A timber home renovation by Kochi Architect’s Studio takes top prize at the 2022 AR House awards

A renovated timber-frame house in Tokyo from Kochi Architect’s Studio has been awarded the winner of the 2022 AR House awards by the Architectural Review.

The jury compiled selected the Studio’s Yuka to Tenjo (Floor to Ceiling House) design out of a 15-entry shortlist announced earlier in November. The project entailed a seismic retrofit and introduction of new flexible spaces into a 90-square-meter (969-square-foot), two-story structure originally completed during Japan’s post-War residential boom in the 1950s. 

Jurist Alice Casey of TAKA Architects spoke glowingly of the renovation's spatial strategy, stating that by shifting the floor plates, you can create all these little tailored spaces [...] sometimes such projects can feel contorted, but this one doesn’t, which is a difficult thing to achieve." 

Casey and Atelier Bow-Wow co-founder Momoyo Taijima added, "The structure, which is usually hidden, becomes part of the space in a nice way, also maximizing the height of the space."

Two Highly Commended projects by Ekar Architects' Dog/Human House in Thailand and Atelier tho.A's Vietnamese House 101 design joins Kochi Architect's Studio during this year's AR House Awards recognition. 

According to Casey when commenting on Ekar Architect's project, she described it as "a simple idea is deftly done; there is a beauty in how it’s been made. The ease of detailing is a sign that it was hard to do."

Juror Martino Tattara commented on Atelier tho.A's project and stated it was "an interesting take on a local typology and a nice way of bringing a courtyard and open spaces into the project."

Three additional projects were also recognized and commended by the jury. 

• Sala Areeya in Bangkok, Thailand by Chat Architects
• Casa Eva in Ocuilan, Mexico by Fernanda Canales Arquitectura
• Brillhut in The Bahamas by Brillhart Architects

More information about this year's awards can be found here.