The Portuguese MIMA architects took upon themselves the task of responding to today’s lifestyle through what they do. Which architectural elements are needed nowadays to adapt to the ambitions of a well informed and increasingly exigent society? Their answer: a fast produced, flexible, light, cheap yet high-quality and a modern clean design. That is, MIMA House.

Curiously, with this house being the answer to a modern issue, it is fundamentally inspired on the traditional Japanese house, which MIMA architects found to be the perfect paradigm for lightness, flexibility, comfort and pleasing lines.

Just like a traditional Japanese residential construction, MIMA uses pre-fabricated construction methods. While not strictly incorporating the column spacing known as the ken, the infill elements of shoji screens, or the fosuma panels and tatami mats, MIMA uses modular 1.5m meter grid, internal plywood walls and external walls or windows, which, like the Japanese house, is then put together like a puzzle.

As well as wooden framed doors, the centre units may swing open and the interior walls may be easily moved by two people, allowing for an almost complete customization of the 36sqm space.

Currently resting on a peaceful piece of land in Viana do Castelo, in northern Portugal, from the outside, MIMA consists of a square structure completely glazed with four windows along the facade.

With the possibility for frame colour customization and the easily changeable internal modular grid system, it is easy to guarantee that no 2 MIMA houses will look the same. The answer to the current global economic crisis comes in a package that can be comparable in cost to the price of a mid-range car.

Visit their website for more information at mimahousing.pt

This house was a winner of the Building of the Year 2011 award by Archdaily

All images © José Campos