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An Ordinary Renovation of an Apartment
An Ordinary Renovation of an Apartment
Japan
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An Ordinary Renovation of an Apartment
Japan
Type
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2025
SIZE
0 sqft - 1000 sqft
BUDGET
$0 - 10K
Concept: Redefining the "Ordinary" As Japan’s 1980s housing stock faces a critical aging crisis—with the average age of pre-owned condominiums in Tokyo now exceeding 30 years—this project attempts to rediscover the inherent value within the standard apartment. The term "Ordinary" here does not refer to a statistical average but defines the "sensory contours" shared in daily life without dissonance. It functions quietly behind unconscious actions, possessing a versatility that transcends specific usage and superficial aesthetics.
Design Strategy: Three Operations of Upcycling Eschewing "full-skeleton" renewal, the design employs three strategic operations to assign new meanings to existing elements:
Manifestation of Studs: Removing gypsum boards reveals the solid wooden studs. Unlike modern Light Gauge Steel (LGS), these 1980s members adhere to the traditional Shaku-kan-ho module (303/455mm). By liberating them from their hidden role, they are transformed into functional devices—serving as shelf mullions or switch bases—reinterpreting traditional Japanese lattices within a contemporary spatial framework.
Stripping the Structure: The high construction precision of Japanese reinforced concrete (RC) is treated as the final texture. The surface preparation (keren) after stripping wallpaper is repositioned as an "indigenous finish," reflecting a unique integrity rooted in carpentry culture that positions the raw structure itself as a sophisticated ornament.
Response to the Rigid Frame: Large, oppressive beams typical of older condominiums are redefined through "internal eaves" integrated with indirect lighting. This transforms structural constraints into atmospheric devices that provide visual depth and spatial rhythm.
Conclusion By prioritizing partial updates, demolition waste was reduced by over 50%, significantly lowering the environmental footprint. This approach functions as a universal "kata" (form) for sustainable reconfiguration, proving that scrutinizing what does not need to change is a sincere and viable architectural value in today’s real estate market.
Design Strategy: Three Operations of Upcycling Eschewing "full-skeleton" renewal, the design employs three strategic operations to assign new meanings to existing elements:
Manifestation of Studs: Removing gypsum boards reveals the solid wooden studs. Unlike modern Light Gauge Steel (LGS), these 1980s members adhere to the traditional Shaku-kan-ho module (303/455mm). By liberating them from their hidden role, they are transformed into functional devices—serving as shelf mullions or switch bases—reinterpreting traditional Japanese lattices within a contemporary spatial framework.
Stripping the Structure: The high construction precision of Japanese reinforced concrete (RC) is treated as the final texture. The surface preparation (keren) after stripping wallpaper is repositioned as an "indigenous finish," reflecting a unique integrity rooted in carpentry culture that positions the raw structure itself as a sophisticated ornament.
Response to the Rigid Frame: Large, oppressive beams typical of older condominiums are redefined through "internal eaves" integrated with indirect lighting. This transforms structural constraints into atmospheric devices that provide visual depth and spatial rhythm.
Conclusion By prioritizing partial updates, demolition waste was reduced by over 50%, significantly lowering the environmental footprint. This approach functions as a universal "kata" (form) for sustainable reconfiguration, proving that scrutinizing what does not need to change is a sincere and viable architectural value in today’s real estate market.
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