Nakamura House: A Renovated Kyoto Machiya Hideaway

Nakamura House is a thoughtfully renovated Kyoto machiya located near Hankyu Omiya Station. This property serves as the home for a father and son, with the son living there full-time while working in Kyoto, and the father visiting occasionally from Osaka. The renovation was designed by Ma Kousakusha / First-Class Architect Office, who approached the project with deep respect for the carefully maintained traditional townhouse. The architects were not afraid to undertake some reduction in building volume to boldly alter the floor plan, resulting in a space rich with beautiful shadows and a profound sense of tranquility. The renovation has successfully transformed the dwelling into a coveted 'hideaway' for adults.

The design philosophy emphasizes that the comfort of a space is not defined by its square footage but by its expansiveness and connectivity. The layout fosters a feeling of openness and flow. The residence includes features such as a second-floor sofa area perfect for reading, a tatami room with a sewing machine, an earthen floor entryway (doma) with a geta-boshi (clog box) leading to the garden, a kitchen, a dining area, and corridors with traditional ranma (transoms) and sudare (bamboo blinds). A skylight above the staircase bathes the interior in natural light.