TD atelier + endo shojiro renovate 120-year-old kyoto machiya into family guesthouse

TD atelier and endo shojiro have renovated an 120-year-old machiya in kyoto‘s nishijin area, transforming it into a rental guesthouse that operates as a separate unit of the ryokan mugen inn. in contrast to the main, adult-only inn, mugen plus has been designed to also accommodate families within its 80 sqm interior, with a variety of spaces created to cater particularly to children, such as a semi-submerged room where they can gather and play.all images + video by matsumura kohei

TD atelier and endo shojiro have renovated the kyomachiya (machiya in kyoto) by enriching the interior vertically, creating a series of spaces with slightly different floor heights and various gaps to allow a flow of the gaze. a wooden ‘tube’ structure has been inserted into the traditional building, which extends from the façade, creating the entrance through which guests approach the house, to the inside of the residence, unambiguously dividing the internal space and creating a continuous and transparent three-dimensional composition.

the mugen plus guesthouse comprises a variety of areas, such as living rooms with rough walls and sculpted floors, white stucco and black bengal washi spaces, small semi-underground rooms, horizontal stages where various usages are possible, and spaces under which children can play together. interior elements blend contemporary design and japanese tradition, while details such as the entrance door carry a ∞ pattern, signifying the inn’s identity.

project info:

name: mugen plus

architect: tada masaharu (TD atelier) + endo shojiro

location: kyoto, japan

client: intellex.inc + kyo-hatago mugen

garden design: michikusa,co.ltd.

construction: fujisaki gumi.co.,ltd.

total floor area: 75.25 m2