The Harmony between Architecture and Belongings across Time: A Former ?Kenban? Turned Into a Home

© Takumi Ota

Architects: PUDDLE

Location: Hyogo Prefecture, Japan

Area: 276.0 sqm

Project Year: 2016

Photographs: Takumi Ota

Text: Masaki Kato

© Takumi Ota

The Harmony between Architecture and Belongings across Time: A Former ?Kenban? Turned Into a Home

© Takumi Ota

© Takumi Ota

Kinosaki Onsen, located in Hyogo Prefecture, is one of the leading onsen areas in Japan, with a history of over 1300 years. Just a short path in from the main street of this onsen city is a small stream, along which stands a former ?kenban? (a place for geisha performers from the onsen to gather). Built 50 years ago, and surrounded by a bamboo forest, we converted/renovated this building into a residence.
© Takumi Ota

The owner, who is originally from Hyogo Prefecture returned back to his hometown from Tokyo, and because of his friendly and caring nature, friends and acquaintances - from both near and far - often visit to have heart-to-heart conversations, or to talk about common interests, such as art. We thought it would be a perfect reflection of their personality to design the kitchen at the center, to be used as the main area for such discussions. And with a vast collecti...