This project is the renovation of a rental unit manufactured by a house builder and approximately 20 years old. As typical rental properties age, their architectural appeal tends to diminish, and simple restorative repairs to return them to their prior condition are insufficient to arrest declines in rent and occupancy. From a long-term perspective, it becomes necessary at some point—despite the cost—to carry out a fundamental renovation including a redesign, converting the asset into a property with durable value. We reconfigured a conventional studio into a layout that is as simple and as flexibly usable as possible, placing a long table—serving multi-functionally as kitchen workspace, dining surface, and desk—at the heart of the space. The unit bath that faced the corridor was reworked during equipment renewal to provide a dedicated washroom and dressing area. By specifying tactile, characterful finishes such as solid oak plank flooring, a timber deck, and a mortar floor, and by using site-fabricated wooden joinery, the space was transformed into one that will serve occupants better and for a longer period.
Building type / Multi-unit residential
Design area / 6.5 tsubo [21 m2]
Design supervision / Yoshihiro Yamamoto [YYAA] Construction / Yamamoto An Builders Photography / Keishiro Yamada [YFT]
LIXIL x Houzz “Living in the Kitchen” Contest — Special Jury Prize / 2016