The renovation project at Shirokanedai House involved meticulous work on a 50-year-old two-story wooden residence located in the bustling Minato ward of Tokyo. The homeowner, an experienced real estate professional, had been renting out the vacant lot for a long time. When the last tenants left, the property came with a standing structure. Due to high demolition costs in Japan and the property’s good state, the owner opted to have Roovice revitalize and update the house for ongoing rental purposes.
Project Name: Shirokanedai House
Studio Name: Roovice
Design: Roovice | Maoko Sato
Construction: Roovice | Koji Kato
Photography: Akira Nakamura
The main focus of the renovation was to enhance the building’s earthquake resistance, ensuring safety and durability. This structural enhancement laid the groundwork for subsequent aesthetic and practical upgrades.
Initially, the first floor had dark, segmented spaces. To create a more welcoming and open ambiance, the renovation team removed dividing walls and ceiling boards, combining the former kitchen with two tatami rooms to form a spacious area. The walls, previously grayish, were repainted in bright white, and new windows were put in place to let in natural light.
The tatami flooring was replaced with sleek hemlock wooden flooring, concealing the traditional kotatsu stove pit. Clinker tiles now adorn the kitchen and corridor floors, accompanied by a custom-made modern kitchen counter. A unique triangle-shaped built-in cupboard was emphasized by a diagonal wall connecting it to the kitchen wall. A new glass door, mirroring the cupboard’s design, was added for enhanced functionality and visual flow into the kitchen.
In the bathroom, the renovation allowed for more space to accommodate a washing machine. The front room flooring was updated with practical PVC sheeting, the bathtub was swapped out, and new white tiles were set on the walls. Traditional Tamaishi tiles were selected for the bathroom and toilet floors, evoking a sense of the Shōwa era.
The aged wooden steps leading to the garden were replaced by traditional stone steps, enhancing the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
On the upper floor, the kitchenette in the corridor was removed and the wall tiled with the same clinker tiles as the ground floor. The tatami rooms were preserved, with new tatami mats and refurbished shoji doors keeping ties to the home’s heritage. The outer corridor’s flooring was updated, new windows were installed, and the walls were painted white, maintaining a bright and cohesive atmosphere.
The third room on the second floor received new lauan wood boards and a beige carpet, providing a soft contrast to the wooden elements. The balcony was waterproofed, and the fencing repainted in black, adding a touch of modern elegance to the refreshed look of the home.
Roovice’s Shirokanedai House project beautifully showcases the integration of traditional Japanese architecture with contemporary design principles. With careful renovations, the property now offers improved functionality, safety, and visual appeal, ensuring its enduring charm and desirability.
