NYAWA undertook the restoration of a house in Toyama, a rural city in Hokuriku, Japan, with the vision of transforming it into a vacation home and rental property. Focused on preserving the local culture and minimizing energy consumption, the renovation aimed to attract visitors from urban areas like Tokyo, fostering sustainability both globally and locally.

Embracing Hokuriku Tradition

Drawing inspiration from Hokuriku’s architectural tradition, particularly the concept of “HIROMA,” a gathering space that connects indoors with nature, the renovation plan centered around adapting this tradition to the seasonal environment. HIROMA, positioned at the heart of the house, eschews conventional walls, creating a fluid space that encourages natural light and sight lines. Structural reinforcements, inspired by the region’s pear orchards, ensure a bright and open atmosphere, enhancing the spatial experience.

Designing for Timelessness

To imbue the space with a sense of history and time’s passage, NYAWA adhered to traditional scale rules, upcycled old timber, and selected materials like plywood, copper, silk, and textile that age gracefully. The design philosophy aimed to create an environment where the house’s legacy could resonate with future generations, fostering a connection to its past while embracing the present.

Sustainable Indoor Environment

A key aspect of the renovation was enhancing the indoor environment to prioritize natural daylight and ventilation. By incorporating sliding doors, the design seamlessly integrates the indoors with the outdoors, offering occupants the flexibility to balance natural elements with controlled environments. This approach facilitated a zero-carbon renovation, with the wood used in construction absorbing more CO2 than emitted during the process, contributing to a comfortable and eco-friendly living space.

Through meticulous attention to tradition, sustainability, and spatial design, NYAWA’s renovation of the house in Toyama reflects a harmonious blend of past and present, offering a timeless retreat that celebrates local culture and embraces environmental responsibility.