November 5th 2024.
Have you ever heard of the 'thinnest house' in the world? It's located in Warsaw, Poland and it's quite a sight to see. Nowadays, it's becoming increasingly difficult to get onto the property ladder. So, if you're lucky enough to secure a spot, you might be willing to settle for a smaller space than you originally had in mind. But just when you thought your city rental was tight, imagine living in a house that is only 92 centimetres wide at its narrowest point and 152 centimetres wide at its widest point. That's right, the Keret House in Warsaw is known as the 'thinnest house' in the world.
This unique property was built by Polish architect Jakub Szczesny and was intended to serve as temporary accommodation for traveling creatives. The first person to stay there was writer Etgar Keret, which is how the house got its name. Jakub stumbled upon the site one day while walking home and was struck with the idea of what he could do with it.
The house may be small, but it's definitely not lacking in creativity. Jakub had to custom-make all of the furniture as most things on the market were too large to even fit inside the house. He wanted the house to be a space for someone who enjoyed being alone and had a sense of humor. And let's just say, it takes a certain type of person to live in such a compact space.
But don't let the size fool you, the house is split across two floors and has a bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, and living area. However, you'll need to be comfortable using a ladder to move between levels. And while it may seem dark and cramped, there are two windows and a few translucent panels that allow natural light to enter.
One interesting fact about this house is that it doesn't have its own electricity supply. Instead, it relies on its neighbors for power. But fear not, there is running water and a sewage connection, so no need to rely on public restrooms. In the 12 years since it was built, the Keret House has made quite the impression and was even listed as one of the world's most notable homes by Iconic Houses.
It's worth noting that Warsaw is not the only city with narrow homes. In fact, they are quite common in Tokyo, where space is limited and housing costs are high. The population density in Tokyo is the highest in Japan and one of the highest in the world. This has led to homes being built on very small plots of land, resulting in some seriously narrow living spaces.
One example is a property in Tokyo that measures just 11.5 square meters. But don't let the size fool you, it has everything one might need, including a kitchen, bathroom, and two floors of living space. There's even room for a projector and a washing machine. And let's not forget about the skylight that brings in natural light.
However, living in such a small space may have its drawbacks. For one, there may not be much natural light due to the house being squeezed between larger buildings. And outdoor space is also limited. So, it's important to lead a balanced lifestyle and take breaks from the cramped living space.
In the end, it's up to personal preference whether living in a narrow home is feasible. But one thing is for sure, these homes are a creative solution to the limited space and high housing costs in cities like Warsaw and Tokyo. Who knows, maybe regularly-sized homes are overrated after all.
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