HHH is a minimal architecture project located in Fukuoka, Japan, designed by aki(architects). The gentle murmur of flowing water has long been a cornerstone of Japanese architectural wisdom. In this renovated house along the Notori River in Akizuki’s cultural preservation district, that ancient dialogue between building and nature finds contemporary expression through thoughtful architectural intervention. The project reveals how sensitive restoration can honor tradition while embracing modern ways of living.
The heart of the renovation lies in its fluid spatial organization, where furniture and diaphanous curtains create flexible boundaries rather than rigid walls. A table serves as an anchor point in the public-facing first floor, while the strategic placement of each piece transforms the space from a traditional machiya into a dynamic environment that breathes with its inhabitants. The curtains perform a dual role – not merely as visual separators but as climate mediators, demonstrating how simple solutions can address both aesthetic and functional needs.
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the design is its connection to the river. The dining area, suspended above the water, becomes a table for seasonal ritual: summer evenings cooling beverages in river water, May nights illuminated by fireflies, winter mornings framed by snow-laden branches. This intimate connection to nature transforms everyday moments into extraordinary experiences, embedding the house deeply within its environmental context.
The material palette speaks to both preservation and renewal. The decision to use industrially “anonymous” materials and white-stained surfaces creates a neutral canvas that allows residents’ possessions to take center stage. The exterior cedar cladding embodies the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, designed to weather gracefully and merge with its surroundings over time. These material choices reflect a deeper understanding of how buildings should age – not fighting time but embracing it.
Light becomes a building material in its own right through newly restored openings. The architect’s intervention allows sunlight to choreograph daily life, creating ever-changing patterns that animate the space. This dynamic interplay between light and architecture transforms the house into a sundial of sorts, marking time through shadow and illumination.
