In a world where architecture often prioritizes grandeur and expansive space, a fascinating counterpoint exists: astonishingly thin, narrow, and compact buildings. These engineering marvels challenge traditional concepts of size and scale, squeezing into tight urban spaces or rising tall with impossibly slim profiles. From sleek residential towers to impossibly narrow facades, these architectural wonders prove that size doesn’t always equate to significance. Join us as we explore ten of the world’s thinnest buildings, where creativity and innovation have crafted some of the most striking structures on the planet.
10 – Virginia, USA
At just under 7 feet wide it is not much wider than I am tall! But this is no new build, constructed in 1830 it is often called “The Spite House” and was built to block access to the alley between the two existing houses.
9 – Clapham, UK
How much would you pay for a house that is just 7ft 7ins wide and only 721 square feet in size? Try £800,000! This is, of course, London we are talking about and with living space at a premium people will try to make anything into a luxury home!
8 – Osaka, Japan
What I like about this one is that it is ultra modern and shows what great use of space a modern architect can come up with! This house might only be 9 feet wide, but a large amount of glass will certainly make it feel a lot more.
7 – Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
While not the thinnest on this list, it is certainly the most colourful. At just 5ft wide it is indeed worthy of being on this list, but I think the colour of it makes up for how thin it is.
6 – Warsaw, Poland
Enough messing around already, let me answer the big question: What and where is the thinnest house in the world? Well, it is made by Jakub Szczesny and believe it or not it is just 3 feet wide!!! And I will end this one with a quote by the architect that built it “It requires a sense of humour, as you cannot stay too long in one place.”
5 – Great Cumbrae, UK
This is “The Wedge” and is officially the UK’s thinnest home! And with a thin point at just 6.7ft, it really is a tight squeeze, and it is also in the Guinness Book of Records for having the narrowest recorded frontage of any house in the world.
4 – Matsudo, Tokyo
This house made by Yasuhiro Yamashita and Atelier Tekuto is called “Lucky Drops” is 9ft wide, 96ft tall! With its trapezoid look, it really is very impressive and quite modern!
3 – Massachusetts, USA
Believe it or not this house in one of the widest in this list! At 10.4 ft, it is a bit of a wide boy, but then again it is a 4 story house so some wide support structure is needed.
2 – Toronto, Canada
There are not many houses in the World that people would call “cute” but this has to be one of them. At 7.25ft wide and 113.67ft long it really is very thing but long, the racing snake of homes! Before anyone asks, this is a long way off being the Worlds smallest home.
1 – Charleston, USA
This impossibly narrow house is, in fact, an art project by David Hammons. Done is a Charleston single house style it really is very compact and even has an upstairs balcony!
These slender architectural marvels stand as a testament to the ingenuity and vision of architects and engineers who dare to defy convention. Despite their narrow frames, each building offers more than meets the eye—whether it’s making the most of limited space, offering unique design perspectives, or simply standing as a work of art in urban landscapes. As we move toward a future where space becomes an even more precious commodity, these structures remind us that elegance, functionality, and innovation can coexist in even the slimmest of forms.
Inspired by these stunning examples of compact architecture? Share your thoughts on which of these thin buildings amazed you the most. If you enjoyed this journey through the world of skinny structures, don’t forget to subscribe for more architectural wonders from around the globe. Explore the boundaries of design, and who knows—you might discover a new appreciation for the art of compact living!