HACHI HOUSE

Rather than just disposing of things that have aged, more and more people are rethinking the idea of disposal, looking for ways to make use of advantageous aspects of things, and use things more caringly for longer periods of time. There is even a movement in the building industry to rethink the way older buildings can be reused.Sendagaya Ryokuen House is a next-generation apartment building leading the way with the innovative Refining® Architecture building refurbishment approach, and is the first condominium building in Japan to have had this approach applied.

Although these apartments are in a prime location, in close proximity to the lush Shinjuku Gyoen Park, and only a 3 min walk from Sendagaya Station, one of the central JR train station, they had become difficult to manage as rental properties. Thus, Hachi House engaged in a project to renew these 43-year-old, ageing apartments, maintain their value and sell them as condominiums with the assistance of Refining® Architecture advocate architect Shigeru Aoki .

As building codes have been revised, they have become stricter than they were when older buildings were erected. This building at Sendagaya is no exception - with today’s regulations, it would be impossible to rebuild it to the same size or height, and some would like to see buildings from the era of the original owners kept. Thus, with the help of Refining® Architecture, we were able to rejuvenate the building so that it has the same value as a new one. Because this project was the first of its type for a Japanese condominium building, it was extensively covered in the media.

The interior was designed by Sept Jasmin, a company that specializes in luxury interiors for commercial premises such as hotels and spas both in Japan and around the world, while the lighting was designed by Sirius Lighting Office, a company that boasts achievements with the Tokyo Sky Tree lighting design and the Hamarikyu Gardens light up. Both the interior and exterior of the building have been designed with careful attention to detail.
Designed with awareness of harmony with the natural aspects of Shinjuku Gyoen Park, the project places importance on natural tones and textures with refined quality. The building also incorporates a wood-grain grege color scheme to produce a gentle space that is soft to the eye.

About Refining® ArchitectureThis is a building renewal technique advocated by architect Shigeru Aoki. With 25 years experience, Shigeru Aoki Architect & Associates continue to use their proprietary technologies to renew and reuse old buildings to recover their economic value.

Typical renovations entail costs for planning and works such as design, equipment and seismic reinforcing, whereas Refining® Architecture takes a comprehensive approach performing the work simultaneously to bring about renovation and repair work with better economic effects. Similarly, new buildings or extra finishing can be achieved with better-than-usual cost effectiveness.

Building overviewLocale: Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, TokyoAccess: 3 min. walk from Sendagaya Station on the JR Chuo Line/Sobu Line 4 min. walk from Kokuristu Kyogijo Station on the Toei Oedo line8 min. walk from Kitasando Station on the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line10 min. walk from Yoyogi Station on the JR Yamanote lineStructure and scale: Reinforced concrete 7-story Built: April 1970Refining ® Architecture completed: March, 2014Total units: 17 (Condominiums: 14, Offices: 3,)