Architecture

Skinny house is smaller than a couple of parking spaces

Skinny house is smaller than a couple of parking spaces
Slim Fit measures just 4 m (13 ft) wide
Slim Fit measures just 4 m (13 ft) wide
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Slim Fit has a total floorspace of 50 sq m (538 sq ft), spread over three floors
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Slim Fit has a total floorspace of 50 sq m (538 sq ft), spread over three floors
Slim Fit takes up a physical footprint of just 16 sq m (172 sq ft)
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Slim Fit takes up a physical footprint of just 16 sq m (172 sq ft)
Slim Fit measures just 4 m (13 ft) wide
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Slim Fit measures just 4 m (13 ft) wide
Slim Fit has three floors
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Slim Fit has three floors
Slim Fit was built with a wooden frame
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Slim Fit was built with a wooden frame
Slim Fit's interior is finished in birch panels
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Slim Fit's interior is finished in birch panels
Slim Fit features generous glazing
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Slim Fit features generous glazing
Slim Fit's furniture includes sliding partitions and a bookcase
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Slim Fit's furniture includes sliding partitions and a bookcase
The bedroom and bathroom are located on Slim Fit's topmost floor
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The bedroom and bathroom are located on Slim Fit's topmost floor
Slim Fit takes up a physical footprint of just 16 sq m (172 sq ft)
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Slim Fit takes up a physical footprint of just 16 sq m (172 sq ft)
Slim Fit has three floors
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Slim Fit has three floors
Slim Fit's interior decor is very utilitarian
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Slim Fit's interior decor is very utilitarian
Slim Fit's ground floor includes a dining room and kitchenette
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Slim Fit's ground floor includes a dining room and kitchenette
Slim Fit's ground floor includes a dining room and kitchenette
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Slim Fit's ground floor includes a dining room and kitchenette
Slim Fit's exterior is clad in hardwood
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Slim Fit's exterior is clad in hardwood
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It's always interesting to see the different approaches architects take when designing a narrow home. This one, called Slim Fit, takes up a physical footprint of just 16 sq m (172 sq ft) – which is less than a couple of typical car parking spaces. Despite its diminutive size, the micro-dwelling includes relatively well-proportioned living, sleeping and dining areas.

Slim Fit was originally conceived back in 2016 for a tiny house competition, but was only completed recently. It has a total floorspace of 50 sq m (538 sq ft), spread over three floors, which is a bit roomier than the similar Tikku. It's envisioned as an infill house, so would be installed in small plots in urban areas, such as between buildings or in an alleyway, for example.

The home comprises a wooden frame and is clad in hardwood, with a utilitarian interior decor consisting of birch panel-lined walls and plywood furniture. It also boasts quite generous glazing, which should help make the place feel a bit less claustrophobic inside.

Slim Fit's ground floor features a dining area and compact kitchenette that open up to the outside with sliding glazed doors. Moving up a level reveals a living room, while the bedroom and bathroom are up on the third floor.

Slim Fit features generous glazing
Slim Fit features generous glazing

Sliding partitions on each floor can be closed to help keep the warmth in (Slim Fit features a central heating system) and the windows were also placed with an eye on ventilation to keep the interior naturally cool. Though bookshelves are installed on each floor, there doesn't seem to be a great deal of storage space otherwise.

The prototype Slim Fit unit pictured was purchased by a design company to be used as a residence for visiting collaborators, and is now installed in Almere Poort, the Netherlands.

Source: Ana Rocha Architecture

View gallery - 15 images
2 comments
2 comments
Tom Lee Mullins
I think this is really nice.
Nik
Running up three floors, to visit the WC in an emergency, could be more than a little stressful. It would have been more ergonomic to fit the WC on the middle floor, so it was more accessible, with entrance through a ventilated lobby between it and the living space that could double as a coat hanging space. 16 square meters translates to 4m x 4m (12' x 12') which is about one and a half container widths, so rather more 'elbow room' than a container. From the pictures, there are no ceilings visible, just the underside of the floors, which would mean for a lot of footstep noise transmission. Residents would probably want to attend to that matter fairly early on in their occupation. I'm wondering what the target users will be. Certainly not suitable for the elderly, or family use, with small children. No doubt a young couple seeking a first home would be interested, and possibly they could be grouped side by side, and back to back to provide temporary housing for the displaced, but again the addition of sound insulation would be essential. Could be a useful solution for some, and a better solution than a bed-sitter, or a B 'n' B any day.