Town house in Sawaragicho

Kyoto, Japan
Photo © Yutaka Kinumaki

A remodel of an 80-year-old Kyoto “machiya,” or town house. By fitting a box made from 28mm plywood inside the existing frame, the architects achieved structural reinforcement and at the same time created a new room. Their aim was to use the contrast between the newly-added box and the existing structure to resuscitate the machiya’s essential appeal: a traditional house becomes modern through the use of new architectural technology.

Photo © Yutaka Kinumaki
Photo © Yutaka Kinumaki
Photo © Yutaka Kinumaki
Photo © Yutaka Kinumaki
Photo © Yutaka Kinumaki
Photo © Yutaka Kinumaki
Photo © Yutaka Kinumaki
Photo © Yutaka Kinumaki
Photo © Yutaka Kinumaki

Other Projects by 荒谷省午建築研究所 

Renovation Residences in Maya
Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
Tomigaoka Residence
Nara Prefecture, Japan
Riziere
Shiga, Japan
House in Tendai
Kyoto, Japan
K House
Osaka, Japan