House in MITATE by Lenz Architects

A Subtle Dialogue Between Tradition and Modernity

House in MITATE is a meticulous renovation project of a 50-year-old, two-story wooden home in Japan, thoughtfully redesigned by Lenz Architects. What was once a rigid, compartmentalized space defined by tatami flooring, fusuma sliding doors, and exposed timber posts, has been reinterpreted into a flexible, hybridized dwelling that celebrates wabi-sabi minimalism while accommodating modern living.

Rather than erasing the home’s original identity, the architects leaned into the traditional aesthetic and spatial organization, embracing the concept of “MITATE”—a Japanese design philosophy that transforms everyday objects by reimagining their purpose and context.

The Concept of MITATE as a Design Framework

MITATE (見立て) translates roughly to “seeing one thing as another.” In this house, MITATE becomes both a conceptual and practical strategy. The design team preserved key elements of the Japanese domestic vernacular—sliding screens, grid-patterned ceilings, and tatami floors—but subtly altered their form, color, and materials to reframe their function and aesthetic impact.

Instead of the typical igusa (rush grass) tatami in standard green tones and rectangular forms, the new tatami mats are square, darker in color, and used in unexpected configurations. Elements like the pink-hued veranda, repurposed bamboo, and reconfigured paper partitions act as poetic reinterpretations of age-old features, giving the interiors a soft contemporary edge.

Flexible Living Within Cultural Continuity

Despite a tight renovation budget of just 2.5 million yen, the project achieves a layered complexity. Spaces flow more freely due to modifications in the interior segmentation, where traditional sliding doors are reshaped to allow for visual continuity and interconnectedness between rooms. This spatial fluidity offers a modern answer to contemporary domestic needs without sacrificing the soul of the original structure.

Every gesture in this home—from repurposed beams to custom-designed furniture—contributes to a refined, calm atmosphere that honors Japan’s architectural lineage while evolving its expression.