U Residence | A residential interior renovation project
Architecture Residential Ehime, Japan
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13. Detail | Movable glass partition between the gallery and the bedroom 1280 px 1920 px 3 MB Print - Low res only |
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22. Plan drawing (before & after renovation) 5556 px 3508 px 172 KB A4 print |
Description
The U-Residence Renovation Project is a thorough renovation of an existing dwelling unit in a typical apartment building located in the center of Dogo area in Matsuyama, one of the most popular hot spring resorts in western Japan. The client was a couple in their late 50s who had decided to move their hub from Tokyo to Matsuyama, where the wife was born and grew up while maintaining their multi-habitational lifestyle. The client requested the architect to renovate approximately 40 square meters of their 70 square meter residence, excluding the LDK area, into a high-quality living space with the ambiance of a contemporary luxury hotel.
In response to their request, the architect came up with an idea to transform the hallway, traditionally a mere passage, into a sort of private gallery space as the unit’s “spine” to enrich their daily life both in physical and psychological terms. This concept redefined an ordinary “passing” space as a core of the couple’s life by showcasing the collection of items from different places and times in their lives. To maximize the sense of openness within the limited space, the design carefully categorized the existing partitions into those that would be retained, removed, and replaced with glass partitions, thereby enhancing spatial continuity. This approach allows for an uninterrupted flow and connectivity throughout the unit.
The choice of finishing materials and the lighting plan played pivotal roles in achieving the desired ambiance. Large-format tiles with a high-quality feel were chosen as the main flooring material, extending into the bedroom and bathroom without partitions to further reinforce spatial continuity. The bathroom walls also employed the same materials, creating a cohesive, minimalistic elegance that resonates with the gallery concept. Along the same line, lighting was strategically planned to emphasize spatial coherence and the intricate chiaroscuro with indirect lighting, softening the overall illumination compared to standard residential settings. This, along with its interplay with the surfaces of tiles, glass, and mirrors, adds depth and texture to the space and gives life to the singular quality of the living experience beyond the actual dimensions of the apartment.
Through this renovation, U-Residence transcends the conventional apartment layout in Japan by skillfully reflecting and interpreting the homeowners' lifestyles and values in a refined living space. It proposes an alternative to the standardized 2LDK format in Japanese collective housing while demonstrating the potential for customized living spaces tailored to individual lifestyles, challenging the constraints of residential design imposed by real estate norms.
Questions and Answers
Describe the project's location, project type, main usage, size (total floor area), structural type, and completion date.
•Location: Dogo Yunomachi, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, JAPAN
•Project type: Interior renovation
•Usage: Residential (Apartment dwelling unit)
•Size (Floor area): 41.0m² out of 70.5m² dwelling unit.
•Structural Type: Reinforced Concrete (RC)
•Completion date: February 2024
What were the key challenges and the design solutions to them?
The greatest challenge of the U-Residence renovation project was to create a spacious and sophisticated living space within the limited area and constraints of existing facility layouts deduced from the optimized housing plan for the “average” household. Specifically, the positions of rooms involving plumbing and ventilation systems, such as the bathroom and the restroom, could not be drastically altered due to the need to align with the building’s overall utility systems. Despite these constraints, the project optimized the layout of those areas within feasible limits, expanding the water-related spaces to enhance comfort significantly. Furthermore, the design achieved a sense of openness and continuity throughout the dwelling by transforming the hallway into a gallery space and utilizing transparent or movable partitions for specific rooms. These approaches successfully met the client’s desire for a “hotel-like, sophisticated living space.”
What was the brief?
The U-Residence Renovation Project in Matsuyama transformed a 70m² apartment, excluding the LDK area, into a luxury living space for a couple moving from Tokyo. Aiming to create a high-quality environment reminiscent of a luxury hotel, the renovation introduced a private gallery in the hallway to enrich the occupants' daily lives. The project emphasized openness and connectivity by redefining the use of space and enhancing spatial continuity through the strategic removal, retention, and replacement of partitions with glass. The choice of large-format tiles and a meticulous lighting plan contributed to a cohesive and elegant ambiance, elevating the apartment beyond traditional Japanese residential design. This renovation reflects the homeowners' lifestyle and values, offering a personalized living space that challenges the constraints of standard apartment layouts.
What it the unique feature(s) of the project?
The U-Residence renovation project stands out for its challenge to conventional apartment layouts, maximizing the limited space to create a living area that emulates the sophistication of a luxury hotel. A key innovation was redefining the corridor not just as a passageway but as a gallery space exhibiting items from different times and places of the client’s lives, dramatically altering the everyday living environment. The strategic omission of specific partitions and the use of transparent materials highlight the project’s unique approach to enhancing spatial continuity and openness. Furthermore, the selection of finish materials and the lighting plan were thought out to emphasize refined design and functionality, supporting a high-quality lifestyle for the resident couple. These design philosophies not only achieved the client’s vision but also paved the way for personalized living spaces, showcasing the potential for customization in residential design.
Key products / materials used:
•Floor Finishes: Porcelain tiles [Sanwa Company] / Composition vinyl floor tiles [Sanwa Company]
•Wall Finishes: Vinyl wallpaper [Sangetsu] / Wallpaper [Farrow & Ball] / Porcelain tiles [Sanwa Company]
•Ceiling Finishes: Vinyl wallpaper [Sangetsu], Some areas painted [Farrow & Ball]
•Fixtures & Units: Tankless Toilet: Satis Type-S [LIXIL] / Washbasin: Elegance Square [Sanwa Company] / Faucet: VISANTE Faucet Short (Rusted Black) [VISANTE] / Bathroom unit: Spage PX [LIXIL]
•Gallery Shelf: 16mm square steel pipe frame + reinforced glass shelf, melamine decorative laminated board
Details
| Project size | 70 m2 |
| Completion date | 2024 |
Project team
| Chiasma Factory Inc. | Interior design |