Vancouver Real Estate Thinning
Posted July 6th, 2009 in Community, Observations
Slim is In
Put away those Smarties!
Slimming up or slimming down, will by default make your contribution to the world’s carbon footprint problem lighter. Slim is In could be the battle cry for those who want us to be greener, more eco-friendly or a convincing slogan to buy into Vancouver’s idea of eco-density. Without being lightheaded, the loss of personal weight offers triple incentive as the result will be a healthier, wiser population as we adapt to the new thin environment by leaving a smaller housing foot print.
Eco
Vancouver’s head long dash to be more ‘eco everything’ includes the plan to provide more housing at less cost, using less space within the city. By losing a few pounds or at least thinking thin, we may be able to adapt into our city landscape, the reality of thin houses.
Using current construction technique, ‘greener’ materials combined with superior architecture and city planning, a thin house for the new thin generation might be a solution.
Old News
This idea is nothing new. Thin houses have existed for a very long time. Look at this old beauty Charleston.
The Japanese were amongst the first to miniaturize everything. Well, maybe not the first, but they certainly were the most prodigious. For a number of years they’ve been to be doing the same with their homes and commercial buildings.
Back to the Future
If detached or attached inner city living is the wave of the future in Vancouver, that future may already be the present and ready to adapt to our requirements. All we need to do, is start thinking thin.
Links to great thin designs.
City Dweller(my name) by Apollo Architects
Ghost (the ultimate minimalist) Datar Architecture
and more – some old some new, but all worth the view.
If you’re talking thin then you have to mention the Sam Kee Building in our Chinatown now used by Jack Chow insurance.
For information on the “narrowest commercial building in the world” – see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Kee_Building
Ron
Ron
Of course, while focused on residential eco-density the Sam Kee slipped out of mind. Many thanks for mentioning this marvelous piece of Vancouverism.
I think you may actually have a good point with this. I wouldn’t mind seeing thinner structures as it would make for quite an architectural marvel. Check these out:
http://designcrave.com/2009-06-22/10-brilliant-boxy-and-sustainable-shipping-container-homes/
Crabby,
Exactly! There are so many alternatives to recycle existing systems. With the help and ingenuity of desginer/architects the possibilities are before our eyes. As Ron kindly reminded me, we’ve had one of these marvels in the city for a long time.
I’m really digging the the thin (and small).
This site is a treasure trove for small space architecture afficionados like myself:
http://www.littlediggs.com
Andrea,
Great link to semi-mobile living. With variations the small homes in the mountains could be adapted to in-fill housing in the city. At the home show I only saw two local contenders. Both would occupy a big footprint on most lots in this city. I’ve been trying to find the link to a British firm that builds garages that are hydraulically controlled and allow you to park your car underground while giving you green space above. It’s an elevator arrangement that is totally hidden when the car is parked. Locally it might present some problems with hidden creeks and bogs but nothing is insurmountable.