While driving around western Kansas City this home caught our eye. At first we thought it was neat because of the square paneling on the outside of the building and the giant red stripe that goes up one side. However, once we drove past it, we realized a few other things were a bit out of the norm. Click through the jump to see what else caught our attention...
We took note that the house is super skinny. 3.5 doorways wide to be exact. (We thought they might find it a bit creepy if busted out the tape measure and knocked on the door asking for dimensions.) The house is deep in nature, something that might be associated with brownstones that stand side by side, not necessarily a free standing building like this one.
After thinking we enjoyed the look of the slight overhang on the side of the roof we noticed the lack of gutters... which as you can see in the later picture have been moved to the center of the building. It sure would make cleaning your downspouts out easier. If they would have been placed on the corner where they are traditionally are, it would have given the house extra visual bulk that it didn't need, distracting the eye from such a trim little house.
We appreciated the stripe on the front of the house, as mentioned before, being repeated along the side of the building makes it look like a finished thought and not just a can of "Oops Paint" gone array. Also, the house numbers, mailbox and front porch lights were included in the design instead of being an after thought.
The house next door (although we didn't grab a picture, our apologies) is done in the same manner and is under renovation, look for a side by side picture coming soon!
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
hachi machi! that is a skinny house!
view damask's profile
the Westside has become a hotbed for new funky residential construction in KC.
I saw this at various stages of construction and it's turned out better than I thought it would. I do wish there was a roof above the door - surely there is a creative way to work one into that red stripe. Just something to break the plane of the front wall. And the numbers, light and mailbox (and security camera on the corner of the house) do look a bit like afterthoughts to me. Perhaps "underthoughts" is a better term.
Have you checked out the new house (I think it's a house) at 15th and Summit? It's immaculate... and very pricey furniture to boot.
view matt in kc's profile
It looks like a souped-up version of a shotgun house --
http://bywater.org/arch/shotgun.htm
There used to be a row of them in my old neighborhood (in Washington) but they were all torn down for a very ordinary "town house" development.
view Deborah's profile
that looks wider than 3.5 doorways to me, but, yes, it's narrow.
has anyone ever seen the (world's?) narrowest house in amsterdam? it's like half that wide.
view pinko's profile
I wish we could have pics of the inside. I couldnt imagine how small it is inside.
view MuffinGal's profile
Arrrrrggghhhh!!
No, tell me it isn't so!! Tell me that you, Sarah, haven't succumbed to the other AT posters' habit of writing in the "WE" sense instead of "I"! I certainly hope NOT!
That was one of the things that first attracted me to your posts when you were "trying out" for AT, the fact that your posts all read "I....." and not "We.....". One of my biggest pet peeves about the AT postings is the use of "WE" when there's usually clearly just ONE person involved in the viewing/posting.
Please, please, PLEASE return to posting using "I".
That said, this is otherwise a nice post on an interesting looking house.
view Daily Nuance's profile
matt in kc, do you mean the house at 16th & summit? on the west side of the street? if so, it's a graphic design firm. i live on the next block over and walk my dog every day. at first i thought it was someone's residence and i couldn't understand how a) they kept it that clean and b) i never saw anyone eating at the huge saarinen table. love those windows and love that furniture.
view kcmo's profile
Is that blue garage theirs or next doors?
view somuchbetter's profile
kcmo, I wondered the exact same things. That's good to know it's a business. Now I won't have to be jealous about someone having so much sweet furniture.
It's interesting how the Westside has replaced West Plaza as the hot spot for new, modern residential architecture.
view matt in kc's profile
Here in Puerto Rico is the smallest home in the world, in Old San Juan. I've never seen the interior, but I've heard almost all the furniture in the house folds into the walls. here's the link:
http://puertoricogallery.blogspot.com/2007/02/la-estructura-ms-pequea-del-viejo-san.html
view Loreta's profile
Can someone give me an idea of where this is, and the general area of the "westside" that has been mentioned in the comments? I live in KC and would like to swing through the area. Thanks!
view dharmabum's profile
dharmabum- This particular house is located on Jefferson St, between W 16th St and W 17th St.
Anything 4 blocks west of that location, and all the way back down to SW Blvd is worth a gander!
view sarahrae's profile
The smallest house I've been in is 13 feet wide (and holds a family of five!). Looks about the same width as this place. But Loreta, that photo is definitely the skinniest house I've ever seen - would love to see in the inside.
view greer's profile
Thanks, sarahrae!
view dharmabum's profile
like the dimensions and the affordable materials. don't like the asymmetry of the window sizes on the face or the lack of windows on the side....and you'd figure that someone with a dwell aesthetic, even on a budget, would have come up with something other than chain link fencing.
don't anticipate any design awards here.
view healthyhome's profile
The house is indeed about 12.5 to 13ft narrow. All I can say, is you should have seen it before...and I have pictures if anyone (AT?) is interested.
The Architect/Builder is Dale Staten (www.dalestaten.com).
view bc's profile
bc- I would love to see what you have up your sleeve you can email anything to my attention at chicago@apartmenttherapy.com Thanks!
view sarahrae's profile