kazuteru matumura architects renovates retoyosaki townhouse

kazuteru matumura architects renovates retoyosaki townhouse
all images © yoshiro masuda

toyosaki is a town located 15 minutes walking distance from umeda station, a transportation hub in north osaka, japan. largely a metropolitan area, a plethora of old townhouses are hidden down back alleys and side streets. down one of these lanes, stands kazuteru matumura architects, ‘retoyosaki home’. 

the privately owned residence had to be entirely gutted in order to assess the condition of the existing structure/MEP–which was roughly estimated to have originated around 1964. it was then enhanced to meet the latest building codes, and insulation was replaced to achieve 4th grade energy performance requirements of japan. 

living space

the space is designed with an open layout, and contains only two interior doors (toilet & bathroom). Other rooms are softly divided by curtains in order to leave the option of freely combining or separating sections. the foyer is luxuriously large considering the home’s 64m² total floor space, and functions as a vital storage area. original doors and flooring were kept during the renovation process and reused in different contexts and locations. storage, including the main foyer, openly displays the personal items, life, and hobbies of the owners. 

work space

connected kitchen 

soft partition

stairs

front door and foyer

entrance chalk-board and room division 

entrance storage 

bedroom

bathroom 

side street location

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