Daichi Miura, a fashion director active in a wide range of fields including fashion, art, and illustration, has produced the renovated apartment building "GrandStory YOYOGIUEHARA" (Face Network Co., Ltd.). This is his first time working on a residential space. He has transformed a 24-year-old building that combines residences, shops, and offices into a luxurious residence reminiscent of an overseas hotel.

"We have created a structure that overturns the standards of Japanese housing to date, such as not dividing the space into small sections with thick walls, using natural materials wherever possible even for rental properties, and consolidating storage in one place. This property feels like it has answered all the questions I had," says Daichi Miura. The wall-less one-room apartments encourage greater communication between residents and also allow them to create private spaces using partitions. The design is kept minimal to allow residents to reflect their own style, leaving the finishing touches up to the residents.


A four-story apartment with one unit per floor (photo shows the third floor). The floor plan is 1LDK+WIC.
"I envisioned a room for a single person or a couple. With so much space, we can fit in large lights and artwork, and ideally, we'd like people to be able to enjoy designing the space with their own unique imagination. Many Japanese homes are built to a strict standard, incorporating the latest systems into a basic floor plan, which unfortunately makes them all look the same. Everyone uses their living space differently, so I hope people will pursue a way of living that is unique to them."




While the overall design is simple, the bathroom and closet express his unique style. Drawing on his travels around the world, the bathroom is the one area where he feels the most comfortable in a hotel abroad, and he paid particular attention to it. Italian natural marble is used throughout, and German-made showerheads and faucets are design highlights, creating a luxurious space. The spacious walk-in closet, measuring approximately 9 tatami mats, is outfitted with a herringbone table, hanging clothes racks, and a tall shoe rack, evoking the atmosphere of a select shop.

"The idea of the closet as a relaxing space is very fresh, and I think it makes changing clothes and choosing clothes feel comfortable. Choosing clothes while enjoying natural light makes it even more realistic. It's easy to air out, and the structure is functional, allowing you to walk straight out to the entrance after changing clothes."

It's an idea befitting a creator whose background is fashion. This was his first time working in the residential realm, so how did it go?

"In terms of creating something, fashion and housing are no different in my mind. Fashion is something you wear, while housing is something you enter into; that difference is interesting. Also, fashion allows for free expression, but housing can be restrictive due to legal restrictions, which can make it difficult to go as planned. But I enjoyed trial and error within those restrictions."


He laughs, saying that he channeled the stress he felt about his current home into his creativity in producing this condominium. Stepping inside this property immediately brings about a sense of relaxation and elation. It's strange how such an open space can allow these two opposing emotions to coexist.

"I was conscious of creating a space with a good balance. You can relax in a spacious, open room, and also feel the exhilaration of the bathroom and closet. I also think that the sense of tension that comes from the great view that only a one-room apartment can offer is important. It's a daily reminder to myself, but it also makes me want to keep the place tidy. I want people to live there with a fresh feeling forever."

He questions the Japanese way of living, which places value on new things, and this is why he focused on renovating used properties. The idea of allowing people to enjoy the changes that occur over time is something that is rarely found in rental properties. 」 English:


"The natural marble in the bathroom and kitchen changes appearance over time. The reason we chose a painted finish instead of wallpaper is because we wanted the paint to add character by being able to repaint the walls when they get dirty with new white paint. When producing the space, the first thing I likened it to was vegetable tanned leather, which develops a unique character and gets better and better the more you use it. I think enjoying aging is the creation of new values in homes."

He emphasizes that renovation has a charm that you just can't get from a new build. Having done everything he wanted to do, he was thinking about trying his hand at working on a living space, and the request for this production came at just the right time. So, is there anything new he'd like to challenge himself with in the future?

"I'm still interested in flowers and other things. I'd like to continue producing renovated properties in the future. In terms of challenges, I think it would be interesting to try a completely opposite approach and work on a new build."

[Property Information]
GrandStory YOYOGIUEHARA

Structure: Reinforced concrete
Year Built: September 1995
Occupancy Date: June 1, 2018 onwards
Nearest Station: 9-minute walk from Yoyogi-Hachiman Station on the Odakyu Line
10-minute walk from Yoyogi-Uehara Station
10-minute walk from Yoyogi-Koen Station on the Chiyoda Line

[Contact Information]
Face Network Co., Ltd.
URL: https://grandstory.jp/yoyogiuehara
Instagram: @grandstory_official

畑 麻衣子