The house is located in the suburbs of Matsuyama, a northwestern city of Shikoku, a region famous for ohenro, or the Shikoku pilgrimage. The structure is very long and narrow, extending north to south. 

© Shigeo Ogawa

Architects: Takashi Okuno Architectural Design Office

Location: Ehime Prefecture, Japan

Area: 141.59 sqm

Project Year: 2016

Photographs: Shigeo Ogawa

© Shigeo Ogawa

The house is located in the suburbs of Matsuyama, a northwestern city of Shikoku, a region famous for ohenro, or the Shikoku pilgrimage. The structure is very long and narrow, extending north to south. 

© Shigeo Ogawa

It is the home of a gregarious and energetic elderly mother and her daughter who values the practice of cooking meals slowly and intentionally, along with two cautious cats. 
© Shigeo Ogawa

As a space in which the mother may fully enjoy her hobby of shigin (performing Japanese or Chinese poems) with her friends, a Japanese style room, complete with a bench, was placed on the side that faces the road. Its ceiling and walls are finished with a Japanese style sakan plastering that uses diatomite, and common reed is used to cover the ochi-tenjo? (part of a ceiling that is built lower than the rest, under which the host would sit to show humility). The result is a modern look. 

...