Kenchikukagu: Apartment Folds Out of a Box (Well, 3 Boxes)
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto 
on 09.23.08
How cool is this? A kitchen, an office and a bedroom that fold out of these lovely cabinets, designed by Toshihiko Suzuki Architect.
They call it "Architectural Furniture." And it's not vaporware, you can buy the office unit on Amazon, albeit for 800,000 yen which is a lot of money and becoming more so by the hour.
The office looks quite comfortable and workable too, with storage and an integrated seat. The english website gives quite a bit of architectural history, going back to Pierre Chareau and Reitveld, right through to Columbo and Andrea Zittel as influences.
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800,000 yen makes it about 7,600 US. Way to expensive just for unnecessary convenience. too bad, i like the office and sink.
Hmmm this looks pretty simple, I bet something similar could be built at home in the garage if you have a little word working skill, and for a lot less than 800,000 yen/7,600 US. And you could personalize it to your needs. Very cool concept though.
Nyce...I like the entire set. But US$ 7600???? not a chance I'm getting that. but I could try and get it built I suppose. tho working out those hinges and slides and nooks and crannies will probably take a helluva lot of time.
Tho I have to say the concept is not new. It's been in India (My home) for some time now. Not this sleek and with that many utilities, but fold out office space and beds have been around. We always believe in a huge kitchen. office or not... heh heh heh
i m personaly interested in such type of efficient design ideas which can help in my thesis on living large in small spaces.....i wanna post a question in this forum tht how much mobile furniture can help in generation such a design in a developing country ????? cause money is a big issue in such type of approach