Located in Bunkyodai, Ebetsu City, the site is nestled in a lush residential area adjacent to a vast 2,000-hectare natural park.

Originally developed about 40 years ago as a bedroom community for nearby Sapporo, the area is now one of the most rapidly aging regions in the suburbs, with residents aged 65 and over making up about 40% of the population.

This project began with the renovation of my late grandmother’s 36-year-old house. Though it had been rented out for many years, the house had deteriorated to the point where maintenance costs exceeded the rental income. Selling it wasn’t a viable option either, as the property had essentially become a “negative asset” with almost no market value.

While there is a growing appreciation for aged items—such as vintage clothing, classic cars, and antique tools—this mindset has not yet fully taken hold in the realm of housing. Yet, many mass-produced homes from the past contain high-quality wood that is now difficult to obtain.

With the concept of “preserving the good and integrating the new,” we aimed to create a comfortably weathered home with character and warmth. Rather than opting for new construction, we embraced a skeleton renovation that preserved the existing structure, designing it as a home for two.

The spatial design features slightly shifted room placements that create distinct places to dwell. With minimal doors and a continuous, open-plan layout, the space connects vertically through a central atrium. Despite a modest total floor area of just 80 square meters , the home feels spacious and open. In the living room, a wood-burning stove chimney stands as a symbolic centerpiece. Varying ceiling heights and materials in different zones add both depth and contrast.

Our hobbies—indoor plants and aquariums—are thoughtfully integrated into the space using custom shelving and perforated boards, blending with the architecture while maintaining their own presence. The stove, greenery, and water elements each add personality while remaining in harmony.

We repurposed solid-wood sliding doors from the original house as top-hung sliding doors. The dining table was handcrafted by a carpenter using thick stair treads (30mm solid wood) from the existing house. Exposed ceiling beams were left untouched, while only the new materials were stained to highlight the texture of the old wood.

Ebetsu experiences severe winters, with snow accumulations exceeding 5 meters. Although not a certified high-insulation home, the renovation achieved thermal performance exceeding Hokkaido’s standards. Even on mornings when the outside temperature drops to -14°C, the interior holds at 17°C even after the stove goes out. A duct system circulates warm air from the second floor to the first, reducing temperature variation.

The design balances performance, budget, and running costs. We reused construction offcuts and local reclaimed timber, keeping heating costs low while also enjoying cooking with the wood stove.

In an aging neighborhood like this, even a single new home can bring a sense of renewal and optimism. We installed a bench at the entrance where anyone can sit and rest, and designed the front porch to be adorned with plants in the summer and used for firewood storage in the winter.

Through everyday life, we hope to foster small but meaningful connections with the surrounding community.