Kyoto Machiya Renovation: House Mokusei by Atelier Yoo

Reviving a Century-Old Kyo-Machiya

House Mokusei by Atelier Yoo is a striking example of Kyoto machiya renovation, breathing new life into a century-old townhouse in Kyoto’s Shimogyo Ward. Once a fragmented and altered space, the project restores the architectural integrity of the traditional Kyo-machiya while adapting it for modern hospitality use.

Historical Roots of the Kyo-Machiya

Kyoto’s machiya heritage dates back over 1,200 years, shaped by the jōbō grid system imported from Tang dynasty China. By the Edo period, the machiya—defined by narrow street frontage and elongated interiors—had become the city’s signature housing type. Known as “eel’s beds” (unagi no nedoko) for their slim proportions, these townhouses followed a distinctive spatial flow from public to private, with the doma (earthen passage), hibukuro (smoke chimney void), and sequential tatami rooms defining daily life.

Restoring Order and Flow

Before renovation, House Mokusei had lost much of its original spatial logic. The façade and street-facing mise space were gone, the doma was disrupted by a raised kitchen platform, and the hibukuro void was closed off. Atelier Yoo’s design unfolded in two stages: reestablishing the typology’s spatial order and integrating modern functions for a lodging facility.

Key moves included pulling the façade back to its original position to create a front garden, removing the raised doma platform to restore a longitudinal flow, and combining the mise and daidoko into an open-plan living space with adjusted floor heights. A central “device” incorporating the kitchen stove, dining table, and utilities was positioned between the doma and living area, enhancing the spatial transition.

Bringing Light, Air, and Continuity

The restoration of the hibukuro as a light and ventilation source was central to the renovation’s success. All wiring, ducts, and exhausts were intentionally exposed within this vertical shaft, honoring the functional honesty of the traditional structure. The result is a renewed permeability, connecting nature and architecture, past and present.

Blending Tradition with Modern Hospitality

House Mokusei now serves as a lodging space, offering four distinct room types: traditional washitsu, modern washitsu, Western-style, and suite. The washitsu rooms retain tatami flooring for flexible sleeping arrangements, while the Western and suite rooms cater to guests preferring beds and contemporary furniture.

A Lesson in Typology and Cultural Value

The renovation is a testament to how typological study can guide sensitive design. By understanding the original Kyo-machiya logic, Atelier Yoo balanced preservation with adaptation, creating a space that resonates with Kyoto’s cultural identity while meeting modern needs. As Aldo Rossi observed, the city’s physical form expresses enduring values—House Mokusei embodies this principle in architectural form.

All photographs are works of Kazuoki Yasugi, Song Gao