A ‘vacant house renovation’ public project bridging old and new
In Japan, the combination of a prolonged recession following the economic revival of the 1990s, alongside the effects of an aging and declining population, has resulted in a growing number of vacant houses, commonly referred to as ’Akiya’. This issue has become a significant social concern, with around ten million vacant homes across the country. It is projected that by 2038, vacant houses will make up approximately 31% of all residences, reflecting the country’s demographic challenges.
One innovative response to this issue is the Eifukucho house renovation project, a public initiative aimed at revitalizing vacant homes for rental purposes without placing financial burdens on the homeowner. The house in question, a 70-year-old traditional Japanese-style residence, is situated in Eifukucho, a quiet, densely populated residential area just a few stops from Tokyo’s bustling Shibuya district. Despite its urban setting, the house features a garden and parking space. Originally, the first floor served as the homeowner’s living quarters, while the second floor functioned as a boarding house with shared spaces. When the owner could no longer maintain the boarding business, modifications were made to accommodate elderly residents, including the installation of an elevator. However, the house eventually sat vacant for several years, though it remained well-maintained.
Many traditional Japanese features were preserved in the renovation, such as the tatami floors, shoji paper doors, and the stone-paved doma (an earthen-floored entryway). Since there was no specific target tenant, the project focused on preserving these traditional elements while adapting the space for modern living. Recognizing the potential for leasing, the two floors were converted into independent units. However, to allow for future reconnection, the original staircase was cleverly concealed behind a wall, with the bottom two steps left exposed in the first-floor living room. These steps now serve as functional elements, repurposed as seating, shelving, or decorative features. The external staircase leading to the second floor was painted red, and the elevator was removed, with the shaft converted into storage space.
On the first floor, the layout remained mostly intact, but to improve natural light and airflow, corridor walls were removed, exposing the wooden columns. This opened up the space, integrating the living and dining areas. The second floor saw similar updates, with walls removed to create a more open plan. The ceiling boards were also taken down, revealing wooden beams, which were painted white to give the space a more expansive feel. To allow sunlight to flood the corridor facing the garden, the shoji doors on the south-facing side were retained. The kitchen was modernized with 10×10cm tiles from Japan’s modern era, which harmonize with the house’s traditional ambiance. Small details, such as the original light switches, were preserved to maintain continuity between the home’s past and present.
Project: Eifukuchō House / Location: Eifuku, Suginami City, Tokyo, Japan / Architect: Roovice / Lead Architects: Maoko Sato / Use: house / Gross floor area: 130m2 / Bldg. scale: two stories above ground / Material: wooden / Completion: 2020 / Photograph: ©Akira Nakamura (courtesy of the architect)
