lenz design transforms traditional japanese house using 'mitate' to infuse modernity

lenz design adapts traditional home for modern living

Using the traditional ‘Mitate’ technique, Lenz Design has breathed new life into a 50-year-old two-story wooden home in Japan. With a limited budget, the renovation project sought to realize a modern living experience while preserving the essence of traditional Japanese style architecture. The architects employed the creative technique to allow for the integration of flexible living within the existing space by reimagining traditional elements through shape, material, and color. Each of the components, from the grid ceilings, sliding doors, a pink verandah, and tatami mats, have been carefully considered and subtly transformed to embrace ‘Mitate’.

all images by Daiki Morita

house in mitate’ revived through color, shape, and materiality

Approaching the house in its original state, the architects encountered its exposed pillars, tatami mats, and paper sliding doors that rendered the space inflexible and rigid. However, at the same time, they recognized that these features were originally intentionally utilized to establish a distinct ‘stubborn Japanese style space’. Seeking to preserve the home’s essence while refreshing it spatially for a more modern lifestyle, Lenz Design sought to carry a complete renovation including introducing custom-made and collected furniture. Though with budget constraints of 2,500,000 yen, the team looked to the ‘Mitate’ approach to transform existing elements. ”Mitate’ is using one thing as another thing and fulfilling the needs such as using a bamboo tube as a vase,’ they explain.

Notably, the house features a traditional space segmentation using paper sliding doors, which Lenz Design modified to bring multiple areas into view at the same time, creating complex relationships and elevating the prominence of the flexible Japanese style. By employing ‘Mitate’, the house adapts to new lifestyles while preserving the essence of traditional Japanese-style rooms.

1/4

 

 

 

 

project info:

name: House in ‘Mitate’
architecture: Lenz Design
location: Japan

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: ravail khan | designboom