We renovated a 50-year-old vintage apartment in Ichibancho, Tokyo, near Chidorigafuchi, for rental use. The apartment, with a total floor space of 140 sqm, was impressive, with all windows facing southwest and surrounded by lush greenery. This renovation was also influenced significantly by the age of the building and the low ceilings.
Upon opening the entrance door, visitors are greeted by light-colored solid wood flooring. A textile screen in front that looks like a shoji screen opens into a study with a beautiful grid of shelves and a desk counter. By keeping the screen open, the flat appears to exist in a pleasant green space as soon as you open the front door.
The living-dining area, located on the most southerly side of the house, is a spacious and pleasant area of 50 sqm. As the ceiling height is low, we installed a low bench by the window to propose a modern way of living while lowering the eye line slightly. The living-dining area and kitchen were also planned next to each other to meet the needs of hosting home parties.
On the north side of the study, there are functional areas such as bathrooms and bedrooms, and on the south side, a space where families and guests can gather. While separating these areas, the planning was not to completely divide them but to create a large passageway crossing the house from north to south, allowing each person to feel the presence of the house without being overwhelmed by it.