Apollo Architects: Reinventing the Japanese Micro-house

These little houses are, in a sense, an experimental laboratory that makes it possible to develop a complementary relationship with the environment. They are often energy-efficient and could be the ideal solution for towns and cities looking to make the most of every square centimetre. Architectural firm Apollo Architects specialises in breathing new life into old, crumbling houses and turning them into miniature works of art. The architects reinvent the existing shapes and use innovative materials like luminous glass cubes, fibre-reinforced plastic and super-thin stainless steel membranes.

Rethinking ways of living

To create a pleasant living space, it is vital to rethink the notion of a house and devise a new way of living in these reduced spaces. The architects often get rid of corridors, inside walls and cupboards to free up as much space as possible: cupboards can be integrated directly into the walls, and a room can be asymmetrical if it results in greater comfort and more space. Thus, it is a question of reinventing the whole concept of the house, which gives free rein to the designers.