SubscribeSign In
Collection by Miyoko Ohtake

The Best of Small Spaces

Small spaces have been on our mind (check out our June 2009 "Think Smaller" issue), and they’ve also been on the minds of the American Institute of Architects.

The national architects’ association recently honored 20 architecture and design firms by naming them recipients of the fifth annual Small Projects Awards. The projects range from homes to offices to bus shelters but all share the theme of efficiency. Click the “View Slideshow” at the top right-hand corner of this post to view eight of our favorite projects from the pool of honorees.

View 15 Photos
The Accessory Building by mcfarlane green biggar Architecture and Design was designed as a small office in the midst of a residential neighborhood in North Vancouver, British Columbia. At 269 square feet, the building is the maximum size allowed as a non-parking use accessory building.
The Accessory Building by mcfarlane green biggar Architecture and Design was designed as a small office in the midst of a residential neighborhood in North Vancouver, British Columbia. At 269 square feet, the building is the maximum size allowed as a non-parking use accessory building.
Architect firm
Architect firm
Inspired by covered wagons of yore, the Mobile Chaplet was formed by weaving over two hundred 30-foot-long rods across the width of a trailer bed. A bench is supported by the rods, which act as the backrest.
Inspired by covered wagons of yore, the Mobile Chaplet was formed by weaving over two hundred 30-foot-long rods across the width of a trailer bed. A bench is supported by the rods, which act as the backrest.
This temporary Media Arts building in Cleveland, Ohio, by
This temporary Media Arts building in Cleveland, Ohio, by
Space is at a maximum in this small urban infill home in Bozeman, Montana. To keep the second floor open but allow access to a third-floor loft, the architects at Intrinsik Architecture designed a counterbalanced steel staircase that can be easily pulled down or pushed up with minimal effort by the residents.
Space is at a maximum in this small urban infill home in Bozeman, Montana. To keep the second floor open but allow access to a third-floor loft, the architects at Intrinsik Architecture designed a counterbalanced steel staircase that can be easily pulled down or pushed up with minimal effort by the residents.
Movement is an inherent part of this small-space solution, and it comes as no surprise that the architects were inspired by automotive industrial designs and the stairs include a vertical track that utilizes modified rubber skateboard wheels.
Movement is an inherent part of this small-space solution, and it comes as no surprise that the architects were inspired by automotive industrial designs and the stairs include a vertical track that utilizes modified rubber skateboard wheels.
The Dominey Pavillion by Lightroom Studio is sited behind the Decatur, Georgia, home of family of Case Study House enthusiasts. The project includes a deck, outdoor living room, garden, carport, and driveway.
The Dominey Pavillion by Lightroom Studio is sited behind the Decatur, Georgia, home of family of Case Study House enthusiasts. The project includes a deck, outdoor living room, garden, carport, and driveway.
The outdoor living room features a fireplace inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian “heart of the home” hearth philosophy.
The outdoor living room features a fireplace inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian “heart of the home” hearth philosophy.
This bus shelter by
This bus shelter by
The roof of the one-story house is supported by four V-shaped glulam columns to reduce obstacles for the resident with cerebral palsy. The kitchen has no upper cabinets, and the bathroom features a walk-in shower with bench for wheelchair accessibility.
The roof of the one-story house is supported by four V-shaped glulam columns to reduce obstacles for the resident with cerebral palsy. The kitchen has no upper cabinets, and the bathroom features a walk-in shower with bench for wheelchair accessibility.
This 1,380-square-foot home in Spring Prairie, Wisconsin, was gutted and renovated by Johnsen Schmaling Architects. The new interior features built-in closets and cabinets to maximize space.
This 1,380-square-foot home in Spring Prairie, Wisconsin, was gutted and renovated by Johnsen Schmaling Architects. The new interior features built-in closets and cabinets to maximize space.
The house is wrapped on three sides with a rain screen of weathering steel panels. On the northern facade, a clerestory window lets in light to illuminate the inside spaces.
The house is wrapped on three sides with a rain screen of weathering steel panels. On the northern facade, a clerestory window lets in light to illuminate the inside spaces.