A Former Geisha Hub is Now Home to An Art Loving Family
This former kenban house in Japan is transformed for a family
Famous for the past 1,300 years, Kinosaki Onsen is one of Japan’s best-known hot spring towns. The town’s Kinosaki International Art Center (KIAC) is a well-known success story among Japan’s many community revitalisation efforts. KIAC features an artist-in-residence programme with a focus on the performing arts that supports the production of work by artists and hosts diverse events. The number of visitors to the town has grown significantly over the last few years.
The owner of Kinosaki House is the art centre’s director and his family, whose lives took a complete change in course when they moved from Tokyo to Hyogo Prefecture. They have since transformed the kenban house – a gathering place for geisha – into a chic and cosy home.
The owner of Kinosaki House is the art centre’s director and his family, whose lives took a complete change in course when they moved from Tokyo to Hyogo Prefecture. They have since transformed the kenban house – a gathering place for geisha – into a chic and cosy home.
BEFORE: This photo shows the building before the renovation. Given its kenban past, the building is, of course, not at all like a typical residence and has a distinctive look and spatial plan. Captivated by the building’s unique appeal, the family determined to make it their home. For the renovation work, the family called on architect Masaki Kato of Puddle Inc., a long-time friend who also did the renovation of their condominium when they lived in Tokyo.
A view of the living-dining-kitchen (LDK) from the top of the stairs
The building has three floors, with the living, dining, and kitchen area that is the centre of home life situated on the bright and comfortable third floor. The second floor contains the home’s private rooms, bathroom, and toilet. The ground floor is used as a storage space. Wooden ceiling beams and a striking kitchen highlight the spacious LDK area.
The building has three floors, with the living, dining, and kitchen area that is the centre of home life situated on the bright and comfortable third floor. The second floor contains the home’s private rooms, bathroom, and toilet. The ground floor is used as a storage space. Wooden ceiling beams and a striking kitchen highlight the spacious LDK area.
The LDK area is very comfortable and spacious. “The home’s design directly translates the lifestyle of its occupants into form,” says the architect.
Many friends and acquaintances visit and drop by from places both near and far, and talk about art and life in this living space. People congregate around the central kitchen island and tables, the raised floor, and other places designed to create a kind of “place of your own” where one feels truly at ease.
Many friends and acquaintances visit and drop by from places both near and far, and talk about art and life in this living space. People congregate around the central kitchen island and tables, the raised floor, and other places designed to create a kind of “place of your own” where one feels truly at ease.
This “place of your own” design is easy to see in the floor plan. The raised floor, kitchen island, and furniture arrangement create a kind of soft zoning in this large and open space.
BEFORE: For instance, the third floor was originally a large dance rehearsal space for the geisha and had a practice stage on the south side. (The photo shows the third floor before the renovation. The practice stage is the area with wood flooring in the foreground.) With no natural light, the interior was brightly lit with fluorescent lighting, even during the day.
AFTER: Architect Kato liked the stage with its elevated floor, so he reduced its depth by about half and made a “place of your own” in the form of a raised floor (visible in the rear of the photo). The sofa in front of the raised floor is yet another “place of your own”.
On the right in the photo is the slightly raised space seen from the side. The area makes a perfect play spot for their daughter and her friends.
When the family is spending private time alone as well, there are favourite “places of your own” that fit the mood of the moment for enjoying tea or a meal.
For instance, the family dines at the green table (designed by architect Jo Nagasaka) opposite the kitchen island, and teatime is enjoyed at the round table by the window. Of course, the big kitchen island is also a place for fellowship and conversation.
For instance, the family dines at the green table (designed by architect Jo Nagasaka) opposite the kitchen island, and teatime is enjoyed at the round table by the window. Of course, the big kitchen island is also a place for fellowship and conversation.
A corner on the north side of the third floor with the best view in the house is a workspace for the mother, who works at home. The window has a generous view of the town and river. This, then, is a “place of your own” for her work.
While open and joined to the living room, it is designed as a somewhat secluded space so that she can focus on her work and still feel the family’s presence.
While open and joined to the living room, it is designed as a somewhat secluded space so that she can focus on her work and still feel the family’s presence.
Equally noteworthy along with its “place of your own” qualities is a detail design that creates a space with “sophistication”.
The contest judges also singled out the LDK area for its “exceptional sophistication,” and the key to this “sophistication” lies in the interior detail. For instance, rather than simply relying on a uniform colour tone, the colour scheme is a subtle arrangement of tones of grey, the interior’s key hue. The coordination of subtle shades of grey covering the walls, kitchen island, ceiling, and radiation heating system both highlights the presence of the beams and brings depth to the space.
The contest judges also singled out the LDK area for its “exceptional sophistication,” and the key to this “sophistication” lies in the interior detail. For instance, rather than simply relying on a uniform colour tone, the colour scheme is a subtle arrangement of tones of grey, the interior’s key hue. The coordination of subtle shades of grey covering the walls, kitchen island, ceiling, and radiation heating system both highlights the presence of the beams and brings depth to the space.
The large, striking wooden beams also contribute to the “sophistication” of the spacious third floor. The removal of ceiling boards when the renovation began revealed these rustic beams cladded with planks hidden in the roof’s attic structure.
Rather than for the visual design, the planks had been added to increase structural strength of the beams. Since dance rehearsals need an unobstructed view, the space needed to be column-free on the short side. So, it is assumed that to support these long span beams, planks had been added to their sides to increase their strength.
Rather than for the visual design, the planks had been added to increase structural strength of the beams. Since dance rehearsals need an unobstructed view, the space needed to be column-free on the short side. So, it is assumed that to support these long span beams, planks had been added to their sides to increase their strength.
“When we removed the ceiling and I saw these beams, I thought their appearance with the planks on their sides was fantastic. I decided ‘let’s use this detail just as it is!’ So we left the beams exposed, and designed lighting to highlight their presence,” says the architect.
The LDK area is spacious, but the northward side is by no means bright, so besides the windows it needs ample lighting. In addition to downlights, ambient light above the beams radiates off the ceiling and walls to fill the space with natural light.
The LDK area is spacious, but the northward side is by no means bright, so besides the windows it needs ample lighting. In addition to downlights, ambient light above the beams radiates off the ceiling and walls to fill the space with natural light.
When viewed from the long side, as in the photo above, the rows of beams have a striking presence, but up close one feels a pleasant airy openness when between them.
“I think air volume is very important to spatial design. Ample air volume creates a vibrant space, and I think this interior achieves that,” says Kato.
“I think air volume is very important to spatial design. Ample air volume creates a vibrant space, and I think this interior achieves that,” says Kato.
Besides this ample air volume, when taking into account the region’s winter climate and the home’s lack of exposure to sunlight, good heating is essential. And given that it is a wooden structure built decades ago, as well as the need for safety with a small child in the home and renovation workability, a PS Group radiation heating system was installed. It is the pipe system that looks like a series of stripes in the left of the photo. The system warms air without bringing in impurities.
Rooms for personal use are on the second floor. A bathroom is in the centre, which is surrounded by a hallway along which the rooms are arranged.
This is the second floor entryway. After entering the home on the ground floor, one goes up a stairway to the second floor entry and then on to the living space from there. So as not to obstruct sunlight coming in through the windows, it has an open design with a glass door.
Before the renovation, the second floor was a generally dark space. In addition, the south side is next to a cliff and receives no sunlight at all. So, the renovation includes contrivances that exploit light from the floor above and off the walls.
A section of the second floor hallway has a space that is intentionally wide. This particular “place of your own” is a play area for the child and her friends.
The master bedroom walls are luan plywood along with a section with a mortar finish. The ceiling between the beams and two of the room’s walls have a diatomite plaster finish.
The diatomite finish is useful for dealing with humidity, needless to say, but that’s not the only reason it was used here. “Sodenaga Kensetsu, the company that did the construction work, is run by a high school friend of the owner. Now, it was the first time that I worked with him, and when I learned that his company once specialised in plasterwork, I decided to take advantage of this skill, and that’s why more than a few sections of the second floor have a plaster finish,” says Kato.
The diatomite finish is useful for dealing with humidity, needless to say, but that’s not the only reason it was used here. “Sodenaga Kensetsu, the company that did the construction work, is run by a high school friend of the owner. Now, it was the first time that I worked with him, and when I learned that his company once specialised in plasterwork, I decided to take advantage of this skill, and that’s why more than a few sections of the second floor have a plaster finish,” says Kato.
The second floor washsbasin is finished in luan plywood with an FRP coating.
“Even the washbasin has a coated finish. A plasterer applied a transparent resin finish. It’s a very thin sink built from wood.”
“Even the washbasin has a coated finish. A plasterer applied a transparent resin finish. It’s a very thin sink built from wood.”
This photo is the daughter’s bedroom. The ceiling is pink, her favourite colour.
While the doors and floors of the private rooms on the second floor reuse the sheathing wood board and other materials that were there before the renovation, they are laid differently in each room so that each one has its own character.
While the doors and floors of the private rooms on the second floor reuse the sheathing wood board and other materials that were there before the renovation, they are laid differently in each room so that each one has its own character.
The colour of the wall in the toilet is a nuanced shade of blue.
“I think smaller rooms are more interesting when they have personality. A personal room is just that: personal. So, for this home, while the large space on the third floor has a composed presentation, the more compact rooms, such as the wife’s workspace and the rooms on the second floor, all have their own distinctive colour scheme. Of course, a home uniformly designed around a single concept is a valid approach, but I think a home with rooms that each have their own character is more enjoyable. The concept of a large and open space on the third floor and distinctive private rooms on the second floor is what makes this home unique. It is very satisfying when it makes a lasting impression on visitors,” says the architects.
“I think smaller rooms are more interesting when they have personality. A personal room is just that: personal. So, for this home, while the large space on the third floor has a composed presentation, the more compact rooms, such as the wife’s workspace and the rooms on the second floor, all have their own distinctive colour scheme. Of course, a home uniformly designed around a single concept is a valid approach, but I think a home with rooms that each have their own character is more enjoyable. The concept of a large and open space on the third floor and distinctive private rooms on the second floor is what makes this home unique. It is very satisfying when it makes a lasting impression on visitors,” says the architects.
The building is wood construction from the second floor up, while the ground floor is reinforced concrete. The ground floor is at present used mostly for storage.
At the owner’s request, the renovation installed a unique contrivance in the home. A dumbwaiter connects the area next to the ground floor entrance (the left in the photo) and the wife’s third floor workspace (the right in the photo). It was custom-made jointly by Kato and the construction company using plywood, winches, and other parts. Large purchases, cases of beer, package deliveries, and anything else can be easily transported to the third floor on the dumbwaiter.
The exterior after the renovation. The façade is mostly unaltered, except for third floor windows that open pleasantly to the outside. Now, in this home, along with light from the windows, one can imagine the sound of lively conversation.
Read more:
Houzz Tour: Inspired By Japan, Created With Precision12 Elements That Define a Traditional Japanese Home
Tell us:
What do you think of this home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Read more:
Houzz Tour: Inspired By Japan, Created With Precision12 Elements That Define a Traditional Japanese Home
Tell us:
What do you think of this home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives there: Married couple + one child
Location: Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture
Architect: Masaki Kato of PUDDLE Inc.
Construction: Sodenaga Kensetsu
Size: Three above ground floors
Structure: wood
Site area: 274.27m²
Total floor area: 276m²
Completion date: December 2015 (phase 1)/February 2016 (phase 2)
When the owner first returned to his native prefecture, he and his family lived in a house in a residential district in the mountains. One day, the family visited Kinosaki and came across this 50-year-old building. Sitting one street away from the hot spring town’s main street, and with a small river along its frontage and a bamboo grove behind it, the home was originally a kenban, a gathering place for geisha who worked at the hot springs. This photo shows the view of the river in front of the house.