Shirokanedai House Renovation: Harmonizing Traditional Japanese Architecture with Modern Design

The Shirokanedai House Renovation is a meticulous reinterpretation of a 50-year-old two-storey wooden home located in Tokyo’s vibrant Minato ward. Commissioned by a seasoned real estate professional, the property had been long rented out. Upon regaining control, the owner sought a renovation that preserved the building’s original character while modernizing it for continued rental use. With demolition costs in Japan being high and the structure in generally good condition, ROOVICE transformed the home into a contemporary, functional, and aesthetically compelling space.

Structural Upgrades and Earthquake Resilience

A key focus of the renovation was earthquake-resistant reinforcement, ensuring both safety and longevity. The structural improvements laid the groundwork for the aesthetic and functional upgrades that followed. By strengthening the building’s core, the renovation achieved a balance between modern performance standards and preservation of the home’s original charm.

Ground Floor Transformation

The original first-floor layout featured dark, compartmentalized rooms, typical of older Japanese homes. To create a more open and inviting interior, ROOVICE removed the dividing walls and ceiling boards, combining the former kitchen and two tatami rooms into a single, expansive living space.

• Walls were repainted in crisp white, replacing the dull gray tones and enhancing natural light.
• New windows were installed, filling the space with daylight and improving ventilation.
• Tatami floors were replaced with sleek hemlock wooden flooring, covering the traditional kotatsu stove pit.
• The kitchen and corridor floors feature clinker tiles, complemented by a custom-made kitchen counter for modern functionality.

A triangle-shaped built-in cupboard in the corridor wall was highlighted by a diagonal wall leading into the kitchen, creating visual continuity. A glass door, designed to mirror the cupboard’s shape, enhances both practicality and aesthetics.

Bathroom and Utility Enhancements

The bathroom underwent significant improvements to optimize space and functionality:

• Washing machine accommodation was expanded.
• PVC flooring replaced older surfaces in the front bathroom area.
• A new bathtub was installed alongside white wall tiles, while Tamaishi tiles—small pebble-like stones reminiscent of the Shōwa era—were used for bathroom and toilet floors.
• The wooden steps leading to the garden were replaced with traditional stone steps, strengthening the indoor-outdoor connection.

These updates reinforce the home’s blend of traditional charm and modern practicality, reflecting thoughtful attention to detail.

Second-Floor Renovation

Upstairs, ROOVICE carefully balanced modern updates with preservation of traditional elements:

• The old corridor kitchenette was removed, and the wall was tiled with the same clinker tiles used on the first floor.
• Existing tatami rooms were retained with new tatami mats and refurbished shoji doors.
• Flooring and windows were updated to match the ground floor, maintaining cohesive interior continuity.
• In a third room, deteriorated wooden boards were replaced with lauan wood, and a beige carpet added warmth and texture.
• The balcony received waterproofing treatment, and the fencing was repainted black, adding subtle modern elegance.

These renovations enhance safety, comfort, and visual coherence, bridging traditional Japanese living with contemporary design solutions.

Design Philosophy and Impact

The Shirokanedai House Renovation exemplifies ROOVICE’s approach to adaptive reuse and residential renovation. By integrating modern materials, safety upgrades, and traditional Japanese elements, the project achieves:

• Enhanced earthquake resilience
• Open, light-filled interiors
• Seamless indoor-outdoor connections
• Functional kitchens and bathrooms for modern living
• Preservation of cultural and historical character

This project not only revitalizes a historic home but also ensures its continued appeal for rental or family use, demonstrating the potential of thoughtful renovations in dense urban Japanese contexts.

Through careful planning and expert execution, the Shirokanedai House Renovation achieves a harmonious blend of heritage preservation, modern comfort, and aesthetic refinement. ROOVICE’s design ensures that the home remains safe, functional, and visually compelling while honoring its traditional Japanese roots, a prime example of successful adaptive reuse in Tokyo’s residential architecture.

All photographs are works of  Akira Nakamura