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When I walked from Kyoto station to Shichijyo station, I discovered a nice merchant-​style two-​storied house called Machiya in a housing exhibition on the way. I was interested in it and decided to enter the house. I opened the wooden sliding door with much expectation. At the same time I worried if there was no person. I found a female staff member sitting in the entrance hall. Here everyone can see inside the house. It was constructed to make present-​style Machiya prevalent. An earthen floor, two tatami-​mat rooms, a courtyard called Tsuboniwa on the first floor and a large space on the second floor. Earthen walls, naked thick beams, tiled roof… I found old Japanese architectural styles everywhere.
This facility was constructed by students of technological school of architecture in Kyoto with the assistance of the school. It makes use of designs and traditional architectural method of Machiya style. The constructing process had been open to public in such a way that citizens of Kyoto saw its framework of the building or participated in making earthen walls.
It was constructed not merely to imitate traditional Machiya-​style house or pursue the housing with high energy saving performances. It is a new eco-​housing to inherit the wisdom of Machiya in Kyoto which has utilized sun light or wind, and connected dwellers to the local community and nature.
I appreciate this attempt to make new Machiya prevalent. Beside this I felt very cozy in a wooden natural house.