Kamakura House by ROOVICE: A Harmonious Renovation Rooted in Nature and Nostalgia

Revitalizing a 1991 Hillside Home in Historic Kamakura

Set amidst the scenic hills of Kamakura’s Ōmachi district, Kamakura House by ROOVICE is a thoughtfully renovated residence that merges traditional Japanese aesthetics with contemporary spatial logic. Originally constructed in 1991, the house suffered from a fragmented layout that separated the kitchen, living, and tatami rooms, creating inefficient circulation and underutilized spaces.

The architectural renovation redefined the spatial experience by eliminating unnecessary partitions, emphasizing fluidity, natural light, and multifunctional design. Surrounded by lush landscapes on a hillside plot, the updated residence now captures the harmony between built form and environment — a hallmark of modern Japanese residential architecture.

Opening the Floor Plan: From Compartmentalized to Connected

The core of the renovation lies in the transformation of the first floor, where ROOVICE removed dividing walls to unify the living and Japanese-style rooms. This strategic intervention resulted in a generous, open-plan living space that stretches north to south, enhancing visual connectivity and natural light distribution.

A new kitchen island was installed at the south end of the home, and the original kitchen was cleverly repurposed as a hobby confectionery area. The island now serves as a central gathering point for the family, doubling as a secondary dining area and offering tactile interaction with traditional design cues.

Rounded plasterboard edges soften circulation paths, while wide west-facing openings fill the interior with sunlight — allowing the architects to close off two redundant south-facing windows in favor of additional shelving space.

Material Warmth and Architectural Memory

Preserving the memory of the original structure was essential to the renovation’s philosophy. The design celebrates the house’s age through intentional exposure of the wooden beam structure, revealing craftsmanship that had long been concealed. To complement this authenticity, large-format ceramic tiles with a reflective surface—evocative of water—were chosen for the flooring, echoing the timber’s tone and engaging the interplay of light.

A key design highlight is the kitchen counter, which features nostalgic 10x10 cm white tiles reminiscent of the Japanese modern era. This tactile detail brings a subtle vintage charm to the otherwise modernized space.

Revamping the Tatami Room and Engawa for Modern Living

The former Japanese-style tatami room underwent one of the most dramatic changes. By integrating the storage space into the room and harmonizing material finishes with the adjacent living space, the area now feels significantly more expansive and versatile.

The engawa (内縁, Uchien) — traditionally a narrow veranda-like sunroom — was reimagined as a creative reading nook with a newly installed bookshelf. Separated by original Yukimi Shoji (snow-viewing paper screens), the space can be closed off to create a serene, light-filled hideaway.

A Modest, Minimalist Approach to the Upper Level

While the first floor saw substantial transformations, the second-floor renovation embraced a light-touch strategy due to budget limitations and the relatively good condition of the existing structure. Minimal yet thoughtful changes include:

• Wooden flooring in the toilet area, matching the hallway and bedroom finishes
• A DIY-woven texture floor in the southwest studio, completed by the homeowners
• New darker sliding doors in the Japanese-style bedroom to align better with the overall material palette

These interventions reinforce the home’s cohesive materiality while honoring its layered history.

 A Sensitive Dialogue Between Old and New

Kamakura House by ROOVICE exemplifies a sensitive approach to residential renovation in Japan, where modern living needs are thoughtfully integrated with traditional architectural elements. By embracing exposed structure, tactile materials, and contextual minimalism, the project offers a warm, adaptable, and character-rich home — firmly rooted in its natural and historical surroundings.

All Photographs are works of Akira Nakamura