A UK-based sushi mogul has set his sights on revolutionizing the way we live. Simon Woodroffe, who started a popular sushi chain called YO! Sushi and a small-space hotel business called YOTEL, is getting into the home-design business. He launched YO! Home [1] in 2012, and it looks as though his dreams may soon become a reality.

On the YO! Home [2] website, Woodroffe has unveiled the latest prototype of his homes and explained his overall design philosophy. "By economizing space, without sacrificing quality and style, YO! Home is set to offer a high-end real estate experience at an affordable price," the site says. "In the future, people will look back and question why we used to be so wasteful with property space!"

There are a number of jaw-dropping features to be found in a YO! Home apartment. The bed, for starters, descends from the ceiling and, when in use, covers the sunken entertaining area. Storage is actually in the floor, accessible by pulling up hidden doors. The kitchen table is nestled into the floor as well, while the kitchen is hidden behind cabinet doors. All this is contained in 40 square meters, or about 430 square feet. That is seriously tiny.

So where will the first YO! Home be built? Woodroffe is in talks to close a deal to build in Manchester, England [3]. He hopes to have 24 tiny homes prebuilt in a factory, then delivered to a city-center site. If everything goes according to plan, the very first YO! Home could be ready for occupancy next year for those able to afford the roughly $235,000 price tag.

The latest YO! Home prototype clocks in at a jaw-dropping 40 square meters, or about 131 square feet.

When in use, the bed comes down from the ceiling and nestles into the sunken entertaining area.

Cabinets shut away the kitchen and washing machine when not in use.

The cabinet design is sleek and user-friendly.

The area where the kitchen table is docked can be used as open space during nondining hours.

The kitchen table is not part of the floor: it's nestled beneath the floor. Two panels that cover the table open to reveal padded seats.

Clever storage is located underneath the floorboards as well.

The sunken living room area has seating for many people.

A master view of the YO! Home prototype shows a sleek, clean design.