continuous cloister layout rearranges renovated apartment in japan

the renovation project's main objectives were the creation of an earthen floor studio, optimal use of space, and panoramic views of the river and city.

NOMADOS edited by christina vergopoulou January 17, 2024 3 min

NoMaDoS revives 44-year-old apartment in Morioka

NoMaDoS designs The Cloister Home, a renovation project of a 44-year-old apartment in Morioka, Japan, commissioned by a passionate wooden basket bag weaver. The owner’s requests included an earthen floor studio, optimal use of space, and panoramic views of the river and city. The core living area was strategically placed in a box-like shape at an angle, housing centralized elements like the bathroom and bed. The design introduced gaps between existing walls and the core space, forming a trapezoidal floor plan, and creating a continuous cloister wrapping around. This configuration allows for flexible expansion, offering diverse perspectives of the outdoor scenery. Instead of rigidly compartmentalizing functions, furniture was placed freely to leverage the original spatial features.

continuous cloister layout rearranges renovated apartment in japan - 1 — all images by Kentaro Yoshida

renovation achieves adaptable and functional design

The living space encourages activities like reading in sunlit spots and experiencing varied gradients of living states. NoMaDoS‘ design emphasizes creating an environment that captures the essence of seasonal and landscape transformations. The south-side earthen floor space serves as a multi-functional area—studio, gallery, or dining space. The corridor balances openness with subtle concealment, unveiling deeper spaces progressively. The built-in bed can be enclosed with curtains, transforming it into a secluded, cave-like resting area. Peg walls facilitate flexible mounting of tools, decor, and artworks, contributing to the adaptable and functional design approach.

continuous cloister layout rearranges renovated apartment in japan - 2 — the Cloister Home, a 44-year-old apartment in Morioka, Japan, gets a transformative renovation

continuous cloister layout rearranges renovated apartment in japan - 3 — an earthen floor studio, efficient space use, and views of river and cityscape are the main objectives

continuous cloister layout rearranges renovated apartment in japan - 4 — the living area adopts a box-like shape at an angle, housing key elements like the bathroom and bed

continuous cloister layout rearranges renovated apartment in japan - 5 — introducing gaps between walls and core space forms a trapezoidal floor plan, creating a continuous cloister

the-cloister-home-nomados-japan-designboom-1800-2 — the configuration allows adaptable expansion, providing diverse perspectives of the outdoor scenery

continuous cloister layout rearranges renovated apartment in japan - 6 — a corridor balances openness with gradual unveiling, leading to deeper, concealed spaces

the-cloister-home-nomados-japan-designboom-1800-3 — unlike rigid compartmentalization, furniture is placed freely, leveraging the original spatial features

continuous cloister layout rearranges renovated apartment in japan - 7 — peg walls facilitate flexible mounting of tools, decor, and artworks, contributing to the functional design

project info:

name: The Cloister Home
architect: NoMaDoS | @nomados_architects

design team: Naoya Yoshikawa, Fumi Otosaka, Hikaru Chiba

equipment design: NoMaDoS / Ryosuke Takahashi

lighting design: TILe / Yasuyoshi Iwakabe

construction: EIKOU Corporation

location: Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, Japan

photography: Kentaro Yoshida

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