The Sa_Yu House, designed by architectural firm FATHOM, represents an innovative approach to residential design that seamlessly blends renovation with new construction. Located on a hillside site in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, this 189-square-meter project redefines the concept of dwelling by overlapping two distinct temporal layers through renovation and extension.
Led by architect Hiroyuki Nakamoto, the project began with the careful renovation of a 70-year-old wooden single-story house, preserving its historical character while adapting it for contemporary use. The design team, including Naoki Itaya, approached this renovation with sensitivity to the building's original structure and architectural heritage, maintaining the essence of traditional Japanese residential design.
The project's most striking feature is the addition of a new community wing at the rear of the site, which transforms the private residence into what the architects describe as 'an architecture of relationships.' This extension creates spaces where people, time, and architectural elements are gently intertwined, fostering community interaction while respecting the privacy of the original dwelling.
Completed in 2025, the Sa_Yu House showcases meticulous attention to detail in both its material selection and spatial organization. The project incorporates high-quality lighting fixtures from FLOS, including their STRING LIGHT SPHERE HEAD series, and furniture from MARUNI's lightwood collection, demonstrating the architects' commitment to integrating contemporary design elements with traditional architectural forms.
The collaborative nature of the project is evident in its comprehensive team approach. Engineering and consulting services were provided by Tatsugo Shono of Shono Paint Works, while landscape architecture was handled by Hiroshi Nagao of Nagao lab. Mechanical engineering was overseen by Kengo Tanaka, ensuring that all technical aspects of the renovation and extension were executed to the highest standards.
Photographer Tatsuya Tabii captured the completed project, documenting how the dual-layer approach successfully creates a harmonious dialogue between old and new architectural elements. The images reveal how the renovation respects the original structure's proportions and materials while the new community wing provides a contemporary counterpoint that enhances rather than overwhelms the historic building.
The Sa_Yu House stands as a testament to FATHOM's architectural philosophy of creating spaces that honor the past while embracing the future. By treating renovation and extension as complementary processes rather than competing approaches, the project demonstrates how thoughtful architectural intervention can breathe new life into aging structures while creating opportunities for enhanced community engagement and modern living.
