Introducing Demolish, Construct, Inhabit, Restore in a Rental Apartment | utakata, a custom-built home example by Yoshihiro Yamamoto Architects Associates, a Architect / Design office in 302, Zeniya Honpo Main Building, 14-6 Ishigatsujichō, Tennōji-ku, Osaka

Renovation by occupants is normally not permitted in rental apartments. In this instance, however, we leveraged the mobility of a design office: measured surveys and design proposals were carried out prior to concluding the lease, and a presentation to the real estate agency and the apartment owner secured their approval for the works. Through further negotiation with the agency, the security deposit was allocated to the construction budget, and by performing nearly all works as self‑construction, the renovation was realized with an effective construction cost of ¥0. The tenant vacated in 2012. Because this was a rental, the space was reinstated to its original condition and returned to the owner, bringing to an end its role as a temporary, two‑year ephemeral (utakata) SOHO. This project demonstrates the use of a rental apartment through self‑renovation and constitutes a rare Before‑After‑Before experiment. Structural system/scale | Reinforced concrete (RC) — 4th floor of a 4‑storey building. Construction area | 12 tsubo [40 m2]. Design supervision & construction | Yoshihiro Yamamoto [yyaa]. Furniture cooperation | [greenforest].