chidori studio revives japanese machiya through industrial lens

creating a Borrowed landscape

Chidori Studio sites this Hokuriku Residence No.3 in Hakusan, a place found at the foot of Mount Hakusan, one of Japan‘s three sacred mountains. The dwelling was designed for a young couple who was drawn to the spaciousness and the charm of the old town and approached Chidori Studio with a desire for a single-story home with a large garden and open living areas. The surrounding area has a rich history, evident in the presence of sake breweries, soy sauce production, and traditional industries. A particularity of the site was the vacant plot adjacent to the west, owned by a sake brewery. This offered a glimpse of fields, a small plantation, and distant mountains — a valuable element to incorporate into the design.

Chidori Studio designs Hokuriku Residence No. 3 in Hakusan, Japan | images © Yasuhiro Nakayama

chidori studio learns from the japanese town

To maximize the visual expanse of the courtyard, the architects at Chidori Studio strategically sited Hokuriku Residence No. 3 in an L-shape along the road. This creates a visually expansive space and provides some separation from the busy street beyond. Drawing inspiration from a traditional Japanese gatehouse, the design incorporates a view through the courtyard — from the garage, to the living room, dining room, and kitchen.

The surrounding area presents a mix of architectural styles and functions. Traditional townhouses with matching eaves stand alongside a large, remodeled sake brewery. Modern office buildings and factories share the space, and a future residential development is planned across the street. This dynamic streetscape reflects the ever-evolving character of the area.

the clients sought a single-story home with a large garden and open living areas

a blend of eras and functions

Chidori Studio designed its Hokuriku Residence No. 3 to resonated with the multi-layered nature of its context. The result is a unique blend of elements. The roof shape resembles an enlarged machiya (a traditional Japanese townhouse), while the slope and construction borrow from a warehouse aesthetic. Modern industrial materials are used for the exterior walls and components, while the layout incorporates the adjacent vacant lot as an extension of the property itself. Unlike Hokuriku Residence No. 1, which referenced a specific historical building, Hokuriku Residence No. 3 embraces the dynamism of its surroundings, existing comfortably within the ever-changing tapestry of the town.

the architects strategically placed the building in an L-shape to create a visually expansive courtyard
a view through the courtyard is reminiscent of a traditional Japanese gatehouse
the surrounding area presents a mix of architectural styles and functions