This project involves rebuilding an old house in Kyoto Prefecture, located near the Japanese city and surrounded by farmland and bamboo forests. Historically, the area has been defined by stone walls and traditional rural courtyards, each featuring a main house accompanied by several smaller buildings, forming a cohesive whole.
However, in recent years, rapid urbanization in central Kyoto has led to the demolition of many farmhouse-style houses. The land has since been subdivided into historic and new residences without regard for the area’s historical context.
When designing new residences in such areas, the key challenge is to blend the historical timeline with modern living, creating a new lifestyle that harmoniously balances both.
Traditional farmhouse-style homes have two defining features: a spacious living area that includes open spaces and fields for agricultural tasks, and a layered complex of buildings centered around the main house. These characteristics are deeply connected to the local lifestyle and history.
In contrast, modern residential living tends to break down the hierarchical structure centered around the main farmhouse, favoring a series of open, neutral, and flexible living spaces.
As a result, modern housing clusters no longer follow the hierarchical connections typical of old farmhouse complexes. Instead, these clusters intersect and merge, creating a large, integrated living space. This layout can be described as a Japanese-style courtyard, inspired by agricultural settlements.
By integrating the unique regional lifestyle with both historical and modern village living centered on traditional agriculture, this project connects contemporary housing with local traditions, aiming to expand living spaces within the urban context.
Project Drawings
△ Analysis Chart
△ Exploded Diagram
△ General Layout Plan
△ Plan View
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Sectional Perspective
△ Detailed Structural Drawing
Project Information
Architect: Tomohiro Hata Architect and Associates
Area: 260 m²
Project Year: 2023
Photographer: Toshiyuki Yano
Lead Architects: Tomohiro Hata, Kazuki Kimura, Misato Takagi
Structural Engineer: Takashi Manda Structural Design, Takashi Manda
General Contractor: Asa Kenchiku Co., Ltd
Location: Kyoto, Japan
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up