kyokoto.com: 古民家の改修 renovating an old Japanese house

これは新しい動線、収納空間、kitchenなどを考えたマイ設計なんですけど、コストが高すぎて無理になった。建築家の基本として「合理的な動線を考える」ことも現実的には「分かるけど出来ひん」の場合があるですね！Although I have thought about a new "line of movement" in the renovation of an old Japanese house, at the end because the cost will be too high, this scheme is only partially adopted.

この古民家で広い玄関、囲炉裏とおくどさんがあります。玄関と囲炉裏の間を中心して高い天井空間があって、両脇は（一応）二階の空間もあります。囲炉裏から煙を分隔するために別々の二階に行く階段が必要です。正式的には箪笥階段が必要だと思う…でも予算がない場合は仮に梯子でも問題解決かな？ In this old house, there is a spacious genkan (entry space), a irori (sunken hearth) and a very traditional earth kitchen, the "okudo-san". The central part of the house that has the genkan and irori has a high ceiling, and solid walls to separate smoke that comes from the irori to the rest of the rooms. Hence, on the 2 sides of the house, separate staircases to access the (small) 2/F are needed. In the long term, tansu-staircases are the most practical. Yet if there is a shortage of budget, I imagine that even ladders would work for the time being.

Demolition in process 古い天井と壁を解体中. The previous owner had not been using the irori (central hearth), and put in a false ceiling in the central space. Also, the traditional kitchen "okudo-san" was no longer used, and one can see a generic kitchen set up towards the right. Compared to generic apartments nowadays, this is a very generous living space that can easily houses a table and some chairs.

Yet we are hoping to reconstruct a new version of a irori that would include a table comfortable enough for elderlies and foreigners as well. In fact, most Japanese restaurants nowadays have to re-design to accommodate "foot space", rather than requiring the guests to kneel or sit with crossed legs on the floor. I'm thinking that with a irori, high ceiling and the proper room partitions, in-house BBQ would be possible especially in cold days. 囲炉裏で焼き鮎が出来たら素敵ですね！

八畳の部屋で一息。Taking a rest in the 8-tatami room, that has a tokonoma and display shelves. This room is open to view of greeneries through the engawa 縁側 towards south. A nice room for the family to hang out and to enjoy the sun.

参考写真：俵屋の雪見障子。部屋から自然を楽しめるのはいいですね！