In order to turn Kyoto Machiya, a Japanese traditional townhouse, into something interesting that would attract customers, Joe Chikamori (07BEACH) has renovated it into a showroom for a Kimono shop and photo studio. With the primary idea of replacing the existing exterior wall with a glazed curved wall that crosses the original interior and exterior boundary.
Joe shared: “The contrast between the old and the new is naturally eye-catching, but a sense of humor and ingenious beauty that go beyond were aimed to add.”
Location
Kyoto, Japan
Photo
RuRi photo studio
Editor
Pham Ha Thu
As the original idea of the curved glass turned out to be unrealistic with the project’s budget. Therefore, it was changed to a polyhedron with a series of small flat glass sheets which seemed to fit the project more as its glitter is like a Kimono’s one rather than trying to make it look transparent with a large piece of glass. Additionally, the way Joe evenly spaced vertical lines of glass joint also gave the sense of connecting the glass wall to the traditional townhouse design; the design was positively changed to a polyhedron for both cost and design reasons.
To give depth to the visitor’s entry experience, he created a semi-outdoor space by removing the original front door which faced the street and drawing the approach into the inside.
The large entrance door was bent at its middle to apply the polyhedron, directly facing the street for accommodating various usages.
Also for another side entry door, to match the width of each polyhedron glass sheet, the glass was split in the middle and a gap like a joint was left. He has designed an ordinary floor-hinged glass door which looks fresh just by bending it or having a little gap.
Joe hopes the new space could stand out surrounded by the old Machiya and the place could be attractive again.
