A while back, we visited one of Junzo Yoshimura’s later residential works for the maintenance of its wall-to-wall carpets.

Even now, about 30 years after its completion, this beautiful house continues to be passed down and deeply cherished by the residents. We were profoundly moved by the serene space, which made us feel as though we had stepped inside a seashell—if such a thing were possible, this is surely what it would feel like.

The wall-to-wall carpets, which we had the privilege of custom-crafting and installing upon the house’s completion, are still in excellent condition today. The original colors of red, green, and yellow, tailored specifically for this residence, continue to ground a modern interior that remains unchanged from those early days.

This goes back a long time, but after the house was completed, there was a day when we visited to repair a burn mark on the carpet. The trace of that repair—which reflects the painstaking efforts of the craftsmen at the time with color matching and seaming—has now completely blended in, resembling a natural patchwork against the original carpet. (Last Photo)

The owner happily shared the story of that repair as a fond, nostalgic memory. Listening to them speak, we were very moved. Knowing that our craftsmanship can live on within the memories of the residents’ daily lives is the greatest honor and encouragement we could ever ask for.

A House from Junzo Yoshimura’s Later Works

Architectural Design
Junzo Yoshimura Architectural Design Office

Photography
Masaki Ogawa

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過日、吉村順三が晩年に設計したとある住宅作品に、敷き込みカーペットのメンテナンスで伺いました。

竣工から30年以上が経過した今も、住まい手に愛情を注がれながら住み継がれる、美しい住宅。もしも巻貝の中に入ることができれば、きっとこんな気持ちなのではないか。そう思わされる、穏やかな空間に感動しました。

竣工時、私たちが特注で製作施工の機会をいただいた敷き込みカーペットは今も健在で、本物件のために誂えられた赤・緑・黄色のオリジナルカラーが、当時と変わらぬモダンな室内を支えていました。

ずいぶん昔の話になりますが、物件の竣工後、カーペットについた焦げ跡の補修に伺った日がありました。色合わせとジョイントに当時の職人の苦労が伺えるその補修跡は、すっかり既存部分に対するパッチワークのように馴染んでいます。(最後の写真です)

補修時のエピソードを、オーナーが懐かしい想い出として、嬉しそうに語ってくださいました。そのお話に耳を傾けながら、胸が一杯になりました。住まい手の暮らしの記憶の1ページに、私たちのものづくりが存在できるのであれば、これほど嬉しく励みになることはありません。

text by Takashi Watanabe | 渡邊貴志