Passing on Architect Tatsuo Miyawaki’s Holistically Designed Residential District: studio9X Completes ‘Inheritable Living’ Home Regeneration Project

Photo: AKIRA NAKAMURA

The architectural firm studio9X has completed a home regeneration project titled 'Hino no Ie – Inheriting Miyawaki’s Architectural Legacy,' set to finish in late July 2026. The project involves a circa 30-year-old house located in Takahata Kashimadai Garden, Hino City, Tokyo—a residential district originally planned by architect Tatsuo Miyawaki (1936–1998) from its urban planning phase.

Developed in 1985 by Miyawaki Tatsuo Architectural Research Institute and Kashima Construction, Takahata Kashimadai Garden is a residential district where Miyawaki designed not only individual homes but also roads, plazas, and the overall streetscape. It is highly regarded as a pioneering example of architect-led urban housing in Japan.

Rather than simply 'preserving' architect-designed homes, this project aims to 'inherit' them by updating them as livable spaces for contemporary lifestyles. In an era of declining population and rising vacant homes, it serves as a practical model for carrying forward the value of architect-designed residences and planned neighborhoods into the future.

studio9X has renovated the 30-year-old house—located at the edge of the district—into a home suitable for a 30-something family raising children. Creative Real Estate, a firm specializing in architectural real estate consulting, joined the project from the home-buying stage, supporting the process by conducting building inspections and risk assessments to ensure a secure handover of the architect-designed property.

Project Overview

Project Name: Hino no Ie – Inheriting Miyawaki’s Architectural Legacy

Location: Hino City, Tokyo

Use: Residential

Completion: Late July 2026

Design: studio9X

Construction: NENGO Co., Ltd.

Architectural Real Estate Consulting: Creative Real Estate Co., Ltd.

Photography: AKIRA NAKAMURA

Press Viewing Event

Journalists are invited to tour the property and hear from studio9X about the design philosophy and renovation highlights. Please email the contact below by Monday, July 27, to register. Further details will be provided upon registration.

• Dates: Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 13:00–16:30; Wednesday, July 29, 10:00–16:30

• Venue: Hino City, Tokyo (exact address will be sent upon registration)

• Registration: Creative Real Estate PR Desk ([email protected])

Choosing 'Inheriting Living' Over 'Preservation'

Japan is home to many outstanding architect-designed homes. However, many are demolished or replaced due to inheritance issues, aging, or maintenance challenges, often resulting in the loss of their original design philosophies. Meanwhile, in today’s context of population decline and increasing vacant homes, how to pass on existing housing stock to future generations has become a societal challenge.

This project emphasizes not 'preserving because it’s an architect’s home,' but rather 'updating it as a home that can continue to be lived in.'

The project began with the belief that inheriting an architect-designed home means regenerating it into a safe, functional residence for modern occupants while respecting the original design intent.

Miyawaki’s Vision: Not Just Houses, But a 'Living District'

Tatsuo Miyawaki, the original designer, is recognized as one of Japan’s leading residential architects. Beyond individual buildings, his theories on housing and urbanism have had a profound influence, as he spent his life questioning 'what is home?'

One of his most significant late-career projects was Takahata Kashimadai Garden. Planned in 1985, this housing district was not limited to individual home designs but integrated:

Bon'elufu roads (pedestrian-priority residential streets)

Footpaths (narrow pedestrian-only paths enabling circulation within the neighborhood)

Pocket plazas (small public spaces within the district encouraging casual resident interaction)

Architectural codes (shared rules for building placement and design ensuring streetscape harmony)

Miyawaki’s philosophy—that a rich living environment emerges not from individual buildings but from their relationship with the streetscape and neighbors—pervades the entire district. The renovated house is one such building designed within this holistic vision.

Current Condition

A Chance Encounter with a Used Home

This project began with a family’s search for a home.

A 30-something family, searching for about 1.5 years in the Hino area—including considering new custom-built homes—came across a used house at the far end of Takahata Kashimadai Garden. A large park lies directly in front of the property, and the building features expansive openings facing the greenery. The interior offered a quiet, open space that seamlessly connected with the surrounding nature.

During the property inspection, it was discovered that the house was designed by Tatsuo Miyawaki. Although aging systems and deterioration were evident due to its age, the spatial composition and fine craftsmanship retained an enduring charm.

Photo: AKIRA NAKAMURA

However, a home inspection also revealed foundation settlement—a condition that might typically deter buyers. In this project, however, the building’s condition was thoroughly assessed, and repair methods, estimated costs, and potential risks were clarified before purchase. Through collaborative discussions among studio9X, Creative Real Estate, and the new occupants, the team reached a shared decision: to 'safely inherit and continue living in' the home.

studio9X’s Balance of 'Preserving' and 'Updating'

Throughout the project, studio9X carefully considered what to preserve and what to update. The charm of architect-designed homes lies in their spatial composition, light integration, and material use—elements reflecting a holistic design philosophy. At the same time, systems like plumbing and utilities require modernization for contemporary living.

Instead of completely overhauling the house, studio9X adopted an approach of understanding the building’s inherent value and adding only the functions necessary for modern life. Wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens were renewed to improve durability and maintainability, while architectural elements such as doors, built-in furniture, and hardware—bearing traces of original craftsmanship—were preserved and reused wherever possible.

The previous occupants, art professionals, preferred a subdued color palette. The new occupants, a young family with small children, required a brighter, more lively atmosphere. studio9X respected the quiet elegance of the original space while adjusting material weights and interior brightness to create a comfortable, family-friendly home.

'Inheriting Living' as a New Option

Architect-designed homes are not meant only for a select few. By accurately assessing a building’s condition and understanding its value, necessary updates can allow new occupants to live in them with confidence. This project is not only a case of regenerating a single home but also a new model for passing on architect-designed homes and existing housing stock to the future.

In an era of population decline and increasing vacant homes, demonstrating alternatives to 'tear down and rebuild' is exactly what this project aims to achieve.