Machiya Townhouse

Machiya Townhouse
© RuRi Photo Studio
Machiya Townhouse
© RuRi Photo Studio

MACHIYA TOWNHOUSE

07BEACH

ARCHITECTS
07Beach

MANUFACTURERS
ADVAN, Qma Sekkei Komu, Toki Zoen

LIGHTING DESIGN
Daiko

CONTRACTOR
Qma Sekkei Komu

AREA
41 m²

YEAR
2021

LOCATION
Kyoto, Japan

CATEGORY
Renovation, Showroom

Text description provided by architect.

Kyoto Machiya (traditional townhouse) has been renovated into a showroom for a Kimono shop and photo studio.

Machiya Townhouse
© RuRi Photo Studio
Machiya Townhouse
© RuRi Photo Studio

The client told that it was difficult for a Kimono business to just keep its tradition and that they wanted something interesting that would attract customers.

This request was mainly responded with replacing the existing exterior wall with a glazed curved wall that crosses the original interior and exterior boundary.

Machiya Townhouse
© RuRi Photo Studio
Machiya Townhouse
© RuRi Photo Studio

The contrast between the old and the new is naturally eye-catching, but a sense of humor and ingenious beauty that go beyond was aimed to add.

As the original idea of the curved glass turned out to be unrealistic with our budget, it was changed to a polyhedron with a series of small flat glass sheets.

Machiya Townhouse
© RuRi Photo Studio
Machiya Townhouse
© RuRi Photo Studio

Since a polyhedron of small pieces of glass seemed to fit this project more, as its glitter is like a Kimono's one rather than trying to make it look transparent with a large piece of glass and the vertical lines of glass joint also gave the sense of connecting the glass wall to the traditional townhouse design.

A semi-outdoor space was created by removing the original front door which faced the street and drawing the approach into the inside to give depth to the visitor's entry experience.

Machiya Townhouse
© RuRi Photo Studio
Machiya Townhouse
© RuRi Photo Studio

For accommodating various usages, a large entrance directly facing the street was required.

Therefore the glass door was bent at its middle to apply the polyhedron as it is.

Machiya Townhouse
© RuRi Photo Studio
Machiya Townhouse
© RuRi Photo Studio

Also for another side entry door, to match the width of each polyhedron glass sheet, the glass was split in the middle and a gap like a joint was left.

An ordinary floor-hinged glass door looks fresh just by bending it or having a little gap. This time only the room facing the street was designed.

Machiya Townhouse
© RuRi Photo Studio
Machiya Townhouse
© RuRi Photo Studio

But the beauty of the view from the street to the garden through the new room and the existing traditional rooms and shooting a figure in that view were aware as beautiful from the beginning. The new glass door was designed for maximizing it.

Stepping stones for an approach in Japanese tradition are generally thick chunks of stone with a roughed surface by a chisel.

Machiya Townhouse
© RuRi Photo Studio
Machiya Townhouse
© RuRi Photo Studio

However, since the client frequently comes and goes with products, he asked to align the level of the stone surface with the mortar floor to prevent from over-turning.

So thin 600 square jet-burner finished stone pieces were cut into freehand shapes and placed into the floor. As result, the client's practical request led to a neat and modern expression.

Machiya Townhouse
© RuRi Photo Studio
Machiya Townhouse
© RuRi Photo Studio

It is intended to be used both as a near-empty photo studio and as a showroom for Kimonos. Also, the simple system to hang the Obi (sash) and textile from the ceiling with the cloth in between, to display them dynamically has been designed.

Hope the new space stands out surrounded by the old Machiya and makes the Machiya itself look attractive again.

Machiya Townhouse
© RuRi Photo Studio


Machiya Townhouse
© RuRi Photo Studio
Machiya Townhouse
© RuRi Photo Studio
Machiya Townhouse
© RuRi Photo Studio
Machiya Townhouse
© RuRi Photo Studio
Machiya Townhouse
© RuRi Photo Studio


Machiya Townhouse
Suspender Detail
Machiya Townhouse


Machiya Townhouse
Overall Plan

Machiya Townhouse
Plan Before
Machiya Townhouse
Plan After