Change with a purpose

By on April 29, 2010

Looking for a way to repurpose or revitalize your existing space, or weighing the possibilities in a new home or apartment?  By selectively changing only the elements that aren’t working for you, and keeping the elements that are, a renovation can be an economical way to customize.  So what should you change? The possibilities are quite broad and depend on your reasons for renovating.

 

Personal style

One of the most common reasons for renovating is to make a space feel like your own. Not only the look of a space, but also the way it functions can be improved by renovating. For example: an old kitchen looks outdated and is also hard to cook in, or an existing living room with faded finishes and no place to put a sofa.  By looking at ways to improve the way a space is used, as well as the way it looks, a renovation can give you a real sense of satisfaction when you come home every day.

 

Changing needs, creating space

The way a space is used will change over time. As family members get older, minor inconveniences in a home’s layout can become major obstacles.  A barrier-free renovation, such as installing an additional handrail or grab bars in bathrooms, or even moving bedrooms to the first floor, can help make life easier. If a new baby arrives, existing spaces will need to serve new functions. Places to play, sleep, and eat (not to mention storage for all the stuff babies seem to generate) all need to be found.  And for those that own their own business, whether a single room home office or a ground floor shop, a workplace renovation can improve productivity, image, and ultimately the bottom line.

 

Renovation for profit

If you’re planning on selling or renting a home, a recent renovation can make a good first impression and add an extra incentive to a potential buyer or renter.  Obviously, new paint or wall coverings will make a space feel new and fresh, but an upgrade to a kitchen or unit bath can also provide a good return on investment. Kitchen and bathroom fixtures are usually relatively easy to replace and can make those rooms feel more modern, efficient, and attractive.

 

Renovation for efficiency

Although upgrading mechanical systems might not have any visual impact, it will certainly have an impact on energy consumption.  Older homes often have minimal or no insulation, resulting in drafty winters and higher bills.  By installing new insulation and replacing old windows a home can keep the conditioned air in and the outside air out.  Upgrading to more efficient water heaters or air conditioning units or even installing new solar panels will also help reduce energy costs.

 

How long?  How much?

The specifics of time and cost can differ considerably from project to project.  Simply replacing the fixtures in a kitchen could be done in one week.  If the wall and floor finishes are also being changed, or walls are being moved, that renovation could be three weeks to a month. A larger renovation of several rooms can last several months.  Also keep in mind that if you are redoing the kitchen or only bathroom, you won’t be able to use those spaces during construction. Cost, being dependant on both scope of work and the finishes selected, can vary even more.  A reasonable range to assume is ¥150,000 to ¥250,000 per square meter.  A full kitchen or bathroom renovation would be near the top of that scale, a renovation that only changed interior walls might be near the bottom. Of course, exotic materials or special equipment can push costs even higher.  For some types of renovations, such as barrier-free or the installation of energy efficient equipment, there may be government rebates available.

 

Matthew Corsover, AIA

JS Design & Construction

www.j-soubi.com/en

 

The following examples are two renovation projects by JS Design & Construction.

 

Outside Room

Approximate cost:  ¥5 million 

Approximate time:  8 weeks

 

For this more modest renovation, the client wanted an updated kitchen and the ability to bring the outside in. The existing kitchen layout was kept, saving time and money by being able to install new cabinets and equipment in the original locations. The existing deck was replaced, and by installing new exterior lighting and larger windows, both the kitchen and living room gained a focal point that also brings in light and air. 

 

 

 

 

Family Kitchen

Approximate cost: ¥32 million

Approximate time: 5 months

 

This large apartment renovation was spurred by the owner’s children growing out of the toddler stage, and a desire to bring the family together to help in the kitchen. The small existing kitchen was completely removed, and the space opened up to the existing living and dining area. To balance the size of the new larger space, and provide room for the client’s large family, a new 3.5-meter counter was installed. The floor was stepped up at one end so the same counter became both kitchen island and dinning table, allowing the entire family to gather for the whole course of the meal, from cooking to eating to loading the dishwasher.

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