10 Stunning Photos Of Skinny Houses
There's a new trend: building modern houses that can fit into an eskinita
You’ve seen 13sqm studio units and 17sqm Nano houses on this website, but we’ve been noticing another big trend, lately: super-skinny houses. These are the hand-span houses that fit into what seems to be more like a gap between two lots (hence its other moniker: the “gap house”).
But don’t be dismayed—the right architect could transform a tiny sliver of lot area into a modernist home that’s almost like sculpture. See the best ones here:
The 4m-wide garden house
Japan is famous for its houses with minimal footprints, but this “Garden and House” by architect Ryue Nishizawa breaks external and internal barriers by incorporating the garden and outdoor spaces into the actual home. The house isn’t entirely open, though—floor-to-ceiling windows provide protection while giving the illusion of openness.
Long and thin in Japan
Another skinny house example in Japan is the Promenade House by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects. The 2.7m-wide house maximizes its long and narrow hallways by taking out any kind of visual clutter and keeping things clean and minimalist.
Raw concrete in Vietnam
Vietnam seems to be a growing laboratory for skinny houses, and this naked concrete house by 23o5 Studio architects is a good example. The exterior is pretty simple and straightforward, but the complexity of space and light is seen inside in its multiple lofts, clerestory windows, and sunlight baffles on the ceiling (below).
A 91-inch “gap house” in the UK
If you want a bit of a breather from modern tiny homes, then take a look at this 91-inch (2.3m-wide) “gap house” by Alma-Nac. The hip London design firm transformed what was once a horse’s stable into contemporary-traditional home that has a breakfast room, two (!) reception rooms, four bedrooms, and a loft.
READ: This 91-Inch House Can Give You Great Small-Space Ideas
The 72cm sliver in Warsaw
Designed by Polish architect Jakub Szczesny, the Keret House is touted as being the narrowest house in the world, with its skinniest point being a mere 72cm (28 inches). The house is sandwiched between two existing buildings, and its narrowness may make passersby miss it (see above). Once inside, a unique distribution of spaces and retractable stairs make it into a dynamic house.
