Renka Residence is a model house for renovating a 70-year-old rice mill in the center of the former Asakura Town in Fukuoka Prefecture. It was renovated to suit modern lifestyles and built to convey the appeal and possibilities of renovation.
© Norihito Yamauchi
A rice mill that has long been loved and supported by the local people was renovated into a modern residence that makes the most of the building’s history and charm while preserving it.
© Norihito Yamauchi
Originally a rice mill, the building consisted of a one-story building used for rice milling and a two-story building used mainly as a warehouse. Because of its large scale as a stand-alone residence, the two-story portion was renovated as a house, and the one-story portion was designed as a retail space, open to the community.
© Norihito Yamauchi
Currently, many model houses are being built all over Japan, but many of them are rebuilt after about five years because the design is consumed and they become old. In response to this situation, we sought to create a sustainable model house that would be loved by the local community and interchangeably related to the model house ‘plus alpha.’
Project Info
Architects: Raumus
Country: Japan
Area: 188 m²
Year: 2024
Photographs: Norihito Yamauchi
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.