wooden japanese house turns into traditional greengrocer store in kiryu

Negishi Kenchiku Studio converts old Kiryu house into a store

Sakugetsu by Negishi Kenchiku Studio aims to preserve the urban landscape by transforming an old, vacant house into a functional commercial space. The project is located in Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture, a historic regional hub known for its textile industry. Completed in collaboration with urban development companies, the renovation redefines the use of a small, single-story house of less than 60 sqm situated in a densely built area of wooden houses. The existing structure, originally designed as a closed-off and compact residence with aging interiors, was converted into a traditional Japanese townhouse-style greengrocer.

all images by Hayakawa Records – Shinsuke Hayakawa

Sakugetsu project Integrates Community and Commerce

Negishi Kenchiku Studio’s design team opened up the street-facing side of the building to create an accessible entrance and display area for the store’s products, enhancing its connection to the surrounding neighborhood. The internal layout was reconfigured into a single, spacious room. The design allows visibility into the store from the outside, fostering interaction between the shop owner and customers. A raised floor was incorporated, enabling the owner to oversee both the interior and the street, further integrating the store into its urban context.

Sakugetsu, a project by Negishi Kenchiku Studio, transforms a vacant house into a functional greengrocer

a newly opened street-facing facade creates an accessible entrance and display area for products

the renovation fosters interaction between the greengrocer and its surrounding neighborhood

the project redefines the compact residence into a traditional Japanese townhouse-style store

the design ensures visibility into the store from the outside, inviting customers to engage with the space

aging interiors were upgraded to meet modern functional and aesthetic requirements

the compact house was transformed into a vibrant commercial space in less than 60 sqm

the project integrates traditional Japanese townhouse aesthetics into a modern commercial context

the project exemplifies the balance between preserving tradition and embracing contemporary design

by opening the facade, the design overcomes the closed-off nature of the original structure

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project info:

name: Sakugetsu
architects: Negishi Kenchiku Studio | @negishi_kenchiku_studio

location: Miyamotocho, Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture, Japan

lead architect: Akira Negishi

cooperation: UNIT KIRYU

photographer: Hayakawa Records – Shinsuke Hayakawa

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom