Renovated in 2025 by Tsutsumi And Associates, the House of Kura-do integrates unique antique elements throughout this apartment located in Tokyo, Japan. The designers reconfigured the original layout, transforming the cramped space into an inviting home with two bedrooms and a Japanese-style room that can function as a guest room if needed. Characterized by textures and finishes derived from nature, the design exudes timeless elegance that resonates with both architecture and the client’s personal heritage.
Kura-do Feature Antique Textured Glass That Diffuses Light
These doors combine decorative appeal with practical strength, and in this project, four unique antique kura-do were sourced and carefully restored to fit new openings designed specifically for them. The original finishes varied in tone and texture due to sun exposure and thick layers of paint, so all surfaces were stripped to reveal the rich natural grain of solid woods such as cedar, cypress, and zelkova. Rare antique textured glass, with a faceted surface that diffuses light and obscures vision, was also inserted into the doors as a striking design accent.
Original Layout Reconfigured, Expanding Cramped Apartment
The original layout—a cramped three-bedroom apartment with an open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area—was reconfigured into a more spacious two-bedroom home. A Japanese-style room was added adjacent to the new living-dining-kitchen (LDK) area, forming a continuous space that can be enclosed with sliding doors to function as a guest room when needed. Between the master bedroom and bathroom, a tempered glass wall creates a sense of openness, allowing views of Tokyo’s night skyline from the bath through the bedroom.
A dimmable privacy film was applied to the glass, and wooden blinds on the bedroom side ensure complete privacy when required. The bathroom features a custom-made unit bath fitted with a cypress tub, cypress louvers on the walls, and flooring and wainscoting in Towada stone, creating a refined and luxurious atmosphere.
Natural Light and Views Considered in the Apartment Layout
Natural light and views were also considered in the layout: a small window behind the kitchen allows glimpses of the outside world even from the hallway near the bedroom and toilet. This ensures a sense of connection with the outdoors from anywhere in the home.
Finishes Selected With Care for Environmental and Personal Well-Being
Finishes were selected with care for both environmental and personal well-being, including teak flooring, oak veneer, plaster made primarily from volcanic ash, and mud walls with embedded rice straw. The Japanese-style room features Awa washi paper on the walls, dyed in indigo gradients to echo the shifting tones of the nearby river and sea. The kitchen’s back panel incorporates a series of small, framed cabinet doors, creating a design that resonates with the latticework of the kura-do.
The result is a harmonious blend of old and new, bringing a quiet dignity to the space. This is a home where tradition and modernity coexist, offering a daily experience that feels close to both nature and life.
