An Ordinary Renovation of an Apartment

Japan

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An Ordinary Renovation of an Apartment

Japan

Firm

THa

Type

Residential › Apartment Private House

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2025

SIZE

0 sqft - 1000 sqft

BUDGET

$0 - 10K

This project is a renovation of a typical Japanese condominium unit that has aged over time, responding to the growing stock of existing apartments now circulating on the secondary housing market in Japan. Rather than pursuing novelty or stylistic distinction, the renovation is guided by the concept of “ordinary” (futsū), understood here as a shared spatial framework that quietly supports everyday life.

In contemporary Japan, condominiums built several decades ago are often regarded as outdated. Renovation has become the dominant response, yet many projects focus primarily on surface-level updates—new finishes, cosmetic modernization, or nostalgic references—without questioning the spatial logic embedded in the original construction. This project proposes an alternative approach: instead of replacing what is perceived as old, it identifies which elements should remain unchanged and recalibrates them to function again within present-day domestic life.

The renovation avoids full-scale demolition and reconstruction. Instead, it operates as an upcycling process through three architectural interventions that work with the existing structure and materials.

First, wooden studs were exposed by removing gypsum boards. Unlike contemporary light-gauge steel framing, these studs are arranged according to traditional Japanese modules of 303 and 450 millimeters. Rather than treating them as conventional walls or furniture, they are repositioned as linear spatial elements that gently articulate boundaries without fixing specific functions. This strategy allows rooms to remain adaptable and open to multiple uses over time.

Second, the reinforced concrete structure was returned to its raw state. Japanese condominium buildings are typically constructed with a high degree of precision, allowing the structural surface itself to function as a finish. By removing wallpaper and tiles and carrying out minimal repairs, the concrete frame is reintroduced as an interior material. In this way, the structure is not concealed but acknowledged as a defining characteristic specific to condominium architecture.

Third, large beams—often considered problematic in older apartments due to their visual and spatial impact—were reinterpreted rather than hidden. Shallow inner eaves were inserted beneath the beams, and indirect lighting was integrated into these elements. Through this intervention, the beams become environmental devices that modulate light, scale, and perception, transforming structural constraints into active components of the living environment.

Together, these interventions establish a layered spatial condition that goes beyond superficial stylistic expression. The project does not aim to recreate traditional Japanese interiors, but instead reconsiders how existing construction systems can be read and reused in contemporary ways. By minimizing demolition, the renovation reduces construction waste to less than half that of a conventional full renovation.

Importantly, the approach is not tied to a specific floor plan or unit size. The strategy—identifying what should remain, recalibrating existing elements, and limiting intervention—offers a transferable model applicable to other aging condominiums. In this sense, the project proposes a realistic and sustainable architectural value for Japan’s expanding stock of existing housing, framing “ordinary” not as a limitation, but as a resource for adaptability over time.

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An Ordinary Renovation of an Apartment

Japan

An Ordinary Renovation of an Apartment

Japan

Product Spec Sheet

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