On November 26th, Misawa Home announced the sales launch of their Belle Lead SkipHigh 2-worklabo, a 3-story version of their multifamily rental housing product (name not a typo; this is the product name as it is known to the Japanese market).

The 2-story type was released in January of 2021 and according to a press release from Misawa, the initial release produced a lot of interest and orders from property investors.  

Remarking the initial January product release, the release states “...With its clear concept and ability to differentiate itself from other properties around it, the product has received a large number of responses from rental owners and led to orders for rental housing in the first half of this year.”

The release continues onto the 3-story design, “In addition to the 2-story type, a new 3-story type that can secure a larger number of dwelling units has been added to the lineup to further improve profitability for owners.”

The product is available for investors to order nationwide except for Hokkaido and Okinawa at time of writing.

The prototype plan for the new 3-story design is for 9 units with a total floor-to-land area of 495 square meters and an internal usable floorspace of 388 square meters including common areas.

Source: Misawa Home translated by REthink Tokyo

The floorplans for each unit are 1 bedroom + 2 work space designs, locally termed 1LDK + 2W.

Unit interior CG image; Source: Misawa Home

The two workstation areas are named Focus and Switch or Recharge configurations.

The Focus space, the same in all units, is a half level up immediately off the bedroom, accessed by stairs into a windowless space that allows the resident a distraction free area to work.  

Focus work room CG image; Source: Misawa Home

The Switch or Recharge space is an exterior facing space where the owner can choose which configuration to construct.  

Switch & Recharge work room configuration CG image; Source: Misawa Home

The 1st floor units open out into a garden while the 2nd and 3rd floors allow balcony space access.  

The building construction method uses a wood panel bonding method (in Japanese 木質パネル接着工法) which is a variant on wood frame construction that solves the problem of thermal insulation loss in wooden structures in Japan. 

Source: Misawa Home tranaslated by REthink Tokyo

1st floor units also come with a secondary storage crawlspace called Kura further adding to resident convenience. 

Kura crawlspace CG image; Source: Misawa Home

In addition, the building is equipped with a large-capacity solar power generation system to meet ZEH-M requirements with mini storage batteries, as well as a seismic damping system that reduces seismic energy by up to one-half.

Health oriented feature specifications that reduce the risk of infectious diseases are included in the design, for example having the washroom located close to the entrance to encourage more frequent hand washing when returning home. 

In addition, a home delivery box has been added to allow residents to receive packages without direct delivery person contact.  As well, the windowed Switch or Recharge space can be alternatively used as a sunroom to prevent pollen and fine inhalable particles (PM2.5) from adhering to clothes while drying.

The product is available for investors to order for construction in Japan nationwide except for Hokkaido and Okinawa.

Further Reading

Misawa Homes 3-story Product Press Release (Japanese only; November, 2021)

Misawa Homes 2-story Product Press Release (Japanese Only; January, 2021)