Given that the price of space is always increasing, narrow house designs are a special innovation in recent years. Proving to us that no space is too small, these architectural wonders throw all ideas of typical living spaces out the window. Whether houses squeezed between existing properties, structures built on impossibly narrow plots of land or homes with weird angles and strange floor plans, these daring designs prove that ingenuity knows no bounds. Today, we are going to take you a round trip throughout the world and present 10 of most unique and amazing narrow home designs.
The Keret House, Warsaw, Poland.
One of the narrowest houses in the world, squeezed between two buildings in Warsaw (Poland) is Keret House. But it also confirms a masterful feat of architectural gymnastics: The structure will be just 122 centimeters (4 feet) wide at its widest point. Designed by Jakub Szczęsny, this micro-home boasts a steel frame construction and minimalist interior that allows for the most efficient use of space. For it’s small size, the Keret House includes a bedroom with kitchen and living area. Its unique design and location have turned the building into a tourist destination as well as an image of groundbreaking urban living.
The Skinny House (Boston, USA)
This Skinny House is just 10 feet wide and wedged between two much blockier buildings in Boston’s North End. A clever layout ensures that the home, which has three storeys will use every inch of remaining space wisely. The kitchen and dining area are located on the ground floor, while there is a living room, bedrooms and bathrooms spread over two more levels. The interior is bathed in natural light through large windows that help make the smallish living space feel open and airy. It just goes to show that even the most difficult of urban land can be turned into habitable, trendy homes.
The Slim House (London, UK)
Find a Part-time-Home Tucked away in a narrow alleyway so common to London, the Slim House is yet again an eye-catching interpretation of what can do with limited plot. Its 2.3-meter-wide frame contains a variety of interconnected spaces that are allowed to blend into one another via the use of gradual stepping from room to room. Living room, bedrooms and bath place on upper floors with kitchen and dining area nestle in ground floor. Designed in vein of modernism – mostly white colors with natural materials, all around light and transparency from the surrounding urban scenery through oriented windows. The Slim House is a perfect example of what architects are capable in creating new homes with the difficult urban context.
Tokyo, Japan: The Ribbon House
The Ribbon House has an interesting contrast of openness and privacy for a small townhouse in Tokyo. The structure is a fine example of how the iconic architects best architecture combines clean and sophisticated aesthetics with long spatial characteristics that literally flows from one space to another, thus creating a pleasant feeling of spaciousness. The distinctive design of the house is based on a ribbon-like facade that continues in front of the building, offering privacy but still brightening through light. Its clutter-free design and light colors make it appear even more spacious. The Ribbon House showcases the incredible creativity of Japanese architects when faced with tough urban environments.
Triangular House in Japan
In the world of architecture, first impressions can be misleading. A prime example is this seemingly tiny house in Japan, designed by Mizuishi Architects Atelier. Nestled on a triangular plot between a river and a road, the house measures a mere 594 square feet. However, its compact exterior hides a surprisingly spacious interior.
The clever design utilizes two floors to maximize living space. The first floor houses the bedroom, while the second floor accommodates the kitchen and living room. A playful touch is added with a mezzanine level, accessible by ladder, which serves as a family playroom. The all-white interior creates an airy and expansive atmosphere, further enhancing the sense of space.
This unique house serves as a reminder that size isn’t everything. With thoughtful design, even the most compact spaces can be transformed into comfortable and functional homes. It’s a testament to the power of architecture to create unexpected and delightful living experiences.
The Long House (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Situated next to a canal in Amsterdam, this narrow plot has been maximised by the Long House. Only 4 meters (13 feet) wide at its broadest, the long house includes a sequence of different yet conjoined rooms that communicate with one another. The kitchen and dining area are located on the ground floor, with living room, bedrooms & bathrooms spread across upper floors. The interior is filled with natural light thanks to generous glazing on both sides of the dwelling, giving a sense of spaciousness in spite off relatively small floor space. The Long House is a great commendation for the skills of Dutch architects in creating plans tailored to constraints and complications within urban stylelettes.
The Stacked House (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)
The Stacked House is a response to the myriad of challenges faced in urbanisation, and particularly as realised here: Ho Chi Minh City. Rising vertically from a long narrow plot, this three-story house has space and light in abundance. The four levels of the building are purposefully utilised, including a kitchen and dining area on the ground level with living rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms situated both above as well as below. Its design includes tiered terraces and balconies to allow outdoor space among the natural light, but also absorb views of cityscape. The Stacked House — image via Dezeen.Type of urbanism: Vietnamese architects making it work in an impossible environment.
The Narrowest House in the World: A Quirky Landmark in Nantes, France
Tucked away in a picturesque public park in Nantes, France, lies a peculiar dwelling that captures the curiosity of passersby – the Narrowest House in the World. This whimsical structure, measuring a mere 122 centimeters (4 feet) at its widest point, is a testament to artistic expression and unconventional living spaces.
A House with a Story
The Narrowest House in the World, officially named “Maison de l’Écluse,” is nestled between two conventional buildings in the Île de Nantes district. It was built in 1933 following a peculiar legal dispute between two neighboring families. As the story goes, one family inherited a plot of land that was, unfortunately, too narrow to build on according to local regulations. Undeterred, the resourceful family commissioned an architect to construct a house that adhered to the building codes while maximizing the limited space.
An Architectural Feat
Despite its spatial constraints, Maison de l’Écluse is a fully functional two-story house. The ground floor features a compact living room and a kitchen, while the upper floor houses a bedroom and a bathroom accessible via a ladder. The house’s exterior, painted a cheerful shade of blue, is adorned with a charming red door and windows that add to its playful aesthetic.
The Wedge HouseLocated in Rotterdam, the design of this unusual triangle-shaped home has thrown any preconceived ideas about how to create a living space out of the window. Sited on an irregular, triangular plot of land, the unique house arrangement introduced a connected interior merging one living space with another. The kitchen and dining area are on the ground floor, with living room floors above as well as bedrooms and bathrooms. Despite the unconventional layout, a series of skylights and windows let in natural light — giving it an open feel. It is a good example of the creative and rational architectural solution in an adverse urban environment.
The Tube House (Buenos Aires, Argentina.)
This Tube House stands in the heart of Buenos Aires as an example to innovative architectural design. The cylindrical volume of the home grows in height as it spirals around, while remaining open to watch each new space open up into an adjacent one going upward. The kitchen and dining area are located on the ground floor with the living rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms occupying lounge spaces upstairs. Designed to take full advantage of its sunny, flat lot in the Hammond Park area, the house is flooded with natural light throughout thanks to a host of skylights and windows. The Tube House is a living example of how Argentine architects cleverly worked around the issue to create in challenging urban environments.
OH House: A Marvel of Modern Design in Tokyo
Tokyo, renowned for its dense urban landscape and innovative architecture, is home to another extraordinary dwelling: the OH House. Designed by the Japanese firm Atelier Tekuto Co. Ltd., this unique residence challenges conventional notions of space and form. Its irregular, polyhedron shape and bold, black facade instantly capture attention, standing out amidst the surrounding cityscape.
Innovative Solutions for a Narrow Lot
The OH House was conceived as a response to the constraints of a long and lean urban plot. The client’s desire for a front parking space further added to the challenge. Atelier Tekuto’s ingenious solution was a vertical house plan, maximizing the available space. The ground floor, partially submerged below ground level, houses the private areas – bedrooms and a bathroom. This subterranean level is surprisingly bright and airy thanks to a clever design element: the metal mesh parking pad above allows natural light to filter through.
Striking Design Elements
The home’s exterior is a study in contrasts. The stark black facade is punctuated by windows of various sizes, creating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. A set of stairs leads down to the main entrance, enhancing the sense of intrigue.
Inside, the OH House continues to surprise. The ground floor, despite being partially underground, feels spacious and inviting. The all-white bathroom at the end of the hall is a sanctuary of serenity, its minimalist aesthetic complemented by clever use of light and mirrors.
Open-Concept Living
The upper levels are dedicated to social spaces. The open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area are bathed in natural light thanks to strategically placed windows. Minimalist decor and furniture ensure a sense of openness and airiness. A loft level overlooks the main living space, providing an additional area for relaxation or work.
A Testament to Ingenuity
The OH House is a testament to the power of creative design. It proves that even the most challenging sites can yield extraordinary results. Its innovative use of space, light, and form has created a dwelling that is both functional and aesthetically striking. It’s a home that makes you say “OH!” in awe and admiration.
Conclusion – Narrow House Design
These top 10 weird and narrow house designs of peculiar architectural shape shown bellow are the best evidence how architects or home owners can get creative with small limited space. These homes demonstrate that living can take place almost anywhere…even at their most extreme, urban environments are never too far gone for the enterprising home-owner. With no end to the global population growth on sight and with urban spaces getting even more crammed, these solutions are only scratching the surface of how we will have to live under in 50 years.