mori House / ROOVICESave this picture! Akira NakamuraHousesTokyo, JapanArchitects: ROOVICEAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:60 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2023 PhotographsPhotographs:Akira NakamuraManufacturersBrands with products used in this architecture project Manufacturers: Electrolux, Ikea, LIXIL, Shigeru, Toli, Yabuhara, toolbox Lead Architects: Natsuki Murakami More SpecsLess SpecsText description provided by the architects. The mori House, a 60-year-old, two-storey wooden residence situated in the ta ward of Tokyo, stands as a testament to the architectural heritage of the area. This dwelling encapsulates a retro aesthetic that harmonizes seamlessly with its surroundings.Save this picture!Save this picture!Having housed a long-term tenant, the property then faced a period of over 10 years of vacancy due to its age and the owner's concerns over marketability. In a fortuitous turn of events, the property owner became acquainted with our Kariage initiative and chose to engage with it. This initiative specializes in revitalizing and subleasing aging, unoccupied properties at no cost to the owner, offering a creative solution to Japan's prevalent issue of vacant homes, known asakiya.Save this picture!Save this picture!Challenged by the limited natural light infiltrating from the southern side of the house, our approach focused on eliminating superfluous partitions and fixtures, converting each floor into harmonious open spaces where light and breezes can pass through the interior.Save this picture!Save this picture!The ground level saw the removal of ceiling boards to expose the wooden framework, juxtaposed with the addition of a contemporary, custom-made square-shaped white tile kitchen counter and sleek gray tile flooring. Blue color was chosen as an accent and used for the grout lines of the kitchen tiles and the bathroom sliding door, balancing freshness with tradition.Save this picture!On the upper level, we honored the traditional Japanese essence by retaining tatami mats and ceiling boards while removing dividing walls to fashion an open layout. Strategic relocation of bathroom facilities downstairs allowed for the incorporation of a walk-in closet doubling as a workspace, alongside the unveiling of a previously obscured south-facing window, ushering in natural light.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Continuity between floors was accentuated by the uniform tile flooring in the area adjacent to the staircase. The delicate frosted glass windows from the Shwa era were conserved not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for ensuring the privacy of the occupants, echoing a blend of heritage and functionality.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessAbout this officeROOVICEOfficePublished on February 04, 2025Cite: "mori House / ROOVICE" 04 Feb 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1026204/omori-house-roovice&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream