Skinny Vertical

A few days in Tokyo will open up your eyes and provide some different perspective on scale, height and space in general. Especially if you are 6’-3” accustomed to a 20’ x 20’ bedroom in the US. I saw a 6-story townhome that appears to be 12 – 15’ wide inclusive of stairs, a seemingly untenable situation. However, the architecture makes it a curious and impressive structure, and from a brief tour, a very idyllic place to reside. I am quite positive that this new construction would never be approved in the US: the slope and size of the stairs, the minimal turning radius and the width of the doors would start off the tort lawyer’s review. However, in Tokyo it is a beautiful home. I am sure that much of this is a result of the historical ownership and the small lots on which the builder had to work. Nevertheless, I think it is a very creative solution. Although I believe that a lot of codes are necessary for building safety, fair housing, etc., but if you could develop units like this in the US, it is fair to say that they would be great little abodes for many a city dweller!

Our friends at Blackline Studio sent us this other example in Amsterdam. 44 houses on 0.7 acres. Very cool.