Fusion of tradition and modern technology: Old Japanese house renovation project
Japanese homes are said to have a shorter lifespan compared to Western homes. While European homes typically last over 100 years, Japanese homes are believed to last only about 30 years. This difference is influenced by various cultural and economic factors. However, with this old house renovation project, we took on the challenge of extending the lifespan of homes.
Project background
The target of this project is an old house located next to a sake brewery in Akune city, Kagoshima Prefecture. The owner has preserved Oishi Sake Brewery, which has a history of over 125 years. This house has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years, but it had no earthquake reinforcements, so it had not been in use recently. The owner had the option to demolish the house and build a new one but decided to restore and reuse the house to preserve the cultural heritage.
Project goals
The aim of this project is to preserve traditional architecture while adapting it to modern living. This was made possible through the collaboration of architects and structural engineers. Our goal is to create a sustainable and comfortable living space that retains old traditions and craftsmanship, while exceeding the latest environmental standards.
The traditional “Tanoji” layout of the old house was adapted to optimize space zoning and reduce the area that requires heating and cooling. Additionally, we incorporated transitional spaces between indoors and outdoors, such as verandas and “doma” (earthen floors), allowing for natural ventilation during the summer. As a result, the old house now achieves environmental performance equivalent to that of new constructions. Heating and cooling loads have been reduced by approximately 85%, and CO2 emissions have been cut by around 40% compared to rebuilding from scratch.
Progress and future plans
Recently, a groundbreaking ceremony was successfully held, and construction has officially begun. We are excited to see the completion of this project, where tradition and modern technology merge to create a new, unique home.
