- Project: Trim
- Architect: APOLLO Architects & Associates
- Location: Japan, Ota
- Year: 2016
- Area: 194 m2
- Photography: Masao Nishikawa
Preserving the Past, Designing for the Present
In the Trim project, APOLLO Architects & Associates were entrusted with an emotionally significant task: renovating a house built by the client’s father over 30 years ago. Situated in Ota, Japan, the residence had a reinforced concrete structure that remained sound, along with an intangible authenticity that the architects chose to preserve, not replace.
Instead of opting for demolition and new construction, the team embraced the home’s legacy, focusing on interior rehabilitation while retaining the original layout and external appearance. Only key updates to the entrance, windows, and doors were made to modernize functionality.
Interiors Reimagined for Contemporary Living
The core philosophy behind the Trim renovation was one of restraint. The existing warm, wood-heavy interior was transformed into a crisp, minimalist environment through the use of marble, border tiles, and glass. The dominant white palette introduced clarity and elegance, amplifying natural light throughout the space.
At the heart of the home is a generously scaled open-plan kitchen, designed as a multifunctional zone with a large counter that serves both as a workspace and dining surface. Flanking this central volume are the dining and living areas, forming a spatial trio arranged for both functionality and fluidity.
Architectural Depth Through Light and Framing
To enhance spatial experience, the architects eliminated the attic to create a skylit void, maximizing ceiling height and daylight penetration. Within this now light-filled core, portal-like structural frames—formed from the original beams and columns—create gentle transitions between rooms while preserving visual continuity.
These frames guide movement and sightlines, producing a layered spatial narrative. The interaction of light, shadow, and structural rhythm imbues the interiors with subtle dynamism and depth, reinforcing the design’s minimalist ethos without erasing its origin.
A Philosophy of “Re-Trimming”
Rather than overhaul the home, APOLLO Architects chose to “re-trim” it—polishing what remained intact and sharpening the atmosphere through minimal intervention. The result is a residence that honors familial memory while meeting the standards of modern living, making Trim a model for heritage-conscious renovation in Japan.
