Kentaro Imai Architectural office
BUNKA-YOKUSEN 2023 Renovation
Located just one stop from Shibuya on the Den-en-toshi Line, Bunkayokusen, which is near Ikejiri-Ohashi Station, is a Sento that we had the privilege of redesigning in 2011. The concept for the 2011 renovation was to create a unique retro-modern space by preserving the nostalgic Showa-era elements while incorporating modern Japanese design elements into the renovated sections. The high-temperature sauna and the cold bath, which utilized a chiller—rare for a Sento at the time—were particularly well-received. The softened groundwater used in the cold bath likely contributed to the positive feedback on the bath’s soothing feel. Bunkayokusen became one of the first Sentos to gain recognition from sauna enthusiasts, laying the foundation for the growing popularity of Sento saunas.
After 12 years, Bunkayokusen completed a semi-renovation and reopened in March 2023. The concept for the 2023 renovation was to “expand and enhance the sauna facilities, which had become outdated and cramped.” Urban Sentos like Bunkayokusen and Kairou-yu in Shibuya often face spatial constraints, leaving little room for post-sauna relaxation spaces (known as “totonoi spaces”). Before the renovation, Bunkayokusen had only a limited space in the bathing and dressing areas for people to rest.
As the number of sauna users increased and the cold bath gained popularity, the owners consulted us to explore the possibility of creating a dedicated relaxation area. We decided to transform the parking lot into a semi-outdoor space to serve as a relaxation area for the men’s bath. Additionally, we expanded the men’s sauna room by utilizing the adjacent warehouse space. On the women’s side, there was unfortunately no surplus space available for expansion, so part of the dressing area was converted into a relaxation zone (this section was handled by another party). However, we did manage to slightly expand the women’s sauna by utilizing some excess space in the machinery room, and we gave the interior a fresh new look.
The challenge of the renovation lay in accommodating numerous client requests within a limited budget. One significant cost was incurred when we replaced the gas sauna stove with an electric one, which required the installation of a cubicle transformer to increase the electrical capacity. In terms of design, we focused particularly on the outdoor bathing area for the men’s side. At first glance, it might not appear like an outdoor space, but the slits carved into the front wall of the room are directly connected to the outside, allowing natural light and fresh air to flow in. We opted for a minimalistic design to highlight the natural light, creating a unique post-sauna “totonoi space” that we are proud of.
