Artists, poets and architects Arakawa with his wife, Madeline Gins built these ‘reversible destiny’ loft-style apartments in Mitake, Japan. ‘Designed to stimulate the senses and force inhabitants to use balance, physical strength and imagination. The lofts feature uneven floors, oddly positioned power switches and outlets, walls and surfaces painted a dizzying array of colors, a tiny exit to the balcony, a transparent shower room, irregularly shaped curtainless windows, and more reversible design.’ According to their design vision, a home that keeps its inhabitants young and healthy should provide perpetual challenges- a challenge that can make the residents stay healthy in different ways. There are 2 rental units are now available for rent at 220,000- 250,000 yen ($2,000/$2,400) per month. That a price you should pay to stay and experience yourself ‘reversible destiny’ house.

The designers:

‘For Arakawa, reversible destiny is about more than just a state of mind. By way of example, he described the experience of elderly residents of a building in Mitaka, Japan, that the couple recently designed. Having to navigate a treacherous environment-  in some cases by moving ‘like a snake’ across the floor-  has, in fact, boosted their immune systems, he claimed. ‘Three, four months later, they say, ‘You’re so right, I’m so healthy now!’.’

For further information visit the designers’ website: www.reversibledestiny.org.