Japanese homes last on average 38 years (100 years in U. S.) because people there prefer to tear down existing buildings and build to their own specs. That isn’t a sustainable economic model, because homes do not accrue value, aren’t as good an investment, and are extremely expensive, especially in large urban areas, as MHProNews understands.
Muji offers three modular homes on its website, the newest being the Vertical House, 14 feet wide, 25 feet deep and three stories tall, selling for around $200,000. The home is made for tight urban neighborhoods at a fraction of what a traditional home would cost.
The Window House, designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, offers buyers a different placement of the windows depending upon preferred view.
The Tree House is 70 percent glass panels on one side, two stories tall and very modern. The company once offered free occupancy for two years to and to determine the effectiveness of this design. ##
(Photo top credit: gizmodo/Muji–Vertical House; bottom, gizmodo.com/Muji–Tree House)
