YYAA rebuilds the eastern half of a prewar rowhouse in japan

"The clients chose to remain in Yagi-cho while contributing to the continued use of its older building stock. With the support of a local non-profit organization involved in community development, they acquired the eastern portion of a large two-unit rowhouse that had remained vacant for nearly three decades."

"During the renovation process by YYAA design studio, the eastern half of the structure was stripped back to its primary structural elements. A concrete basement was installed, damaged posts and beams were replaced, and the structure was reinforced to improve seismic resistance, particularly in the event that the adjacent western half of the rowhouse might be removed in the future."

"Yagi-cho developed as a prosperous post town for more than a thousand years. Unlike the nearby district of Imai-cho, where Edo-period buildings are legally preserved, Yagi-cho has fewer regulations governing its historical environment. As a result, many pre-Showa buildings in the area have been demolished in recent years."

Kusafushi House represents a selective renovation of a historic pre-WWII rowhouse in Yagi-cho, Nara Prefecture, a post town that has experienced significant urban change. Unlike nearby Imai-cho with strict preservation regulations, Yagi-cho lacks formal protections, resulting in demolition of many older structures. The clients acquired the vacant eastern half of a two-unit rowhouse with support from a local non-profit organization. The severely deteriorated building was stripped to structural elements, with damaged posts and beams replaced and seismic reinforcement added. Existing components were carefully reused, while floors, walls, and ceilings received insulation. Building services and exterior doors were updated to contemporary standards, balancing preservation with modern functionality.

Read at designboom | architecture & design magazine