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SOLVING PROBLEMS
7.2
From the ‘Sliding House’ to
Poland’s narrowest house,
Sachiko Kimura chooses her
favourite homes that solve
space problems or deal with the
challenge of the climate.
1
The Sliding House
This remarkable building was built
in Suffolk, UK, by architects dRMM.
They were asked by the owners to
prioritise three things: light, space and
a connection with the outdoors. The
architects came up with a space that
changes, using a huge, 20-tonne sliding
glass cover on railway tracks. The cover
protects the building and also transforms
it. The building lives and breathes and
is an ingenious solution. But most of all,
I think it is fun andmakes people smile
when they see it. At present, several
sliding houses are being manufactured
by dRMM.
2
Reflection of the Minera
l
I have always loved Japanese space-
saving architecture and especially the
brilliant capsule hotels. This 146m
2
house, built in Nagano, Tokyo, is proof
that ‘less is more’. It was designed by
Yasuhiro Yamashita and I like the
successful use of modern architectural
ideas combined with clever use of
space as well as structural design. It
really has made use of every inch of
space available. Even the furniture
and appliances have been constructed
keeping the contours of this
extraordinary building in mind. The
house has won numerous architectural
awards and experts think it will soon
be recognised as a landmark in its own
right.
3
Domestic Transformer
Hong Kong is one of the world’s most
densely populated cities. Architect
Gary Chang grew up there in a tiny
flat with six others. Chang has come
up with an innovative answer to
the increasingly cramped lives of
many urban dwellers. I think he has
transformed his cramped apartment
into something really special. The
tiny 32m
2
rectangular apartment has
polished chrome walls that can change
into 24 different configurations, each
serving a specific need. The space
available can change into a home
theatre, spa, kitchen, bedroom or
a chill-out roomwith a hammock,
depending on what Chang needs at any
moment. Chang hopes his dwelling
offers a viable life-enhancing alternative
for people in Hong Kong who can’t
afford anything bigger.
4
Keret’s House
I was intrigued by Poland’s narrowest
house. The tiny house measures just
91cm across at the narrowest point
and is wedged into the gap between
two buildings in Warsaw. It is clearly
not designed with family life in mind
and is only just big enough for one
person to inch their way from the
single bed through the miniscule
kitchen and into the tiny toilet. The
building started life as an art installation
designed by filmmaker Etgar Keret,
who then decided to use the property
as a workplace when he was in Poland.
There is only a total floor space of 46
square feet in the two-floor structure
which is made of iron.
Who wants to live in a house like this?
