In the heart of Kyoto, the renowned Japanese studio Keiji Ashizawa Design has undertaken a remarkable renovation of a 120-year-old machiya to create the Toune holiday home. This endeavor beautifully balances preservation with contemporary design, aiming to respect the building’s history while enhancing its usability for modern living.
Located in Shimogyo Ward, this two-storey machiya retains its original architectural features, such as the raised entrance, known as an agari kamachi, and the tori-niwa indoor passage—all while integrating new elements for comfort and style. The studio’s founder, Keiji Ashizawa, expressed a desire to reinterpret the traditional Kyoto machiya, infusing contemporary sensibilities without losing the intrinsic “sense of time embedded within the building.”
The renovation process carefully preserved the machiya’s existing cedar and pine elements while introducing hinoki cypress details to enhance its allure. Ashizawa emphasizes a philosophy of “quietly revealing and enhancing” existing qualities rather than overwhelming the space with modern aesthetics. This melding of past and present fosters an environment where historical elements can coexist harmoniously with contemporary design.
At the heart of Toune lies a stunning double-height central space, linking a kitchen and dining area on the ground floor to a living room above. This design not only maximizes spatial dimensions but also encourages natural light to flood the interior. The clever architectural choices lead guests to appreciate the delicate beauty of the materials and craftsmanship inherent in machiya homes.
The interiors boast a neutral color palette, embracing shades of white and dark brown. The ground floor features a darker tone that complements the building’s patina, while the upper level employs lighter colors to amplify natural light. This thoughtful arrangement heightens the sense of calm and intimacy that defines traditional machiya architecture.
The design ethos extends to the selection of natural materials such as plaster, washi paper, stone, and iron. Ashizawa advocates for the authentic representation of materials, allowing their aging and texture to inherently shape the ambiance of the space. This dedication to materiality promotes a sense of continuity, enhancing the experience of living within a historic context.
Toune accommodates three bedrooms: one on the ground level and two on the first floor. The contemporary furniture and lighting throughout the house offers comfort while maintaining a respectful dialogue with the traditional furniture styles. Ashizawa’s meticulous attention to the quality of light and proportional spaces ensures each moment spent here feels both serene and inspiring.
The charm of machiyas, which were primarily constructed between the 17th and 19th centuries, lies in their unique architectural features—narrow facades facing the street, deep interiors, and a focus on natural materials. The design of Toune reinforces the appeal of these structures, urging a renewed appreciation for their historical and cultural significance.
In discussing the allure of machiyas, Ashizawa notes, “The softness of wood, earth, and washi paper, combined with the intimate scale, creates a unique sense of comfort.” This connection between human scale and natural materiality fosters an environment that resonates with both history and modernity, drawing individuals back to a narrative of authenticity and simplicity.
This thoughtful renovation marks just one of many recent machiya projects, as architects and designers increasingly aim to highlight their historic character. A notable example includes Kengo Kuma’s work with the Capella Kyoto hotel, demonstrating the continued significance of this architectural style.
The evolving narrative surrounding machiya homes suggests a budding appreciation for the blending of historical context with contemporary life—an ethos beautifully encapsulated in Keiji Ashizawa’s Toune.
The photography is by Tomooki Kengaku.
Project credits:
Architect: Keiji Ashizawa Design
Project architect: Keiji Ashizawa, Nanako Inoue
Construction: Nishinihon Setsubi
Furniture: Karimoku Case
Lighting: Santa and Cole
Styling: Yumi Nakata