A renovation of a reinforced concrete apartment approximately 40 years old. Under constraints that prevent major changes to the locations of plumbing and circulation, the project accepts the existing framework while reconfiguring the flexibility of living by making the use of space itself variable.
Taking the centrally located entrance and existing circulation as a starting point, the living and dining areas are secured as a continuous open space, while the bedroom and workspace are gently separated by curtains. Rather than relying on fixed walls, the relationships between spaces shift according to daily life, enabling both spatial openness and diverse uses within a limited floor area.
Movable furniture made of galvanized steel is dispersed throughout the interior, designed to traverse multiple roles such as storage, partition, and fixture. Instead of prescribing fixed functions, these elements are positioned as devices that can be continually reinterpreted through everyday use.
The entrance and corridor are expanded beyond mere circulation into surplus space that can accommodate work and display, introducing a sense of exteriority and publicness into the domestic environment.
Storage is embedded into architectural elements such as the floor and columns, minimizing its presence while securing capacity. In contrast, elements like column storage deliberately assert volume, creating spatial articulation. This contrast between function and form adds strength to what might otherwise become a monotonous one-room configuration.
Light is softly diffused through FRP sliding doors and openings, allowing the atmosphere of the space to shift over time. Ceiling lighting is kept as unobtrusive as possible, maintaining the integrity of the ceiling plane while creating a calm luminous environment.
Finishes unify the space through a consistent material palette, while subtle variations in color gently articulate different zones. Existing rounded (R) details are preserved and echoed in the furniture, establishing continuity and a cohesive spatial language.
Rather than manipulating a fixed layout, the project aims to create a living environment in which relationships are continuously updated through movable elements and a consistent material logic.
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USE mansion renovation SITE Kita-ku,Tokyo-to,Japan COMPLETION 2024 DESIGNER Takuya Yamamoto CONSTRUCTION Backs Inc. / studio HOHO PHOTOGRAPH Kenichi Inagaki / Tomoko Rikimaru
