Many innovative companies are coming up with solutions to address one of urban living's difficulties, constrained living spaces.
Simon Woodroffe, an English entrepreneur that is behind the successful YO!Sushi, has launched another brilliant project, YO!Home. The company has come up with a technology that transforms a regular 40 square meter studio apartment into a lounge, kitchen, dining room, bedroom and office, with just a few clicks. The alternating feature has the same technology as the varying set designs in stage shows. Woodroffe shares, "I've been involved with theater and designing the stage for shows - the mechanics of stage scenery are magical."
The project has had several prototypes since its revelation in 2012, and the final model will soon be launched in Manchester. The English entrepreneur is sure that his concept will become a hit in big cities like Hong Kong and New York. He says, "Everything has to be for a world market and where land is expensive, property developers can make money from YO! Homes."
New York's Citizens Housing & Planning Council deputy director Sarah Watson seems to agree with Woodrofe's prediction. There is a rise in people in the US living solitarily, hence the demand for smaller spaces and solutions. Furthermore, the line between the roles of home and the outdoors are now almost overlapping. She explains, "People are more likely to eat and socialize outside rather than at home. The change has already come and the (living) spaces are catching up." Watson adds, "We need a new way of looking at space."
There are other projects all over the world that aim to contribute to the rise of micro-home industry. Changing Place's CityHome allows a piece of furniture to morph into different functional spaces, with ease as they believe transforming an apartment should be as easy as opening a door.
Knowing that many are working on developing technologies that address compact living proves that 'transformer houses' are slowly becoming a reality.
