Mass-produced · Modern Asian · Passive Certified
One-Day Assembly · Fully Transportable
Ma-ie Type A · 2BR · 72m² · Standard Configuration
Japan's traditional ken module (approximately 1.818m, or 6 shaku) divides naturally into the contemporary 1000mm grid. Our 1m panel width aligns with standard Japanese room dimensions — a 6-tatami room is 3m × 3m, exactly 3 panels wide. Every room size is achieved by panel count, with no cutting required on site.
| Room Type | Width (panels) | Depth (panels) | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engawa / porch | Varies | 1 panel | 1m deep |
| Bathroom (unit bath) | 2 panels | 2 panels | 4m² |
| Bedroom (single) | 3 panels | 3 panels | 9m² |
| Bedroom (double) | 3 panels | 4 panels | 12m² |
| Living / dining | 5 panels | 4 panels | 20m² |
| Full home — Type A | 8 panels | 9 panels | 72m² |
| Full home — Type B | 10 panels | 10 panels | 100m² |
Panels connect via a factory-machined T&G spline on all four edges, plus stainless locking clips every 600mm. A flexible EPDM gasket pre-installed in the groove creates an airtight seal without sealants. Structural shear is transferred through the spline and surface screws to the sole plate — no temporary bracing needed during assembly.
The SIP panel system eliminates stud-cavity thermal bridges. Continuous rigid foam insulation from floor to ridge cap creates an unbroken thermal envelope. Air leakage target: ≤0.6 ACH₅₀ — exceeding Passive House standard. All penetrations factory-sealed with compression gaskets.
A single whole-house Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV, ≥80% efficiency) pre-ducted through the floor and ceiling panels during factory assembly. Fresh air every room, stale air out — with no energy penalty. In humid Japanese climates, an ERV variant preserves humidity balance.
South-facing roof slope standard in all base plans. Window panels are specified by orientation: high-SHGC on south for winter gain, low-SHGC on east/west to control summer overheating. Deep eave overhangs (600mm standard, 900mm option) shade summer sun while admitting low winter sun.
Japan's humid climate demands careful vapor control. Panels ship with a smart vapor-retarder membrane on the interior skin — variable permeance that allows drying both inward and outward seasonally. Floor panels include a separate radon and moisture barrier at the base. No interior condensation risk.
All exterior and structural panels are MgO-skinned (magnesium oxide board) or covered in a 5/8" fire-rated gypsum interior layer. The system achieves a 1-hour fire-resistance rating as an assembly. Roof panels use a non-combustible top deck. Meets IBC, IRC, and Japanese Building Standards Act Chapter 5.
A factory-routed conduit chase runs horizontally in all wall panels at 300mm and 2000mm AFF (above finished floor). Electrical, low-voltage, and plumbing (where applicable) are run through the chase — no drilling into the thermal envelope. Wet walls use a dedicated plumbing panel with a pre-installed chase tube and vapor isolation.
A combined framework drawing from LEED v4.1, Japan's ZEH (Zero Energy House) standard, Passive House Institute criteria, and WELL Building Standard fundamentals — adapted for mass production and regional climate zones.
Scale: 1 grid = 1 meter = 1 panel width. South orientation at bottom (engawa). Windows shown in blue.
The Type A plan embodies ma — the Japanese concept of meaningful negative space and pause. Rooms flow from the engawa (covered south porch) inward to north. No hallway waste. The 1m panel grid means every room dimension is a clean integer: 3m × 4m, 3m × 3m. The south face is all glass or deep-overhang panels; the north face is high-R opaque panels.
| Room | m² | Panels |
|---|---|---|
| Bedroom 1 (master) | 12 | 3×4 |
| Bedroom 2 | 12 | 3×4 |
| Bedroom 3 / Study | 9 | 3×3 |
| Living / Dining | 20 | 5×4 |
| Kitchen | 15 | 5×3 |
| Bathroom | 4 | 2×2 |
| Engawa (porch) | 10 | 10×1 |
| Total (enclosed) | 72 | — |
Adding a room means adding panels — literally. The T&G spline system allows removing a gable-end panel and extending the building by one 1m module. No structural redesign. The roof follows automatically by adding one more row of roof panels. A 72m² home becomes 82m² in a single weekend.