A project was undertaken to renovate an entire 20-year-old rental apartment building located in Ningyocho. The design included the renovation of the common areas and the creation of five different types of residential units. The exterior of the building originally had a generic appearance with tiled facades in common color tones from the past. To completely transform the image without a full-scale renovation, design motifs were borrowed from the historical shops and heritage of Ningyocho. The second-floor level was covered with curved louvers, while the exterior wall of the first-floor entrance was intentionally preserved with the lower section acting as a base, removing the old impression of the stone material and contrasting it with the newly designed elements.

Each residential unit was targeted towards DINKS (Double Income No Kids) and single residents, with a focus on enabling both occupants to comfortably work from home. Despite being cost-effective housing, attention was given to differentiating the units by incorporating handcrafted details reminiscent of Ningyocho. The common areas featured rounded light bulbs inspired by the traditional lanterns of Ningyocho, creating a visual continuity where the city’s illumination extends to the building. The lighting intensity was planned to gradually decrease as it approached the individual units, creating a sense of calmness.