An Architect Transforms Kyoto Townhouses
Shigenori Uoya is an architect in Kyoto who specializes in remodeling Japanese townhouses called machiya. A master of incorporating light in moody and dark machiyas, he is behind many projects we look up to, including Maana Homes.
PUBLISHED
AUTHORTina Koyama
Published April 21st 2018 on the former blog
Does it ever happen to you that you come across some amazing designs and end up finding out that one person is behind it? In my case that person that captured my attention is Shigenori Uoya, an architect in Kyoto specializing in Machiya (Japanese for “town house”) remodels.
First time I saw is work was when a friend told me about the Moyashi House. 120 years ago the house used to serve as a plantation site for seed malt used in the sake production and was called “Moyashi”. Today the house can be used as a guest house, an event space and many other things which you can inquire about on their site.
Photo by Moyashi House
Photo by Moyashi House
A few months later I met Sayuri Ikeda, one of the founders of Viajes, Inc. who was the mastermind behind Moyashi House and has since worked with the architect on another project called the Tsukihi House. From the outside the house looks like many others you’ll see in Kyoto but when you enter it you’ll be surprised by the interior design. This house now serves as a guest house accommodating 2 people and can booked on their website.
Photo by Tsukihi House
Photo by Tsukihi House
The last house I’m going to introduce here is Maana Homes. They popped up in one of my Instagram recommendations which I of course immediately followed. I only found out recently that this house was also renovated by Uoya-san.
Photo by Maana Homes
Photo by Maana Homes
Shigenori Uoya has recently also joined a new Houzz-like community called ZenVita where you can see more of his projects and even get in touch with him!
Featured photo by Maana Homes
PUBLISHED
AUTHORTina Koyama
