanese word poko-poko, which is onomatopoeic and means the sound of popping up ? rather like a bamboo shoot popping up from amongst the trees," explained Dytham.
PokoPoko is made of three timber cones. Photo is by Brian Scott Peterson
PokoPoko will be used as an activity centre and space for the hotel's guests to relax. Each of the three cones was designed to have its own...