Located in the historic Kiyomizu district of Kyoto, this project has transformed a former machiya – a traditional Japanese building type originally built to serve as both home and workspace for merchants and artisans – into a private residence. Materials assume a distinctive presence here. Juraku plaster, a traditional Kyoto clay known for its porous and imperfect texture, covers the walls, while the wooden flooring features a naguri finish, a traditional craft technique that leaves hand-carved marks. Stone, hinoki (the noble Japanese cypress known for its durability and soothing aroma), straw-mat tatami and exposed timber create a palette of natural surfaces that change with the changing light.