CASE-REAL renovates and extends a traditional japanese dwelling in kyoto

in gosho-higashi, a small japanese town located in the vicinity of kyoto, architecture firm CASE-REAL has renovated and extended a building in a residential neighborhood. the project was completed for a couple: a creative director involved in many food related projects, and a gallerist who has a strong interest in traditional japanese craftsmanship. consequently, the design team sought to create a sequence of spaces that combined these passions — a place where a range of different functions influenced one another.

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client: foodelco + nichinichi
type of project: interior
use: gallery, tea room, office, guest room
project dates: apr 2015 – nov 2015
location: kyoto, japan

design: koichi futatusmata, yasushi arikawa
construction: nakatani building firm
lighting design: shoji hiroyasu
plants design and construction: keisuke kanto
manufacture of furniture: koichi touji, yuji yamamoto
manufacture of fixtures: bernhard lutzenberger, konbu ironmonger
photography: takumi ota

existing elements of the building have been repaired or partially renovated, with the exception of a completely new tearoom and a guest facility that is contained within an elevated white volume. this technique ensures that the structure’s spatial characteristics are maintained, guaranteeing a traditional, yet comfortable living environment. the tearoom features an elongated table capable of hosting six guests, and borders an adjacent gallery that exhibits a selection of pottery. a work room and storage area has also undergone renovation, oriented to face the garden at the rear of the plot.