Kyo-machiya are unique structures, built with an unusual architectural skills and craftsmanship. For keeping the craftsmanship intact, while renovating a Kyo-machiya, various people and organizations pool in their knowledge, including citizen’s groups who take the perspective of the property owner, local financial institutions, and real estate agents.
Community Collaboration University, under the aegis of Kyoto Center for Community Collaboration organized Kyo-machiya Revival Seminars. They provide opportunities to learn more about Kyo-machiya, such as - how it constructed, where the traditionally used materials are sourced from, how to manage and maintain it, how to inherit and rent it, and how to make it a better place to live in. These seminars give opportunity to learn about Kyo-machiya as an architectural form familiar to residents and how it can be revived.
While such efforts have been arduous, special training from architects and craftsmen well versed in traditional Japanese structural design and carpentry, have helped in overcoming the challenges successfully. The trainings have created a platform for the future generations to learn from the machiya architecture and apply some traditional techniques to contemporary work.