koji aoki juxtaposes old and new fragments of house in chofu

koji aoki juxtaposes old and new fragments of house in chofu
photo © anna nagai
all images courtesy of koji aoki architects

during a major renovation to a house in chofu, japan, koji aoki architects has expressed the existing and new building elements in contrasting ways. the structure’s old lumber framework is largely exposed and untreated, while added objects, such as staircases, guardrails, bookshelves, doors, lamps, ceiling finishes, etc., have been treated in stark white. the clear juxtaposition of such ‘fragments’ is done in an attempt to create a stronger relationship between an individual and the space he/she occupies.

half of the upper story’s ceiling is treated in white, while the other exposes the existing plywood
photo © takeshi yamagishi

architect koji aoki used the existing structure and building elements as expressive components within the adaptation process, serving as a basic framework for attachment of new pieces. he states (as translated by hideto chijiwa), ‘I aspired to recapture history not as an archaic specimen of the past but as living architectural elements.’

the resulting approach, of identifying building elements as new or old, is also cognizant of the relationship objects have with time in regard to how spaces are used and experienced. he continues, ‘each architectural element, in the likes of beams and columns, within the house plays a fundamental role in shaping how one lives.’

a new staircase attaches to the existing structure
photo © takeshi yamagishi

the exposure of the house’s lumber framework, both in interior and exterior walls as well as floor levels, acts to link separate spaces of the dwelling together. added ‘new’ fragments only help to support this connectivity, and produce – in the architect’s assertion – a layout less bound to fixed program and more open to variation. koji aoki remarks, ‘varieties of everyday scenes emerge from and within the relationship scattered throughout the space, traversing major spatial zonings such as living/dining rooms. day to day users relate to space to discover the rich and diverse comprehensions filled in life.’

photo © takeshi yamagishi

exposed framing allows for increased spatial connectivity between levels
photo © takeshi yamagishi

photo © anna nagai

the renovation work opened up an exterior wall to provide increased daylight to the kitchen
photo © anna nagai

photo © takeshi yamagishi

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project info:

location: chofu, tokyo
design dates: 01.2013 — 10.2013
construction dates: 11.2013 — 04.2014
collaborator: RGB structure
photography: takeshi yamagishi, anna nagai
text translation: hideto chijiwa