Nomad House Residential

The recognition did not come during the site investigation itself. It came much earlier, while I was studying the original construction documents of the forty-year-old reinforced concrete building.As I carefully analysed the drawings, I felt that the project held remarkable potential. In particular, the sectional drawings revealed the original spatial composition and structural strength that had been concealed by later alterations and layers of interior finishes. I came to believe that the true value of the building lay not in adding something new, but in uncovering the latent qualities already embedded within its existing structure.That intuition became a conviction once demolition began. As the finishes were stripped away and the concrete frame was exposed, I could clearly see the spatial framework that I had imagined from the drawings. What impressed me most was the excellent condition of the concrete itself. Despite being forty years old, the structure remained sound, robust and remarkably well preserved. It reaffirmed my belief that the building possessed enduring value and was fully capable of supporting a new chapter of life. At that moment, I thought, “Just as I expected.”Following demolition, I carefully interpreted the conditions revealed on site, continuously comparing the plan layouts with the sectional studies while organising service routes and plumbing spaces. That process itself became the foundation for every design decision that followed.

While multi-location living is becoming increasingly common in Japan, this client had experienced life on a far broader scale, moving between cities across the world for many years.What struck me most was that the time spent in each city was not merely a series of temporary stays. The memories, experiences and relationships formed in those places had become an invaluable part of the client’s identity. Each city represented a different chapter of life, shaped by work, travel, encounters with people and experiences unique to that particular place.Rather than treating those memories as objects to be displayed through photographs or souvenirs, I wanted to weave them into the architecture itself. Individual rooms, and in some cases entire floors, were inspired by different cities that had played an important role in the client’s life. The intention was not to recreate those places literally, but to evoke the emotions and memories associated with them.This was achieved through carefully considered atmospheres rather than direct references. The quality of light, material textures, colours, spatial proportions and even subtle suggestions of air, scent, sound and human presence were used to trigger memories. The aim was that, in an unexpected moment, the client might be reminded of a particular street, a familiar cityscape or the distinctive atmosphere of a place once called home.For me, Nomad House Residential is more than a residence. It is a vessel for the cities, memories and experiences that have shaped the client’s life. It is neither a hotel for temporary occupation nor a conventional permanent home. Instead, it is a place where the client can reconnect with their own journey and sense of identity.Architecturally, designing a place of return between journeys means creating a home that offers continuity rather than permanence. Returning home is not simply about arriving at a physical location; it is about returning to the memories, experiences and personal history that define who we are.

I see renovation not as an act of adding new value, but as a process of discovering the value that already exists within a building.In the United Kingdom and across Europe, the continued use and adaptation of historic buildings is deeply embedded in the culture. Buildings are not regarded simply as physical structures; they are seen as repositories of history, culture and the passage of time.In contrast, Japan has long been associated with a culture of demolition and rebuilding. However, in recent years there has been a growing appreciation for the value of existing buildings and the importance of carrying them forward into the future.With Nomad House Residential, the more I studied the original construction documents and later examined the exposed structure during demolition, the more I discovered the remarkable strength and spatial potential of the building. The condition of the concrete was exceptionally good, and it became clear that this forty-year-old structure still had a long future ahead of it.For me, design is not about imposing a new identity on a building. It is about carefully reading and understanding the qualities and possibilities that already exist. That is why the first question is not, “What should we add?” but rather, “What is already here?”Buildings contain spaces, materials and craftsmanship that could only have been created in their own time. By respecting these qualities and adapting them to contemporary living, it is possible to create a depth and richness that cannot be achieved through new construction alone.Nomad House Residential was never intended as a project of preservation for its own sake. Rather, it was an effort to carry forward the accumulated value of the building and give it renewed relevance for contemporary life. For me, renovation is not about ending a building’s story; it is about allowing that story to continue into its next chapter.