Muji Unveil Their Latest Tiny Prefab House

Japanese retailer Muji delve further into minimal living with their latest tiny prefab house ‘Yō no Ie’ meaning Plain House. The single-storey design is the fourth in their line of prefabricated homes, having launched three in partnership with industrial designers Naoto Fukasawa, Jasper Morrison and Konstantin Grcic in 2017. Yō no Ie is the first stair-less dwelling, intended for use in rural areas.

The 74sqm structure features an expansive outdoor deck with cosy sunken fire pit encourages indoor-outdoor living. The compact interior is without fixed pillars or divisions, designed for flexibility and giving owners the freedom to reconfigure the layout to best suit their needs. Three full height windows are spaces evenly along the deck-facing façade, opening to the outdoors.

True to Muji’s clean, minimal aesthetic, the material palette comprises cream walls and pale timber. The decking is as flush as possible with the interior, intended to form a seamless extension that encourages owners to utilize the outdoor space for living and entertaining. Furthermore, the level access makes the home friendly for all age groups, with retirees forming a key demographic of the down-sizing market.

The interior features open-plan space that can comfortably accommodate bedroom, living and dining. The house comes outfitted with a selection of Muji home goods, including a practical cube shelving unit that negates the need for a wardrobe.

The standard exterior finish for Yō no Ie House is Japanese chestnut timber, with a roof made from galvalume steel sheets. A variety of standard plans are available to suit different sized plots. The home is currently only available in Japan, at a price of around $210,000 AUD.

Currently, Muji sells around 300 of its prefab homes a year, a number that the brand predicts will only increase. Muji’s prefab line expands in response to Japan’s growing demand for low-profile suburban homes, with the retail company hoping to provide choice in places to live for generations to come.