House in Shikishima

A renovation of a lightweight steel-frame house in Maebashi, Gunma. Originally a grandparents’ home, the space was reconfigured for a family of five by removing all interior partitions—a feat made possible by the load-bearing exterior walls. The layout was designed to harmonize with the family’s furniture and a future pellet stove, featuring personal lockers and a generous laundry area on the first floor. On the second floor, compact private rooms use screw-fixed plywood walls, allowing for easy DIY modifications as life stages evolve. By treating storage and partitions as integrated furniture, the design creates a flexible environment that elevates the building’s rational steel frame into a distinct design accent.