Cool Urban Houses Built On Narrow And Deep Sites
Densely-populated cities have recently embraced a new trend that diverges from the desire for large and luxurious mansions and instead favors small-scale living. Houses are now being constructed on small plots with challenging topographies, even between existing buildings. Narrow and deep structures have become increasingly prevalent.
Despite their seemingly tiny footprints and slender appearance, these houses boast surprising openness and spaciousness within.
They achieve this through flexible interiors that create new circulation routes and suggest innovative storage solutions. These narrow and deep houses are among the most fascinating ever constructed.
A tall and narrow family home in Osaka showcases a white aesthetic
One of the best examples of houses built on deep and narrow urban plots is located in Osaka, Japan. Designed and constructed by Ido, Kenji Architectural Studio, this house has a small 32 square meter floor area but feels surprisingly spacious. It is a home for a family of four, with a total floor area of 94 square meters spread across three levels. The first floor serves as a large living area without any pillars.
The master bedroom occupies the ground floor, while the children’s rooms are on the second floor. The house also features a rooftop terrace.
The two houses we showed you were impressive, but this 1.8 m house from Tokyo surpasses them. As the name suggests, the house is just 1.8 meters wide and was built on a 2.5 m by 11 m site by YUUA architects. It has a steel frame and is taller than its neighbors, with a fully glazed facade facing the street.
Japan is a great source of narrow and deep houses, including the previous family home in Osaka and this house in Nada. Developed by FujiwaraMuro Architects, the house is located on a 36.95 square meter plot. Because of its location between neighboring buildings, skylights were installed and gaps connect the floors, allowing light to reach all the spaces.
This design maximizes natural sunlight on all floors. The lack of closed spaces allows for even light distribution. Additionally, two skylights were included in the design to compensate for the narrow and deep layout.
These elements, along with a fluid and natural distribution of spaces, create a cozy and comfortable home.
3.6 m house in Oimachi
Building a usable, comfortable, and airy house on a deep narrow plot is not impossible, but it presents challenges. One key challenge is finding a suitable way to provide privacy while also ensuring sufficient natural light. With ingenuity, privacy can be achieved, as demonstrated in this house from Oimachi, Japan.
Completed in 2010 by LEVEL Architects, privacy was a top priority in this project.
In addition to its tall and narrow design, this house features a courtyard-like space at the center that brings light into all the main areas. The third-floor bedrooms and bathrooms are arranged around this central feature. Moreover, this void helps distinguish the living room and loft space, which have varying ceiling heights.
Narrow split-level house on 3.7 m wide site
When it comes to designing a narrow house on a small site, it’s important to take into account the limitations and challenges that come with it. This type of project requires careful planning and strategy to make the most of the available space while maximizing functionality and aesthetic appeal.
A split-level design can be an effective solution for a narrow house on a small site. It allows for the creation of multiple levels within the limited width of the site, maximizing the usable space without compromising on the overall layout and design. By utilizing the vertical space efficiently, a narrow split-level house can provide all the necessary functionality and amenities while still maintaining a sense of openness and spaciousness.
One of the key advantages of a split-level design is the ability to separate different areas of the house without the need for walls or partitions. This creates a more fluid and open living environment, with seamless transitions between different spaces. For example, the living area can be located on the lower level, while the bedroom and bathroom areas can be on the upper levels, providing privacy and a sense of separation while still maintaining a cohesive layout.
Additionally, a split-level design allows for the integration of natural light and ventilation, which is particularly important in a narrow house on a small site. By strategically placing windows and skylights, it’s possible to maximize the intake of natural light and fresh air, creating a bright and airy living environment. This not only enhances the overall ambiance of the house but also contributes to energy efficiency and reduces the reliance on artificial lighting and mechanical ventilation.
In conclusion, a narrow split-level house can be an ideal solution for a small site, providing an efficient and aesthetically pleasing design that maximizes functionality and openness. By understanding the unique challenges and limitations of a narrow house, and by utilizing a split-level design approach, it’s possible to create a unique and practical living space that meets all the requirements and exceeds expectations. So if you’re looking for a design solution that is both innovative and practical, a narrow split-level house might be the perfect choice for you.
This Osaka home was designed by FujiwaraMuro Architects in 2016. The house, measuring 3.75 m by 16.92 m, has split-level floors with a basement and three above-ground levels. The first floor houses the entryway, the second floor includes a combined living, dining, and kitchen space along with a work station, and the third floor contains the bedrooms and bathrooms. The house also has a rooftop area.
One notable design feature is the stainless steel chain curtain that hangs across the facade. Stay tuned for our next featured home in Abeno Ward, which offers a see-through design.
Isn’t it cool how you can see right through this house? It’s as if the building is part of the scenery. The house was designed by Fujiwaramuro Architects and sits on a site measuring 3.94 meters x 17.89 meters.
What’s special about it (in addition to the narrow and deep layout) is the visual continuity established between the house and the outdoors, from street side all the way to the back.
The interior follows a cross-section structure, with the stairs clustered at the center. This doesn’t obstruct the views thanks to the minimalist and open design. Furthermore, all the partition walls inside the house are made of glass, same as the facades.
The interior spaces are structured on four levels, including a basement area.
Narrow townhouse in Ho Chi Minh.
Built on a narrow piece of land in Ho Chi Minh City, this townhouse stands out due to its unique design and structure. The ground floor functions as a business area, while the upper levels serve as a tiered private residence with a main living area and sleeping spaces. Natural light floods the interior through a large skylight. A notable design element is the retractable shutter that frames the living area.
MM++ architects completed this captivating project.
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