“In Praise of Shadows,” a renowned essay by Junichirō Tanizaki, introduced the world to the Japanese aesthetic that celebrates the harmony of light and shadow. This aesthetic remains deeply ingrained in the lives of Japanese people today. This is a renovation project for a residence. The property is surrounded by greenery and has abundant natural light, a rarity for a location in the city center. The owner desired a space that not only functioned as a home but also accommodated a workspace and would additionally allow them to host guests and showcase their culinary skills.

"AR-BSTRAC-T", the design concept of this residence is a fusion of the words Art and Abstract. We believe that art is the most expressive medium for reflecting a resident's personality, heart, and soul. When designing, from the layout to the materials, every detail is carefully crafted like an abstract painting, seamlessly blending the space with art. This residence comes to life when filled with carefully selected art pieces. There is a Japanese phrase ⼀期⼀会（Ichigo-Ichie）, meaning "a once-in-a-lifetime encounter". It represents the idea of cherishing unique moments that will never be repeated, just like an encounter with art.

This project involves a comprehensive renovation of a single condominium unit. The business model involves a developer acquiring an existing property, completely stripping the interior to a shell, and renovating the interior before reselling it. The target persona is an owner who desires an urban retreat. While the space must function as a residence, it should also offer a distinct atmosphere where one can relax and recenter away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

This project, a full renovation of an old Japanese house in Hakuba, was designed under the concept of THE OLD - NEW FUSION to create a high-quality fusion style that vividly expresses Japanese culture by crossing traditional architecture with a fresh interior design familiar to the target affluent Westerners.