The Charm of an Old Warehouse Side by Side with a Modern New Volume

When people prioritized convenience and comfort when old remodeling buildings, Keisuke Kawaguchi + K2-Design chose to renovate the fuel warehouse in Hiroshima into a residence by preserving the original structure of the building.

(Hallway as a link between the new volume and the original wall of the barn)

According to Keisuke Kawaguchi + K2-Design, this old warehouse built since World War II has historical value, and the quality of the structure is almost impossible to rebuild using the same techniques. Therefore, the two architects agreed to preserve it so that the elements of authenticity and story in it are preserved.

(The living room and kitchen are designed in one space without partitions)

(Kitchen and dining area of Hiding Place)

In the vision of preserving the old shed in a packaged house, Keisuke Kawaguchi + K2-Design decided to add new volumes into the old shed mass without overhauling the original structure. The two also pay tribute through a new volume with 360-degree glass walls that allow residents to continue to admire the history of the old barn from inside the house. This volume is only complete with skylights showing old wooden beams on the shed's roof and access to natural light.

(Skylight in living rooms and kitchens becomes access to natural light)

The interior of the new volume, Hiding Place, is designed with a deep feeling that seems to throw residents into the days of this warehouse while operating. The rustic atmosphere applied with wood materials dominates the interior and evokes a sense of nostalgia.

Nostalgic scenes bring back “memories,” and these “memories” sometimes lead to the “strength to live on into the future,” Keisuke Kawaguchi + K2-Design said. 

(Hiding Place has a 360-degree glass wall to admire the history of the old warehouse from inside the house)

Through Hiding Place, the two architects hope to continue to live in the old warehouse from time to time without compromising their original charm. On the one hand, it is unique when new volumes built in the modern era can coexist with old buildings almost 80 years old.

(Glass walls are also applied to the bathroom)