koji kakiuchi: do it yourself

'do it yourself' by koji kakiuchi / yaomitsu designing department in kyoto, japan
all images courtesy koji kakiuchi / yaomitsu designing department


japanese architects koji kakiuchi / yaomitsu designing department has sent us images of
'do it yourself', a small renovation project to a 100 year old house in kyoto, japan.
working together with the client, who has no experience in architecture or remodelling,
the project is an exercise in transferring knowledge to the inhabitants, creating a collective
design that the client can maintain as well as live in.



interior view of living room


situated between two adjacent buildings, the 56 m2 house lacked structural integrity and
leaned to one side. instead of reinforcing the existing walls, the design inserts rectangular frames
inside the original framework, strengthening the house as well as creating new venues of
ventilation and lighting. a portion of the ground floor ceiling was removed to result in a void
that aided natural air flow as well as a mezzanine-like level that overlooks the space below.



view of the porch from living room


in addition to providing structural aid, the new rectangular frames define and divide
the individual programs in a linear fashion. a small kitchen sits in the centre of the layout
flanked by two wooden units that maintain a sense of continuity. the visual effect of the layered
frames add depth and dimension to the simple arrangement. the upper level, which accommodates
a loft bedroom, benefits from natural daylight entering from the ground floor. a thin white cloth
running along the ceiling of the house creates a complimentary contrast between the new design
and antique house while establishing a visual connection between levels.




view from the upstairs bedroom



white cloth lining the ceiling



(left) kitchen
(right) master bedroom on ground floor



entryway



(left) stairs leading up to upper bedroom
(right) back entrance



entrance at night



street face before renovation



during construction






floor plan / level 0 / before renovation



floor plan / level +1 / before renovation



floor plan / level 0 - after renovation



floor plan / level +1 / after renovation



section


project info:

site area: 56.00 m2
total floor area: 59.03 m2

structural engineer: satoru shimoyama
contractor: shin morita
collaborator: kumakura kensho