House in Tamagawa

Located along the verdant banks of the Tama River, this renovation of a vintage condominium unit draws inspiration from its distinctive surroundings and tiled architecture. The design distills the building’s exterior identity—specifically its unglazed terracotta and white glazed tiles—into the interior through a refined material palette. Textured carpets and oak veneers finished with translucent white oil harmonize with the facade’s materiality, while a deliberate contrast in the kitchen and wet areas serves to accentuate the unique character of each zone. A significant challenge was the building’s rigid management regulations, which initially prohibited any deviations from the original specifications. Through persistent negotiation, we secured approval for layout changes and material selections that do not alter the unit’s technical performance. This project established a vital precedent for the complex, proposing a model where private renovations and communal design mutually inform and elevate the collective value of the architecture.