A modest machiya beside Kyoto University, thoughtfully renovated on a limited budget without losing the warmth and character of a traditional Kyoto home.
Project Type
Ground-up Renovation
Completion
2023
Character without excess.
Located beside Kyoto University, this compact machiya demonstrates how a thoughtful renovation can create a comfortable Kyoto home without an excessive budget. The project focused on making the most of the existing building, retaining its intimate proportions and familiar machiya character while improving the spaces for everyday living.
Renovated by Heritage Homes Japan, the house retains exposed timber posts, beams, and warm timber ceilings as defining features throughout the interior. Simple contemporary finishes, updated amenities, and practical built-in elements were introduced around the existing structure, resulting in a relaxed home that feels distinctly Kyoto without unnecessary complexity.
⸺ Sourcing
We locate heritage properties across Kyoto and rural Japan — machiya, kominka, and former temples whose architectural integrity makes them worth preserving. Each candidate is evaluated for structural soundness, historical character, and restoration potential.
⸺ Design
Our in-house architects assess the structure and develop a sensitive restoration plan. We map what to preserve, what to repair, and where modern systems can be integrated without disturbing the home's character.
⸺ Structural Restoration
Original timber frames, beams, and lattice work are stabilized and refinished by hand. We reinforce where needed using traditional joinery and contemporary techniques — always invisible, always reversible where possible.
⸺ Modern Systems
Plumbing, electrical, insulation, and climate control are introduced behind the scenes. Kitchens, bathrooms, and storage are reimagined for contemporary life, specified in materials that match the home's vocabulary.
⸺ Interior Detailing
Hand-applied plaster, custom joinery, hinoki ofuro, integrated lighting — every visible surface is considered. We source from the same workshops that have supplied Kyoto's machiya for generations.
⸺ Handover
The completed home is documented, photographed, and prepared for its next chapter. We support new owners through purchase, registration, and the early months of living in their restored property.