A generous three-bedroom machiya in Gojo, carefully renewed as a contemporary Kyoto home while preserving the original features that give the house its character.
Project Type
Ground-up Renovation
Completion
July 2024
Original character, carefully renewed.
Located opposite the Dusit Thani Kyoto in Gojo, this spacious three-bedroom machiya combines a convenient central Kyoto setting with the privacy and atmosphere of a traditional home. Its generous proportions, inner garden, and sequence of interconnected rooms create a sense of depth rarely found in more compact machiya.
Designed by Yuta Soyano and restored by the Heritage Homes Japan team, the renovation was approached with particular care for the building’s surviving original features. Existing timber, latticework, traditional fittings, and architectural details were retained wherever possible, while contemporary finishes and modern amenities were introduced to make the house comfortable for everyday living.
⸺ 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.