Kameda House by Shioji Office: Harmonizing Tradition and Modernity in Wakayama

Kameda House, a residential renovation by Shioji Office, transforms a 40-year-old detached house in Wakayama into a harmonious blend of traditional Japanese architecture and modern design sensibilities. Originally the home of the client’s parents, the house had undergone multiple renovations and rental updates, leaving it functional but lacking a cohesive design identity. This project sought to honor the house’s history while adapting it to contemporary family life.

Preserving the Heart of the Home

At the core of the renovation was the Japanese-style room, historically used as the living space. Shioji Office retained this room, recognizing its cultural and emotional significance as the center of family life. Characterized by tatami flooring, plastered walls, and wooden pillars, the room provides a cozy and familiar environment where the family can gather, relax, or enjoy traditional furniture like a kotatsu table.

The design respects the traditional spatial hierarchy while incorporating modern interventions that enhance light, openness, and functionality. This approach allows the house to feel both familiar and refreshed.

Modern Interventions: Light and Transparency

During the renovation, walls and partitions in the surrounding areas were updated with glass panels, creating visual continuity and allowing natural light to penetrate deeper into the home. The exposed structural frame was painted white, contributing to a bright, clean aesthetic that contrasts beautifully with the warm textures of the Japanese-style room.

The floors were updated with hard, inorganic earthen materials, offering durability while complementing the traditional tatami. This combination of modern materials and traditional features achieves a balance between longevity, practicality, and comfort.

A Home for Family Living

Kameda House emphasizes a design philosophy that blends old and new, traditional and contemporary. The Japanese-style room remains a warm, inviting gathering space, while the modernized areas accommodate daily life, including cooking, dining, and leisure activities. By carefully balancing preservation and innovation, Shioji Office has created a home that honors memory, embraces functionality, and supports modern family life.

All photographs are works of  Yosuke Ohtake