棲居美學28 【房間參觀】一位建築師翻新了一棟已有50年曆史的二手房。這是一棟新舊交融的住宅，打造出一個高挑的屋頂，讓自然光線傾瀉而入

Even after 100 years, we carefully selected materials that preserve a beauty unswayed by the tides of time. Rather than transforming it completely, I aimed to preserve certain elements deliberately, so that this building could be cherished for a long time to come. Hello, please come in. I am Shota Kuwana, an architect. I run an architectural office in Fukushima Prefecture. I am Shigeko Kuwana. I design innovations and oversee operations on the ground. This house is a 50-year-old single-family home purchased by the owner, featuring a plot area of approximately 600 square meters and a total floor area of 163 square meters, constructed as a concrete four-room, living-dining-kitchen (4LDK) building. I aimed to create a home that would never lose its appeal even after 50 years, so I took charge of the overall design, while my wife primarily handled the detailed design and usability aspects during the renovation. Even after 100 years, we carefully selected materials that preserve a beauty unswayed by the tides of time. Since I wanted to live in a place typical of Fukushima, I was looking for a location adjacent to an orchard, in a fruit-producing region, with a view of the mountains nearby. Originally, I had also planned to build a new house. After initially deciding, I didn't immediately commit but instead spent about a year looking elsewhere. However, I never came across a place better than this one. Moreover, since my wife had originally wanted to renovate an old house, we decided to purchase this one. Although we haven't made any major changes to the layout, we've discussed and thought of various ideas together as a couple, aiming to achieve maximum impact simply by changing colors and materials. I would be happy if this were helpful to those considering the purchase of a used property or renovation. Originally a pure white shell wall, it gave the impression of standing out from its surroundings. Thus, I focused entirely on using earth tones in dark shades to blend harmoniously with the surrounding peach orchards and mountainscapes. Since I live a two-location lifestyle between Tokyo and elsewhere, Fukushima isn't difficult to access, and it's very convenient to come and go. I really like it because the property is spacious, allowing for a relaxed lifestyle, and I can enjoy the scenic beauty of the four seasons. Originally, the area in front of the entrance and the garden to the south were mainly planted with Japanese-style plants, resembling a Japanese garden. Since this gave an impression somewhat inconsistent with the exterior, Western-style landscaping that complements a modern atmosphere was also incorporated. I redesigned it to better match the exterior appearance and landscaping by laying down small stones and other details. This is the entrance. Originally, the wall on this side of the entrance was made of stone, but Since it wasn't quite to their liking, they changed it to white pigment-mixed mortar finish. And this one was a large shoe cabinet stretching all the way up to the ceiling, but Since we're a family of two, we didn't need much storage space on top, so we removed the upper section and kept only the lower one. By creating shelf space, we display souvenirs and items we like from various places we've visited, since both of us enjoy traveling. This wall surface was originally plywood, but The walls are clad with solid mahogany boards, and the doors are similarly covered with matching solid boards, creating a seamless, unified wall appearance. By removing the storage unit above, more light is now able to enter from the glass surface here. Since the front door faces east, morning sunlight comes in more easily. It is a restroom adjacent to the entrance hall. Since this area is also used by customers, I've installed a larger sink so they can wash their hands. I'm using a very old, cute retro-style white item resembling a yu-jo style, creating an atmosphere that's quite rare to see. Staining and kitchen. It wasn't just this place—it was my intention to seamlessly blend the entire house, so that one couldn't tell where the new parts ended and the old ones began. I didn't do anything particularly special, but I carefully selected the materials so that the best aspects of both the old and the new could be clearly reflected. The cabinet here, we're keeping this one too—although the labor cost is high, we're using the existing one. We're using existing parts, but since we noticed some dirt, we've sanded them down ourselves and given them a fresh clear coat. I've also changed the snacks to give it a slightly different impression. I wanted to keep the floor plan unchanged, but I wanted to make the refrigerator and microwave red. I've built an L-shaped wall here and store all sorts of miscellaneous items behind it. Since I didn't want the kitchen to feel separate from the rest of the room, I designed it to blend in like furniture, making it part of the space. I thought that if I applied tiles or kitchen panels to the wall, it would become a separate kitchen space as well. The wall is finished with white mortar, coated with a clear protective layer to enhance functionality and prevent stains. The kitchen has been completely expanded, and for the materials, those that do not show stains easily have been used. Moreover, since I wanted a handmade feel, I chose beer stone. The meniscus used below the main body is from Niatō. Here, the dishwasher is concealed, and since a model without a control panel has been chosen, it blends in as part of the furniture. Since I'm not good at cleaning, I've decided to switch to an IH cooker this time. This is a container for seasonings. The seasoning container was very convenient because I could easily take it out and put it back, which made it quite user-friendly. It's placed here considering both usability and appearance, as putting it on top of the counter would make it look spoiled. Here, we place all sorts of messy things, like trash cans. There is a refrigerator on this side, and the water server and microwave are all arranged so they are hidden from view behind the lining. To minimize the visual prominence of the range hood, the upper part is enclosed using the same material as the wall. On the front side of the kitchen, I've selected a rare vintage ceramic piece, and since it's quite low in height, I've designed it to resemble a table. Since I am tall, I set the kitchen counter height higher than usual—90 centimeters. I think one of the good advantages of a built-in kitchen is that it can be adjusted to fit one's own body. This is the sink area, with the bathroom behind and the laundry room opposite. Originally, it was a very spacious bathroom, typical of older homes, so I took advantage of the ample space to create two sinks. We've just built this new wall and are constructing one unit here and another one here. Leveraging the wide opening, I've made a full-wall vanity. Since I wanted to use a hairdryer and do my makeup while sitting down, I designed the sink area like a dressing table, with a chair in mind. Since I wanted to hide the washing machine, I placed it in a back storage-like area instead of the bathroom, using it as a laundry room. The bath was originally a traditional bath commonly found in older homes, so I thought it might not suit us either in terms of cleaning or maintenance, so we went with a unit bath. I installed lighting fixtures that I personally selected by gathering and choosing items from around the world, since I like vintage things. Mirrors are also similarly chosen and installed with vintage ones. This is the living room. The space is approximately 10 tatami mats in size. The one place in this living space that was greatly changed is that, although there was originally a ceiling, By dismantling it and connecting it to the second floor, I created an open-concept space. I didn't plan this open space before starting the work. Having actually purchased the property, and having visited here many times since then, The 1.5-story volume on the east side gave the impression that light didn't quite enter easily. Therefore, based on the idea generated within it, we decided to create an open space to allow light from above to enter. I was puzzled about where to make the hole when creating this open space. Since it connects to the second floor, we also considered how to make the most of this second-floor space, and decided on the location for creating an open atrium. Since concrete becomes a solid and imposes structural constraints, we proceeded with our considerations while performing calculations related to that structure. Ultimately, I wanted to create a space on the second floor that allowed for continuous circulation around the area. Thus, we determined the final position. I wanted to preserve the surrounding edge visible on this rim, so I ended up completely dismantling the ceiling. I reworked it similarly and adjusted the fit so that the junction between the wall and ceiling looks neat and clean. This living space is composed of two types of flooring—tiles and hardwood—installed in a divided pattern. I've put some thought into the application method. In renovation projects, due to existing double distortions and built-in furniture, small components often end up being significantly larger than expected. As a measure to correct such distortions, we first applied flooring around the perimeter—covering the entire four sides—and then installed tiles on the inner side. This is something we also handle on-site supervision, and it has also generated effects in reducing leftover materials and cutting costs. Regarding how to trim these tiles and flooring, Moreover, since this building is 50 years old, I wanted to use materials that have been traditionally used for a long time, as if they had always been in use. Therefore, this tile uses a product called "Clinker Tile" by Asahi Sugar. Moreover, the trimmed edge of the flooring uses solid mahogany boards identical to those in the entranceway. When choosing interior design and furniture, I especially try to select things I personally like, regardless of country or era. I've heard this rug, newly acquired for this house, was woven 50 years ago by Yuki Tamaki. As I select items that suit this house, I get the impression that more and more things from the era when this house was built are being added. When matching it with existing cabinets and similar items, I think it's unified with a calm, harmonious color scheme. It's precisely this time of year, and facing forward is a vast peach orchard. Since there are many elderly men and women currently working in peach orchards, I spend my time sitting here and gazing at that scenery. I think this is a landscape unique to rural areas, so it must represent a way of life that one cannot experience in cities. Since I can see the mountains from the window, it's nice when it snows or when the new greenery appears, and so on. One of the things I look forward to most is feeling the mountain's embrace. There was a large empty space on this wall in the living room, so I hung up some photos. This photograph is by Yoshiki Yokoyama, a photographer active in Fukushima. I like the color blue, and since there were no blue elements in this house, I bought a painting of the sea. There is a Japanese-style room at the back of the living room, which originally had sliding doors made of fusuma. We have just replaced it with a new glass door, and now there is a greater sense of depth. Regarding the glass door design, two lines are incorporated to align with the two lines of the handrail, creating a sense of overall unity. This is the Japanese-style room. It is 6 tatami mats in size, and it was also a Japanese-style room before. The wall hasn't changed much, but on the existing structure, we're adding things like the ridge pole at the ceiling level. I also repainted the walls with diatomaceous earth, making them look neat. Additionally, I replaced the tatami mats and changed the railings to create a new impression. Normally, I eat meals here, and during winter I watch TV right here, so it's quite a relaxed, lounging space. We made this kotatsu ourselves, and since we made the futon slightly longer, we sometimes lie down on it and nap while staying under the kotatsu. Actually, the air conditioner is installed inside the ceiling storage space in this room, and it's designed to be hidden when not in use. Since it's a 6-tatami room and the air conditioner is excellent, I spend a lot of time here. This is the stairwell. This building features a staggered floor layout, with the staircase area serving as the central hub, allowing access to each floor. Since I originally wanted to preserve the impression of this staircase room, I have continued to use this handrail as it is. The bed originally had carpet installed, but since I wanted to make use of that, I replaced it with new carpet. I'm looking for a material similar to the original and replacing it with one that has a similar color. The white portion, as seen from the exterior, corresponds to this stairwell area. Since I wanted the exterior appearance to reflect the interior experience, I've changed only the color of the exterior wall in this section. The lighting in this room includes one fixture that uses an existing piece with a very rare and interesting shape, so we have retained the original from that time. The lighting fixture installed above is a newly added one. Since the stairwell is very spacious, I chose a larger-scale fixture to create a strong visual impact. This room has the best view in the house, so I've set it up as my workspace where I spend long periods of time. I heard it was originally a child's room, so I had a somewhat cute impression, and thus I haven't done anything too drastic, but I have changed the interior. I selected the materials aiming for an office reminiscent of those seen in old American movies. The floor was carpet, so I changed it to tiles with a slightly dull color. The ceiling and walls are being re-papered with wallpaper. The door has been newly replaced with a mahogany wood panel. The existing storage was made of wooden veneer, but since we couldn't afford much expense, we've only replaced the paint and handles. I'm replacing this, but just changing the knob or altering the color alone can significantly change the impression, so I think it's quite effective. I think it's important to carefully select this part. This room hasn't undergone anything particularly large-scale; I've just adjusted the colors, selected materials, and placed furniture I like to create the desired atmosphere. This table is a gift, and it's part of the Antler series by Tendō Mokkō, based in Yamagata. This lighting is Mr. Yamagiwa's vintage fixture. This chair is part of the Giróflex Pasaar series. The inside is made of wood, making it one of my favorite office chairs in terms of design. But how on earth am I supposed to find a house like this? I can't even picture it. In such cases, turn to Sumo. With Sumo, you can expand your imagination and search for real estate by comparing numerous listings and photos. Real estate purchases: Sumo. This is the walk-in closet on the 1.75th floor. Originally, this room had severe mold on the walls, so dealing with that was by far the most difficult part. Since there was a possibility that mold could still develop even after moving in, I chose lightweight soil material for the interior walls. Since light loam soil has a moisture-regulating effect and absorbs humidity, it may help prevent mold. because I ended up spending my budget on other rooms, leaving no money available for this room I actually wanted something stylish, like a closet with doors, but... In the end, I ran out of room for such luxury, so I just replaced the carpet with the cheapest one available. In innovation, if you overdo it and try to do too many things in every room, the budget inevitably runs out. Where to exert effort room by room, and where to slightly reduce costs, etc. I think it's important to add the assembled parts. This is the second-floor space located above the open-plan living area. This room is used as a personal hobby space where we can freely place our own books, favorite toys, and various other items. This room was originally carpeted, but by removing the carpet, What I also realized after trying to peel it off is that traces of glue have appeared. I thought about how to cleverly preserve this as some kind of design. I'm applying a clear dust-proof coating over the residue of the paste. Since many plants are placed here, the surface has been designed with a texture that allows for quick wiping if it gets dirty during plant watering. When we created the open space, we also newly crafted this handrail. imitating the handrail originally located in the staircase, made from the same species of wood, lauan I redesigned both of these two designs in a similar manner. This place was the spot within the building that received the most sunlight. not so much a space that they always occupy, but rather a place where they put plants, and so on Relaxing on our days off, or something like that I also created space for hobbies such as these. Because I'm collecting the books I like When I'm stuck for ideas, I just gaze around and read old books. I also use it for brainstorming ideas. There's a landing just beyond the top of the stairs. I don't usually go there since it's off my usual daily route. You can go out onto the roof from there. So, when there's a fireworks festival, I sometimes go up to the rooftop to watch the fireworks. I occasionally go out and have meals. Since I actually started living in this house More than ever before, the changes in daily time and so on I began to feel the change of seasons without any guilt. For example, when I wake up in the morning, there's a window in the bedroom. The scenery visible from there, and so on things like waking up feeling refreshed in the morning just from looking at the mountain scenery, and so on The rest is due to the entrance being located on the eastern side. by getting exposure to light before leaving the house My daily motivation has increased more than ever before. The previous residence was not to my liking. I spent time in a house surrounded by Wu Xin Building's doors and floors. Despite usually working repairing customers' homes I feel uneasy about the house where I live. I began to feel that things couldn't go on like this. the desire to renovate an old house and live in it I think it has been gradually getting stronger. Actually moving into this house Of course, since it's an old house, there are inconvenient aspects and occasional problems, but... It's as if one's home and oneself are in harmony. Become accustomed to such feelings I think that was the best thing. I'm currently working as a designer, helping people build their homes. Whenever I really try to look for a house now, Many people prioritize efficiency in layout and traffic flow. Viewed from such a perspective I think this house is quite different and might be rather inconvenient. But for the two of us, That inconvenience itself becomes an enjoyable element. There are views that can only be seen because of the inconvenience. The building itself may have been constructed due to unnecessary walking routes. There are times when one builds a life within everyday routines. I wonder if I'm living a life that allows me to enjoy it. What is cherished at home and I think the space that feels comfortable to me varies from person to person. I think we are living in an era where people are easily swayed by others' opinions and the tide of the times. Treasure the things you love. I think it's important to focus on building a home. It's been about a year since I actually started living in this house. It was the first time I had ever woken up in winter. Being an image made of concrete as well It was extremely cold. Therefore, going forward, I'll be installing a wood-burning stove and so on. I'd like to add a bit more enjoyment to my daily life. The first time I saw this building And after purchasing The designers and builders of that time I could feel that they were very particular about it. It uses materials such as stone, for example. Then there's the use of unvarnished hardwood flooring. Using tiles abundantly and so on I've thought a lot about this building. such that this building can continue to exist for a long period of time I felt that the selection of materials was done thoroughly. Therefore, we too should carry forward that sentiment. the selection of materials that can be used for a long time I carefully selected items as much as possible that would not fade in color. What I felt toward this building was In modern home construction, I felt that many things seemed to be adopted even though they appeared to be wasted. For example, the outer edge or something like that How to fit the finer details There were quite a few little things. In modern home construction, such things as Such as cutting the budget or something like that In striving to appear simple As much as possible, avoid adopting this approach. I thought there might be many places where it's being made. Therefore, regarding such aspects, We are not transforming it by creating something new, but rather By deliberately leaving it behind I aimed to create something that could be loved for a long time. Not living in the old house as it is, but the ability to add modifications and imbue new value I've continued so far feeling the fun of innovation. One of the options for those who will be building a home from now on I hope this is helpful. Before we ourselves purchase a property Over the course of about one year I've decided to purchase this property. I've actually come to see this building about three times during that period. When changing time zones I viewed the interior as much as possible. Rather than viewing the house viewings as happening simultaneously, If possible, visit this place multiple times Due to the difference in time zones The way light enters differs, for example I wonder if the surrounding environment will change or something like that. If possible, do not decide immediately. Visiting the property at different times of day, two or three times. I wonder if this will lead to selecting properties that are less likely to fail. Mr. Matsuda's thoughts on innovation from Shizuoka's Ito City There are many parts I can relate to, such as how the materials are chosen. It was very helpful. Thank you very much today. Please come and visit us during the peach season next time. Thank you very much.