四谷の宿

This is a renovation project for a guesthouse on the second floor of a multi-tenant building in Yotsuya Saneicho.

Facing a park, the open and expansive environment holds significant potential within the urban context of Shinjuku. By drawing in the surrounding calm atmosphere and unobstructed views as much as possible, the space is redefined as one where urban convenience blends seamlessly with the comfort of everyday life.

Upon entering, a plaster-finished tōri-doma (earthen passageway) extends straight toward the back of the space. Traditionally found in Japanese townhouses, the tōri-doma is a type of entry space where one can remain with shoes on. By reinterpreting this traditional element and intentionally expanding its domain, a sense of spatial richness is created within the constraints of a compact urban setting.

Additionally, by positioning the doma on the east side and consolidating functions such as the kitchen, wet areas, and bedroom on the west side, a clear contrast between light and shadow is established within the space.

Proposed as a space familiar to anyone – regardless of nationality or generation – the project offers a stay enveloped in a uniquely Japanese sense of subtle elegance and comfort. The flexibility of connecting rooms through sliding partitions, the soft light filtering through shoji screens, and elements such as a raised bench nestled between the doma and the bedroom all reinterpret traditional spatial concepts. Together, they cultivate a diversity of places to inhabit, enriching the experience within a limited space.