Apartment Renovation in Honancho by Takehiko Suzuki

Located in Tokyo, Japan, the Apartment Renovation in Honancho by Takehiko Suzuki transforms a 40-year-old corner apartment into a flexible, light-filled, and thoughtfully organized home. With a total area of 68 m², this renovation reimagines a compact urban dwelling as a multifunctional living and working environment, accommodating a couple, their child, and a home office. The project emphasizes spatial fluidity, sustainable reuse, and the subtle integration of traditional Japanese architectural elements for contemporary living.

Maximizing Light and Space in a Compact Apartment

Situated on the top floor of a five-story apartment building, the unit benefits from windows on three sides. The architects stripped the interiors to their skeleton to allow complete reconfiguration. Private and utility spaces such as the office, bathroom, and storage were positioned along the north side of the reinforced concrete bearing wall. In contrast, the living areas — including the kitchen, dining, and lounge — were arranged to the south, creating a clear spatial flow and maximizing access to natural light and ventilation.

The bedroom sits at the heart of the apartment, encircled by functional zones such as the kitchen, closet, and work area. This circulation pattern promotes both movement and a gentle sense of separation between spaces, while encouraging light and air to flow freely through the home. Above the bedroom, a loft serves as both a playful hideout for the child and a practical storage solution.

Adaptive “Fittings” and Material Innovation

A central design concept in this renovation is the use of adjustable boundary surfaces, or “fittings,” which allow residents to fine-tune their environment according to daily needs. These surfaces control light, air, sound, and visibility — enabling a high degree of spatial flexibility and user interaction.

One standout element is the diagonal Muso-mado fitting, inspired by traditional Japanese double-lattice screens. Unlike the typical vertical slats, this modern version uses diagonal lattices to manage both visual privacy and airflow. Its adjustable design allows residents to tailor lighting and openness — perfect for moments when one might want to “block the view but let the breeze in” or maintain presence between family members across spaces.

Another notable invention is the skeleton flush door, crafted with a core of paper honeycomb and faced with translucent Shoji paper. This lightweight yet strong door allows soft light diffusion while maintaining visual privacy — especially useful between the dressing room and the office. The honeycomb’s structure also casts unique shadows, adding visual depth and warmth to the minimalist interiors.

Sustainable, Efficient, and Sensory-Centered

The renovation not only recycles the apartment’s shell but also embraces environmentally friendly materials and lightweight construction methods. The blend of traditional Japanese design elements with modern materials results in a serene, tactile interior that is both aesthetically calming and functionally versatile.

Rather than rigid compartmentalization, the design promotes a gradation of space — where activities, moods, and atmospheres coexist through adjustable layers of partition and transparency. The environment subtly expands and contracts with the rhythms of daily life.

This project exemplifies how small-scale renovations can offer big design lessons: by focusing on adaptability, sensory experience, and cultural continuity, it redefines the potential of aging urban apartments.

All the Photographs are works of Masao Nishikawa