#Japan #Tokyo #KATARITSUGI #Odakyu #Wood Design

Odakyu Real Estate’s KATARITSUGI Model House

Odakyu Real Estate Co., Ltd., headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, announced that its KATARITSUGI model house has won the Wood Design Award 2025, organized by the Japan Wood Design Association. This achievement highlights the company’s innovative approach to reviving and reconstructing traditional Japanese homes, especially in the context of Japan's growing number of vacant houses due to declining birthrates and an aging population.

With many old wooden houses left unmaintained, Odakyu Real Estate aims to connect the history and emotions of these homes across generations. By repurposing materials from historical houses in different regions, the KATARITSUGI project contributes to community engagement while promoting ethical consumption. This initiative not only supports the transition of old houses into new homes but also preserves local culture and heritage. It encourages sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and the local economy by using reclaimed timber and following traditional building narratives.

The award-winning KATARITSUGI model house incorporates timber used for over 160 years in a home located in Agacho, Niigata Prefecture. This one-story model boasts exceptional earthquake resistance, insulation, and energy efficiency. It serves as a permanent exhibition of what ethical consumption can look like in modern housing.

Award Details

• - Project Name: KATARITSUGI Model House
• - Field: Architecture and Space
• - Award Category: Social Design
• - Collaborators: Rock Fields Co., Ltd., General Incorporated Association National Old House Restoration Association

Target Audience and Features

The KATARITSUGI model house is particularly aimed at families raising children and seniors who are increasingly interested in sustainable practices and ethical consumption. By reusing structural timber from a 160-year-old traditional house, the project creates a living space where potential homeowners can resonate with the concept of eco-friendly living and historical consciousness. Moreover, the business model incorporates a comprehensive service scheme—from timber procurement, craftsmanship, construction, to post-construction sales—offering clients a streamlined, one-stop service experience.

Location and Specifications

• - Address: 3-2-3 Minami, Kaisei Town, Ashigarakami District, Kanagawa Prefecture
• - Access: 12 minutes on foot from the Odakyu Odawara Line, Kaisei Station
• - Land Area: 245.6 square meters (74.3 tsubo)
• - Building Area: 130.0 square meters (39.3 tsubo)
• - Layout: 2(3)LDK
• - Structure and Method: Wooden one-story building (considered a two-story structure under building regulations) using traditional construction techniques
• - Construction: Built by Rock Fields Co., Ltd. and landscape covered by Land Flora Co., Ltd.

The design features a breathtakingly high ceiling exceeding 7 meters, a beautifully crafted tatami garden, and a charming facade made from Yasuda tiles sourced from Niigata Prefecture. This home embodies a fusion of old and new, providing a serene living environment that celebrates the beauty of nature and tradition.

About the Wood Design Award

The Wood Design Award encourages innovative solutions to social issues through the creative use of wood. It aims to redefine the value of timber culture while recognizing outstanding architecture, products, and activities that highlight the importance of wood. The KATARITSUGI model house stood out in the Social Design category for its multifaceted approach to engaging with wood, fostering appreciation, and contributing to education in the field of sustainable architecture.

Ethical Consumption in Housing Selection

To promote ethical consumption choices among homeowners, the KATARITSUGI project opened the permanent model house on May 31, 2025, coinciding with