SubscribeSign In
Collection by Erika Heet

Super Skinny Houses

When life gives you lot restrictions, make it slender. The architects and homeowners behind the following buildings found clever ways to make the most of tiny footprints and other challenges.

View 6 Photos
The compact 712-square-foot cottage sits on top of a 430-square-foot workshop, where Baker’s firm prototypes and produces custom furnishings for his practice. “Not only is there room for more density on most residential blocks in San Francisco, but, if thoughtfully conceived, it also enriches our communities and makes our cities more resilient,” Baker says.
The compact 712-square-foot cottage sits on top of a 430-square-foot workshop, where Baker’s firm prototypes and produces custom furnishings for his practice. “Not only is there room for more density on most residential blocks in San Francisco, but, if thoughtfully conceived, it also enriches our communities and makes our cities more resilient,” Baker says.
The POD INDAWO prototype prefab home from South Africa—the name comes from an indigenous word for place—offers a sustainable, affordable solution to overcome the high barrier to homeownership.
The POD INDAWO prototype prefab home from South Africa—the name comes from an indigenous word for place—offers a sustainable, affordable solution to overcome the high barrier to homeownership.
The glass-enclosed master bedroom floats above the corrugated, oxidized steel exterior.
The glass-enclosed master bedroom floats above the corrugated, oxidized steel exterior.
Storey calls this house the “Eel’s Nest,” after the narrow urban properties that go by that name in Japan. Its façade was originally going to be wood, but because of local building codes and the fact the building is built along the edge of the property line, the exterior had to be fireproof. Storey covered it with stucco instead. “I wanted it to look as rough as possible,” says the architect. “Since it’s such a small house, it needed to be tough-looking.” The workshop at ground level measures less than 200 square feet, but is set up to accommodate any kind of woodworking or welding; when not in use, the architect parks his car inside.
Storey calls this house the “Eel’s Nest,” after the narrow urban properties that go by that name in Japan. Its façade was originally going to be wood, but because of local building codes and the fact the building is built along the edge of the property line, the exterior had to be fireproof. Storey covered it with stucco instead. “I wanted it to look as rough as possible,” says the architect. “Since it’s such a small house, it needed to be tough-looking.” The workshop at ground level measures less than 200 square feet, but is set up to accommodate any kind of woodworking or welding; when not in use, the architect parks his car inside.
Architect Ernesto Bedmar had previously converted an unused alley into a loft. As it started to deteriorate, he had the idea to transform the space into a high-design restaurant called El Papagayo. The site is under eight feet wide and around 105 feet long.
Architect Ernesto Bedmar had previously converted an unused alley into a loft. As it started to deteriorate, he had the idea to transform the space into a high-design restaurant called El Papagayo. The site is under eight feet wide and around 105 feet long.