6-foot-wide home in DC's driveway elbows to 10 feet: see how

[@MGSBESTProductions]

The city zoning it differently post purchase is so stupid. They put this man in a box and he absolutely thrived! 😊 Good for him!

[@colleendemaio]

You mean like what they did to all the people who saved forever to buy in single family zoning so they could live somewhere peaceful, private, and quiet, with solar panels and a vegetable garden, and then the zoning got changed and suddenly developers could cram a tall plywood box next door up to the lot line and block out the solar power, kill the garden, take away the privacy, and replace the sound of birds with endless noise of many tvs, shouting, cars everywhere, and so forth? You're right, the city changing zoning post purchase is stupid.

[@spicynomad]

its the developer. when you have money to burn you make the city approve what you want to do. sick.

[@swaters5127]

Thank the liberals

[@eamonnmckeown6770]

@@swaters5127 yup. They rail against wealth only because they covet it so much. This town is a freaking joke. Congress needs to dissolve the mayorship and council. Place got slammed with massive apt. developments and offices for lobbyists soon as it happened. We lost most of our alleyways downtown for deliveries so now trucks jam up major streets double and triple parking. Lots of cash passed around in brown envelopes to make that happen. Then they got rid of the parking for empty bicycle lanes. For all their post graduate degrees liberals are some of the dumbest people alive.

[@LoveyCee]

Hell yeah!!!

[@DeShawnHatcher]

My favorite part was how proud he was of his space. He should be, he did a great job!

[@sullytx8120]

The city tried to bury this guy and he came back swingin! Amazing creativity!

[@cynthiarogers2904]

*BRAVO !!!*

[@martinemjt]

amazing that some people think they are contributing to a better world by constantly putting sticks in other people s wheel!

[@ljsrkizzie]

Okay, I have toured this home and it’s awesome. I am a developer in dc and have done several alley projects! He’s got a real pos for a neighbor in back who does everything he can to stop a sale. Also, this home has been on many local web sites, IG accounts and so on with mostly negative comments and I make a point to write a long winded positive review. It’s an awesome house and priced below comparable condos nearby that also have condo fees and someone else sleeping over you and below you, this is a real single family home and it’s terrific. I wish them the best. Sean from OPaL

[@arthurgreene8799]

I would buy it in order to live in DC. As someone said, you don’t have condo fees on top of your mortgage payment. You also have what is probably more outdoor space than you would get in nearly any condo.

[@BlueSaphire70]

Why would anyone write a negative review of this little gem is beyond me. It's the story of the guy who was given a bunch of lemons and made lemonade with them! He used the bump-out windows to full advantage to where the space doesn't feel cramped. I've seen many, many condos that are less comfortable and way darker than this little house. Not having to pay the outrageously high and inevitable condo fees is the cherry on top!

[@lindaf4968]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@condew6103]

Unlike a condo, this place has windows on every side.

[@Travelin_Gal]

@@BlueSaphire70 sadly, it’s usually because they are miserable people and they “feel better” when they can complain etc.

[@flowermeerkat6827]

The house is more of an in spite of house instead of a spite house. Kudos to the innovation of the owner and builder.

[@anotherchannel589]

This was done surprisingly well. My hats off to this guy. I would prefer this to all the tiny homes with lofts upstairs where you can't even stand up. They are so claustrophobic to me at this stage of my life. This was actually thought out very well. Love the bathroom.. Good build.

[@noele.4361]

I agree this was well done, but I wonder why they didn't build down more? A basement of some sort would have been very complimentary, and could have yielded more space potentially depending on the regulations.

[@priki]

​@@noele.4361 This is so true, a basement would have expanded the home a lot! But he does mention at 5:25 that they couldn't bring heavy equipment in, and they had to do everything by hand - even the structural foundation. Digging out a basement by hand sounds like a nightmare, so I get it why they didn't do it! But my dream is to have a tiny home like this, built on site (as opposed to a tiny house on wheels) , so I think I'm taking your basement idea and applying to my future build! We don't really do basements in my home country (Brazil), so it wasn't on my radar, but that's a great idea for a tiny house like this! ❤️

[@jonchalk3855]

The reason for not have a full height loft on THOWs is because of being towed on highways. The underpasses make it impossible to exceed the height regulations. The house in this video was allotted 20 feet of height, so they maximized it. Twenty feet is too small for 3 stories, but ample for two very high ceilings. Even 6 inch extra on an 8-foot ceiling is noticeable. I have visited many apartments with only 7-foot ceilings. You feel compressed.

[@noele.4361]

@@priki By hand sounds like a major nightmare haha. Would love to see the end product! I love my fully finished basement and it's really added so much value to my single story home.

[@mayiakashmurr3000]

I agree about the claustro feeling of lofts.

[@blessingsoutlaw]

Am glad he and his brother were patient enough to build over a year and a half - this is a GEM in DC!

[@toriladybird511]

A blue diamond 🔹️

[@joleh6077]

I was skeptical at first, but this must be the most spacious narrow tiny house I've seen so far. The bathroom is absolutely massive and plenty of space for relaxing and sleeping. The veranda is used very well and great addition to increase space and light.

[@RamblingRodeo]

Try living in a Travel Trailer/5th wheel or a Motorhome, no different just compact appliances.

[@larrysorenson4789]

The city of Phoenix tried the same crap with me on a 24,000 square foot two story garden office. We went to pull the final permit and some guy said: “Did anyone check with the Parkway Commission. Of course they had not. When they did it became clear that the PROPOSED parkway, if built m, would encroach on our property, reducing out side yard resulting in our building being too close to the proposed property line. They denied us a permit. We were two years into the process. So the judge ruled in our favor, telling the city to pound sand. This was an opportunity! We offered to sell the city 5 feet of our property in exchange for a whole bunch of concessions. We used that money to soundproof the wall adjacent to the parkway. We upgraded all the glass for sound. We put in a beautiful courtyard water feature. And they all lived happily ever after.

[@RamblingRodeo]

It is insane, what lengths cities go to for no other reason.... in this situation he took inspiration from Travel Trailer/5th wheels!

[@msmj9102]

@@larrysorenson4789 how can we see your final product?

[@larrysorenson4789]

@msmj9102 northwest corner of Indian School and the 51 freeway. Two story brick office with round element in the center.

[@ag-om6nr]

A brilliant architect ! A great architect is one who can work with a small space ! Absolutely stunning !

[@feeberizer]

Love seeing someone work within ridiculous constraints to make a very livable space.

[@360.Tapestry]

that's perfectly livable space for a single person or couple with no kids. the limited space actually helps you keep an eye on your accumulation of clutter lol

[@cathyj4053]

Indeed!!!!!!

[@KarMa-ws3ll]

Wow he really thought about every tiny detail. Love the enthusiam of the architect and the house is wonderful.

[@svenswwis436]

no one could have explained the house and its unique dimensions beside this guy or maybe his brother the builder. Very impressive knowledge of the numbers and the cities crazy Alley way building requirements.

[@le_th_]

It was *not* the city who was "crazy". It was the neighbor behind him who tried to stop the land from being sold. When they purchased the land, he then tried to stop them from being able to build on it. That is why the neighbor put all the trash bins right up to the property line, and he probably puts dirty diapers in there to try and smell the place up. That neighbor is a sociopath. He did everything he could to stop the land from being built on so he could have it empty, but the home was built anyway, and it will sell. It's now listed... $553+K 600 sq ft 1 bed 1/1.5 bath No HOA (true freedom rarely found in new builds today) No condo fees (a lifetime of savings right there) Electricity is covered already by the solar panels (plus stored electric because it produces more than needed w/mini split running at 70 degrees) No yard to landscape, mow, water, or leaves to rake (another huge monthly savings) This is perfect for a single professional or professional couple, and even for a representative from another state to have a pied-a-terre in DC. This is a true gem with a LIFETIME of savings built in. Custom designed. Custom build.

[@hughjaass3787]

Homes like this, is why I subscribe to this channel. I ❤ this house

[@SuperDoctorprofessor]

Seriously, I absolutely love when they cover unique properties like this. The eco properties are interesting, but ones like this and the cork-covered LA house are really rememberable and lovely.

[@Hopscotchlemonadespritz]

That space-saving kitchen sink with the integrated cutting board is especially clever and could be utilized anytime, not only this narrow alley home.

[@cynthiarogers2904]

*I LOVE THIS TINY HOUSE !!!* *They did an innovative and masterful job. Both in design and execution.*

[@EssensOrAccidens]

Considering their constraints, it's really nice!

[@whitneylivingston5706]

I was a summer intern at the Smithsonian back in 2006 and I would have loved to have a place like that to live in. What a phenomenal use of space and design!!

[@GeoMeridium]

Unfortunately, even this went for $600k

[@sun1one1]

Now this was a building challenge! Bravo.

[@starshine3588]

Not really a challenge…..places like this are built all over Japan and other countries….it’s nothing new.

[@le_th_]

@@starshine3588 No one said it was "new". These home are all over the US, but current building laws prevent homes this small from being built because they was TAXES on expensive homes. Pay attention. She said it was a challenge, and it was due to the laws here in the US, which...in case you missed this..in NOT Japan.

[@ColonelKlink100]

It's so bright; I love it. I could live in that house.

[@bridgettbirminingham]

The use of space in this build is masterful. He did a great job with this property.

[@pamelag7553]

A truly beautiful, open, bright single bedroom home! If I was working in DC, I'd grab this little gem. The low/no electric bill and that bathroom - wow.

[@Albron1980]

I hope this man’s genius is rewarded as he deserves standing ovation for this beautiful home. I’m so envious of this home that anyone would love to own anywhere in the world.

[@ChillingWithMel22]

He did a great job on this with the amount of space he had to work with!!

[@MrBTRDAYZ]

Growing up, my family never owned our own home. Either we rented a 2 bedroom apartment on a floor of a brownstone, or a 2 bedroom apartment. Humble beginnings have made me able to appreciate modest spaces. I don't need a mansion. As a former architectural student, I've always been fascinated with what a talented architect could achieve with a small space. Therefore, I'm quite impressed with this home and would have no problem living in it back in my Brooklyn NY hometown.

[@carriebradley7634]

I think it's amazing! Absolutely beautiful and built in a brilliant way to make it feel much bigger than it is! I could absolutely live in that and love it! We need to start changing our mind set. It's time for us all to conserve, preserve, downsize, and minimize our footprint anyway, and this house is a way to do that, and still live in comfort and beauty! I'd love to see more homes like this!

[@inthechairwithcloochy8102]

LOVE IT!!! I am a big fan of the Tiny House Movement so this house seems spacious to me!!

[@timewillshowit]

I love how they manage to utilize the space so wisely and not wasted any inch. It is simply perfection ❤

[@Bosslady0202]

He and his brother are geniuses. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@nessapainter]

Just plain BRILLIANT - physical design and aesthetically stunning. Congratulations!!

[@bcooks00]

This is so well designed. Bravo.

[@Bonnie-mc9zo]

We need more men like this that can build in small places, but are sustainable and use minimum space is amazing. I have to say these guys were geniuses.

[@ZH4317]

Wow. Stunning. I would live there happily. Excellent work

[@wintersonnet]

This is brilliant, I would buy it! I love this guys's vision and his passion for this project.

[@svietka202]

as an Israeli designer I am absolutely dumbfounded at how perfectly planned out this house is! The bump out is brilliant and honestly, for young couple, you couldn't ask for more. ❤❤

[@deanrsun8200]

This is an awesome house! Wow to the builders!!!! Def very unique and creative! Blew my mind !

[@lauraatkinson8920]

This guy is amazing a true developer the light in the home amazing wish him all the best 🎉

[@rationalistinanev]

What a great house! That is a great space in the city, the owner and his brother are brilliant.

[@tropical_calm]

I love that one. Not because it seems big but because it has lots of air and sunshine.

[@Fierythefaerie]

I absolutely love this home!!

[@jackwalsh1468]

The bay window portion of this house needs some sort of corner vertical protective post. Otherwise, that protruding portion could be subject to a vehicle impact... Ouch.

[@Razor32061]

yeah one of those concreate filled pipes painted black.

[@paulus.tarsensus]

@@Razor32061 Or actual, proper high-end bollards.

[@paulus.tarsensus]

I was thinking the same thing. Guess I always think of the worst case scenario coming from a construction and development background.

[@jimritter6861]

What about zombie attacks? Nuclear bombs? Gangs of toddlers? (They're the worst). Jk, valid point

[@HLR4th]

With garbage trucks going into the alley to pick up the trash, it is a real risk.

[@anonfornow359]

Very creative. Built-ins make such good use of space.

[@sharoncarty5096]

Life gives you lemon make lemonade. Amazingly beautiful

[@bertvosburg558]

Tall ceilings, lots of natural light and free electric from Mother Earth makes it all livable.

[@microman_mathtiiaasrosen]

I'm smiling the whole video through......!!!!

[@emmahardesty4330]

Great design. Very appealing. As much house as most of us really need.

[@beaterose3759]

Absolutely stunning! Design and Spacing 100%. YES, YES, YES on the Juliet balcony.

[@philiq18]

That was surprising. I didn't expect the house to be so open despite the limitations. It's clearly well-thought-out. Kudos to him and his brother. The space works, and I'd go as far as saying better than most condominiums in Toronto, for example.

[@claudettefolsom1509]

Love the idea Saves space, land,time! Small narrow Unique🎉Way to Go❤

[@LPRECIADO94]

I think it’s beautiful and if I could, I would live in it. So much thought was put into it. 🥰

[@keepitupwiththekarens]

as someone who likes to live in small space, this is so perfect

[@hopefully2224]

I thought this was going to be awful but it’s cool!

[@ontheridge2019]

I could live in this home! Wow! Very use full space! Looks larger than it is.

[@seanohelan8241]

Well done sir!! Original! Exquisitely finished!

[@maegardnermills4292]

Amazingly functional for a family. Thank you for sharing.

[@TorontoNeurospicyGirl]

This house turned out amazing! you really worked miracles with the space you had! I would want a 3rd floor deck! Also, 2 other ways to maximize storage: Some of the stairs can have pull-out drawers to store shoes and the upstairs hallway, right under the long window you can put those skinny Ikea verticle shoe cabinets from the hemnes line that i see people storring sheets and towells in as well as bags and purses, and other stuff. The current patio can have a fold down table afixed to the fence and even a foot wide bench with storage inside for all the outdoor stuff.

[@Trgn]

Quite a hidden little luxury of a house actually. Very clever design to make it livable without sacrificing comfort like most tiny houses.

[@borist7278]

Such a clever use of space!

[@NEIL-CURCIO]

they did an amazing job given the circumstances

[@phylliscraine]

The fence system outside this house looks like it’s from Hoft a Canadian company that sells posts and you can slide in between the posts whatever wood you might like for your rails. We have Hoft at our house, it’s a really great looking cost-effective DIY fencing solution and it’s s lot of fun to install. Available at Lowe’s.

[@lieaorganasolo]

You should be paid for this Commercial. Def going to look into it

[@davidmims6790]

I wonder if they worry about cars accidentally going down the alleys and running into the house? It's such a a neat home! Love it!!!

[@1812over]

Extraordinarily well done!!

[@mauricepowers3804]

This is a really beautiful house. However that outside door on the second floor, you really should have put in a window that you could actually open to get air flow!

[@lakeportlighter]

I know right, a door you cant even open seems so unpractical.

[@greatboniwanker]

I was thinking an 'open in' door for the same reason.

[@tonylarose4842]

@@lakeportlighter unless they get a deck in the future.

[@m_starseed]

​@tonylarose4842 if they next owners decide to get a deck in the future they can add a door. In the meantime, a window would be a much better option.

[@stuartsutherland7664]

A way to get the washing machine and tumble dryer up to the second floor.

[@jackson_235]

Wow, Just Love this Tiny House, i think he is a Filipino ....

[@marykimberlyhayes]

Hang a nice picture over the electrical panel. In NY that would be considered a palatial Palace. Perfect for your needs and energy efficient. Great Lock n' Leave or an Air B & B.

[@le_th_]

Palatial palace? Isn't that redundant? lol As a former Manhattanite, I could not agree more, actually. That is almost palatial by Manhattan standards. It's listed at $573+K for 600 sq ft. No HOA or maintenance fees. No electric bill. No yard to landscape, mow, water, or leaves to rake. No pet rent, breed restrictions, or pet deposit. For the right buyer, this is a rare find and a gem, esp. for new custom build, custom design.

[@laiten35]

I LOVE this house!

[@ojosrayados786]

Wooow How much I love it this tiny perfect house 👌

[@tksc154]

Well done project, despite the challenges put forth by the city!!

[@Davidsweirdness]

They did an amazing job fleshing this building out the one thing i didnt like was a that its a 1 bedroom but they did everything they could! Amazing

[@jonchalk3855]

Well done house. Inspired by a fifth weel, but longer and taller. The quantity of windows makes a big difference in perception of space and lighting. The patio is small, but long. The master bathroom is much bigger than the one in my house. Better layout too.

[@le_th_]

Longer, much taller, wall to wall windows, and on a foundation connected to city utilities but powered nentirely by solar so no electric bill in a climate that requires full AC May to September and full heating from November to April. The real deal here are the not-so-obvious lifetime of savings... no electric bill ever is a hot/humid climate no HOA no condo fees no pet rent, breed restrictions, or pet deposit (HOA, condos, and apartments all have those) no yard to landscape ($$$), water, mow, or leaves to rake All those MISSING monthly fees add up to a lifetime of savings. This is condo convenience without any of the fees, limitations, and restrictions.

[@lemonaut1]

constraints breed innovation!

[@lelaniecoetzee1665]

Beautifull, look very spacious. Great job. Love his positivity.

[@wkwong80]

Very cool Nady!

[@babeage]

Brilliantly designed! Creativity at its best.

[@johngrimble3050]

Surprisingly livable!

[@eltamarindo]

If you look at the video at 13:29, you might notice that the neighboring property already had excavated down a story below grade and had built a retaining wall all the way up to the property line.

[@pepperpepperpepper]

Imagine living below grade and a two-story wall goes up right next door. I hope it's a renter who can move.

[@le_th_]

@@pepperpepperpepper That wall was there BEFORE the build ever began. Go back and re-watch the video and you'll see photos of the EMPTY space before the build began and the wall is right there all along. Their fencing covers most all of it.

[@Jazna1]

It's a modern shotgun house! Very appealing and looks great from the outside, even better inside. Nicely done!

[@janesmith9024]

It is really well done - how clever. The cutting board etc over sink is a lovely touch.

[@nell_gr]

Fantastic! I love it.

[@CGC1954]

I love it. Amazing construction. Perfect for 2 people

[@zx5218]

Kristin... You did it again ! This one is superb and very interesting as I have come to expect from you! I always find myself waiting for your next video. The house is a brilliant adaptation for this lot. Nady and his brother seem wonderfully creative. Since I can't climb stairs I would love to see what he could do with a similar lot developing a one story for people like me. Again Kristin you really outdid yourself with this "find" Thanks :)

[@juliaha4934]

Coolest skinney home ever. Very livable. Genius.

[@Kimberley_Black_White_TV]

This was SO interesting!!

[@DW94576]

This is a super impressive build! Well done!

[@kirstendirksen]

Crazy he had to submit 24 different plans to get something improved.

[@DW94576]

@@kirstendirksen insane! I really admire his resilience!

[@paulus.tarsensus]

@@kirstendirksen Building departments often make you jump through hoops...until they realize you are serious and cannot find any more reasons to be complete wankers about things. A lot of folks - particularly those with limited funding and time - simply give up. Zoning is important, but you would be quite surprised at all the dime-store generalissimos who pick and pick at things trying to satisfy their own egos in the process. They often strain at gnats and swallow camels, leaving you to wonder if some of the things they actually allowed others to do might have been because of undue influence, 'connexions' or 'monetary lubrication outside of normal channels'. This also depends on the person who is doing the zoning reviews. Personality comes into play way too often, it seems.

[@cmaranatha9890]

Adorable and ingenious house! Love it!

[@Kaisersozze]

Actually pretty good. I like the color of the exterior as well.

[@tater4ever]

I think what they have done with it is amazing . I would love in this .

[@Barbara-u5h]

Love this! DC land and property is expensive. Hope this beautiful home was put into a safe neighborhood! Congratulations!

[@essieessie5399]

Bars on windows? Doesn't appear to be a safe neighborhood

[@le_th_]

@@essieessie5399 In a floor level ALLEY that seems like basic common sense. This is URBAN living, not Oz. The number of psychopaths, alone, living in DC makes people put bars on their ground level windows. They get bored easily. A bored psychopath is never a good thing. In an urban environment, you do not ever want to be alone in an alleyway. It's just not wise in the least.

[@wallywoman1950]

Beautifully done

[@Godsgirl818]

And it’s very well thought out beautiful home

[@SF-ru3lp]

Fabulous. Thank you for showing it Kristen. G Ire

[@deeprollingriver52]

What a quaint place! Great job!

[@queendee8656]

This is beautiful wow he build a beautiful tiny house 🏡

[@robertshrewsbury5067]

Enjoyed the creativity. Thanks.

[@danielocegueda4399]

I love this house. It’s giving me inspiration. 💛

[@lisettegarvin5030]

Wow, well thought out. Beautiful!!

[@tiferetyisrael51]

Absolutely stunning💕

[@sarashain9884]

Ingenious use of limitations!

[@sandymcqueen4930]

This man is amazing 👍❤️🙏💯 . Great solution for homelessness