Urban House in Tokyo

This is a renovation of a 40-year-old reinforced concrete residence, re-edited to meet contemporary urban lifestyles and current regulations. While the existing structure remained robust, low ceiling heights and outdated layouts no longer aligned with present-day living.

The project was conceived as a Tokyo base for a jetsetter who travels extensively. Although it functions as a true home, it is not a place of permanent settlement, but one to return to between journeys. Rather than reproducing specific cities, the design allows personal memories of travel to surface naturally through daily use, evoking moments such as a day in Paris or an evening at a New York bar, shaped by the sensibility of the occupant.

Rather than applying a superficial update, the project reorganizes the internal spatial structure through a careful reading of the existing plan, section, and building services as an integrated whole. The top floor, originally divided into private rooms and a bathroom, was transformed into an open living, dining, and kitchen space that embraces light and views, becoming the shared heart of the home. By removing finish layers that compressed the space, ceiling volume was revealed and restructured, while thermal performance and building services were simultaneously improved. Ducts and service routes were meticulously coordinated without altering the existing reinforced concrete beams, with on-site adjustments ensuring they remain unobtrusive and aligned with the interior expression.

Across the lower floors and down to the basement, four bedrooms and wet areas support both everyday living and guest stays. The basement is defined as a Man Cave, combining a bar corner and sleeping area. Instead of rigid partitions, light, materiality, and softly defined boundaries create a distinct sense of time and immersion within the residence.

Furniture, lighting, and textiles were selected from both Japan and abroad, responding to the function, circulation, and character of each space. Through the integration of architectural reorganization and interior design, the project draws out the latent potential of the existing structure, transforming it into a refined and flexible urban residence where everyday life quietly unfolds with the lingering atmosphere of travel.