traditional onigawara tiles ornament ROOVICE's renovated two-story house in tokyo

Roovice renovates old Japanese Akabane House

Roovice undertook the renovation of Akabane House, a two-story residence dating back to the seventies situated in the Akabane residential area on the Tokyo-Saitama border. The owner, who inherited the property from their parents, opted for a cost-free renovation within Roovice’s Kariage project, preserving the house for sentimental reasons. To address typical issues of older Japanese houses, such as limited daylight and fragmented layouts, the design inverted day-night zones, relocating the kitchen and living area to the second floor for enhanced spaciousness and illumination. The first floor, traditionally featuring a lowered entrance, was reconfigured to house a bedroom, retaining original shōji sliding doors and wooden ceiling boards. The second floor, previously occupied by three tatami rooms, underwent structural modifications to increase ceiling height and introduce more daylight.

all images by Akira Nakamura

refurbishment blends modern and traditional features

The resulting open space features shina plywood boards, exposing the original beams for added character. The kitchen area boasts a custom-made counter and shelves using shina boards, complemented by a mortar countertop and dark blue tiles. The design team at Roovice chose light oak wood flooring to enhance the luminous atmosphere throughout. Adaptive lighting on ceiling beams accommodates various tenant needs. Preserving Shōwa era windows with frosted glass patterns maintains daylight entry while respecting the house’s history. Externally, the roof showcases traditional onigawara ornamental tiles, signifying good luck for tenants, and a distinctive triangle-shaped balcony, setting the house apart within its surroundings.

living-dining area

living-dining area

hallway

bedroom

bedroom

staircase

1/5

living-dining area

entrance

entrance

kitchen

washroom

project info:

name: Akabane House
architect: ROOVICE | @roovice

lead architect-construction manager: Kei Makito

photography: Akira Nakamura | @nakamamej

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom