In response to the frenetic intensity of urban life, French design duo Claire Renard and Jean-Sébastien Blanc of Studio 5.5 worked with MUJI on a micro-home and its contents, reimagining the Japanese art of living on a small scale. Modest, frugal, and deeply reflective, the house offers an adaptable lifestyle model rooted in sustainability and pared back living. Crafted from biosourced and repurposed materials, the compact structure is energy-efficient, for instance, its white roof deflects heat while doubling as a rainwater collector for watering on-site food crops, enhancing its self-sufficiency.
Built from a flexible catalogue of prefabricated modules, the home can evolve over time. Whether expanding or rearranging its layout, the design accommodates shifting needs while honoring Japanese cultural references and life’s fundamental rituals. The tiny house can be assembled from a collection of modular sections of the owners’ choice, including an entrance (Genkan), kitchen (Daidokoro), studio (Kintsugi), bathroom (Ofuro), and bedroom (Tatami).
Inside, the project also introduces MUJI MUJI—a playful, thought-provoking collection of 12 upcycled objects made from iconic MUJI products by Studio 5.5. These DIY “hacks,” come complete with illustrated instructions, offering new uses for existing items, extending their lifecycle while challenging consumption habits, with the designers hoping the project invites a level of reflection on how we live, build, and buy.
Images © MUJI