YYAA is rebuilding the eastern half of a pre-war dollhouse in Japan

YYAA Renovating only the eastern half of an old Japanese house

Kusafushi House, designed by YYAA, is the renovation of the eastern half of a pre-WWII dollhouse located in Yagi-cho, Kashihara, Nara Prefecture, Japan. The project focuses on the adaptation of an abandoned historic structure, while maintaining elements of the existing building fabric and responding to the evolving character of the urban environment.

Yagi-cho developed as a prosperous city for more than a thousand years. Unlike the nearby Imai-cho district, where Edo-era buildings are legally preserved, Yagi-cho has fewer regulations governing its historic environment. As a result, many pre-Showa buildings in the area have been demolished in recent years and gradually replaced by parking lots, prefabricated houses and rental apartments.

The clients chose to remain in Yagi-cho while contributing to the continued use of its older building stock. With the support of a local community development nonprofit, they acquired the eastern portion of a large two-unit building that had been vacant for nearly three decades.

panoramic view | all images courtesy of YYYY

The renovation of Kusafushi House breathes new life into an old framework

The building had deteriorated significantly due to prolonged closure, water intrusion and termite damage. In the process of renovation by YYAA design studiothe eastern half of the edifice was stripped back to its main structural elements. A concrete basement was installed, damaged posts and beams were replaced, and the structure was strengthened to improve seismic resistance, particularly in the event that the adjacent western half of the building may be removed in the future.

The one-story section of the house was disassembled and reassembled. Existing components were carefully selected and reused where possible. Floors, walls and ceilings were insulated, while building services and exterior doors were replaced to meet modern requirements. The interior doors were repaired and retained as part of the existing fabric material.

Refurbishment prioritizes the continued use of existing construction methods and materials rather than replacing them with standardized modern systems. Through the selective preservation and adaptation of older elements, the project creates a residential environment that accommodates current living conditions while preserving traces of the building’s historical layers. This approach supports the broader goal of preserving the cultural and architectural continuity of the Yagi-cho urban landscape.

southern elevation

facade

‘otafuku’ style window.

yard and kitchen

living room

kitchen and dining room

refectory

exposed beams

entry

Japanese room

courtyard view

project information:

name: Kusafushi House
architect: YYYY | @housing.yyaa.com

location: Yagi-cho, Kashihara, Nara Prefecture, Japan

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edited by: Christina Vergopoulou | designboom