T-renovation | of-design

There is a scene where wheat grows and bread is baked every morning in a wood-fired kiln. We would like to provide a space where you can get to know the production process through Campagne (German country bread), experience how to eat at a cafe, and propose eating habits. We also want to include in the architectural plan to open the building in the area so that it can be used by the local people as a place where the threshold is low and calm so that it can be used as a part of life. I think it will be a beloved place if people from afar can take a break by cycling, add it during the dog walking course, or take a short break to pick up and drop off at the nursery school. As a specific example of opening to the area, it is possible to use it as a semi-outdoor store as a face-to-face coffee stand, and use it easily or at the eaves without entering the store. It's about providing a space where you can sit on a bench and use coffee and bread as if you were on a detour, rather than having a meal like a restaurant.

2021 Under design

Location Akiha Ward, Niigata City

Dedicated housing

Structure / construction method Conventional construction method

Floor area *** ㎡

Construction type New construction

Construction ***

photograph ***

The Lounge House — From a Landscape of Regret to a Home of Pride — In a dense neighborhood of small factories and houses in Tsubame City, the client, who runs their own factory, had long walked home each day— only to be greeted by a residence built two decades ago, a house constructed without much thought, now a source of quiet regret. This renovation project set out to transform that daily disappointment into a renewed sense of pride. Focusing primarily on the first floor, we reimagined the exterior and approach to harmonize with the industrial streetscape while establishing a composed and refined presence. Inside, we captured the mood of a downtown lounge—an atmosphere the client is particularly drawn to. A balance of quiet elegance and subdued glamour was key, realized through a careful selection of natural materials, each with its own texture and expression. Artisan-crafted plaster walls and layered indirect lighting create depth, softness, and a rich sense of spatial rhythm. Thermal insulation was upgraded, and all equipment systems were renewed, achieving both comfort and functionality. This is more than just a house. It is a personal lounge tucked into the edge of the city— a place where coming home feels like returning to something deeply one’s own. Completion｜May 2022 Location｜Tsubame City, Niigata Prefecture, Japan Program｜Private Residence Structure / Method｜Wooden frame construction (post and beam) Floor Area｜— m² Type of Work｜Renovation Contractor｜Marumo Construction Co., Ltd.