Initially presented in 2009 as a rather eccentric architect's idea, one of the world's narrowest houses will be built in Warsaw, Poland. Referred to as an "impossible house" by its designer Jakub Szczesny of Centrala design studio, the house will be 152 cm (60 in) across in its widest spot on the outside. It's located in the center of Warsaw in a small slot between two buildings, and will be officially defined as an art installation, as it does not meet any legal standards of construction in Poland.
The house's interior width varies from 122 cm to 72 cm (48 - 28 in), with a length of 12 m (39 ft) and two floors. The whole living area measures just 14.5 sq meters (156 sq ft). The house's aim in general is to produce creative work conditions for artists and intellectuals representing various fields. It looks like it might be inhabited on a more permanent basis, however, as it was offered to Israeli writer Etgar Keret as a workplace and hideaway - he has already expressed his desire to live in Warsaw, as it was where his parents met. Thus, the house has been dubbed "Hermitage - Etgar Keret's House."
To save space, Centrala architects designed transformable stairs, which lay flat to serve as a floor on the lowest level when not used as an entrance. Upper floors are accessible via ladders. The house will be fully sufficient as a living place with a mini bathroom and bedroom, featuring sewage and water systems (boat-inspired) and powered via the neighboring building. It's based on a steel frame, finished with plywood insulated sandwich panels and Styrofoam, painted in white both on the inside and outside.
The project is scheduled to begin in September, and has received initial funding of US$53,000 from the Warsaw city council, with further funds to be gathered through donations.
