This project involved the expansion and renovation of an approximately 30-year-old timber-framed house surrounded by other wooden homes. Approaching the site and surrounding structures as a single collection of timber frames allowed us to see this environment as a landscape that could easily evolve or be adapted. Timber framing is inherently flexible and can be updated by removing or adding beams and columns, according to factors such as circumstances of use or occupants’ domestic situation. We adopted a flexible approach in updating the timber frame, allowing for creative freedom without being constrained by the site or existing structure. This enabled us to address issues common to aging wooden homes and also focus on making gradual updates rather than a major renovation all at once, thereby utilizing and incorporating both the home’s history and the urban landscape.
The site is a flag-shaped plot surrounded by similar houses. The neighboring plot, currently a field, will likely have a new house built on it in the near future, reducing daylight exposure and ventilation for the project site. To address this, we proposed splitting the house into three small houses—one an extension of the existing house, and the other two divisions of the existing house. By dividing and downsizing the existing house, we reduce the sense of imposition on the surroundings caused by the extension. The three houses are each enclosed by outdoor spaces, thereby benefiting from daylight and ventilation from various directions. At the same time, the three houses are connected by one sheet of glass, creating a surprisingly spacious and unified interior.
We hope the concept of updating timber frames can become a catalyst for transforming dense urban residential areas into a new type of landscape.