Skinny house in LA: affordable, minimal, modern home/office

Simon Storey wanted to buy an affordable home so he bought the smallest and cheapest thing on the market. It was just 350 square feet and Storey wanted to fit both his home and office there so he requested special planning permission to double the height.
He has now squeezed 960 square feet on his 780 square foot lot (garage included) and has one of Los Angeles' skinniest homes. Storey calls it the Eel's Nest in reference to the super narrow lots in Japan (between 5 and 15 feet).
Storey kept the design a simple stack of boxes that reach the property line on three sides. Inside, he left it as open as possible, using small tricks to maximize space, like a sunken kitchen (that helps to define spaces) and floating stairs (that double as a light well).
Most of the furniture was hand-crafted by Storey, including wooden speakers. He has plans to outfit his dining table with wheels so he can make space for dinner parties by wheeling it out to his small backyard deck.
Cameraman Johnny Sanphillippo also films for the site Strong Towns: www.strongtowns.org/
More from Simon, including roof photos: anonymousarchitects.com/ArchPr...
Original story here: faircompanies.com/videos/view/...

[@kirstendirksen]

There is a roof garden/deck. Due to camera trouble, the footage was ruined, but there are olive trees and plants and some decking up there. If you want to see photos of it go to the link in the text above.

[@diana.nikolova7383]

I love it. Two bedrooms, garage, living room and kitchen plus garden in such a tiny space. I am amazed.

[@treehouseinparadise5563]

15' wide isn't so bad. Most people expect so much out of a house these days. Many people grew up in 2/3 bedroom, 1 bath houses that had one living space around 12 x 15/16. and even owned a piano. We all just made it work. This is really a nice use of a tiny lot.

[@cynnamon28]

In LA, the houses are far more expensive. This was a steal at $120k... good job. I like it.

[@cali3431]

Even in low income areas, you'll be looking to pay around 350-450K for a damn house.

[@steinzky7736]

+Cali with 1-2 bedrooms -.-

[@idellekell]

I'm pretty sure 120k was just his renovation budget. That was the amount he spent AFTER purchasing the house.

[@mmatih22]

Yes he said his budget to add the upper floors was120k

[@raraybarrette]

pop

[@protectoshell6540]

This is possibly the most relaxed homeowner I've heard in some time.

[@rpvitiello]

This looks like a typical size house on the east coast in ny, nj, pa etc... The only unusual thing about it, is it doesn't have hundreds of similar houses around it.

[@azely6353]

I would have Closed the garden space and made it a semi open extension of the living room with tilted glass panels , a small fraction of that space could still be open, like an inverted plant cage,we're in the cage and the little plant in the corner is actually outside . Loved what he did with the stairs and how he customized almost every appliance/shelving, the house still feels warm thanks to all the wooding.

[@Barnesi94]

i mean its a pretty big house to be fair. not that skinny- much wider than most terrace houses

[@JalaKamal]

Barnesi94

[@priscillakelly5443]

where is this located?

[@mrsjennifersteele]

Barnesi94 I know right?! Its not a tiny house but an actual 3 story. I don't personally see him only spending 120k in building it at all . labor, materials and permits alone in Los Angeles is expensive.

[@toreyfusky]

its 3 shoeboxes stacked. you cant keep cramming ppl in these small places

[@kazoosc]

@@toreyfusky 640 sq.ft. of habitable space is small compared to the American average .. but is perfectly reasonable for his needs

[@rmbarnes672]

After looking at hundreds of tiny and 'smaller' home builds this one is near my favorite. Go to the link above for more description, floor plan, great photos and the amazing finished roof. This house is small, but the kitchen, shower, bedroom and appliances are not mini. Also there is access to the garage without going outside. Nice. And for the people below that were concerned about it, the bedroom has curtains))

[@klyfe3360]

How does he access the roof

[@florisjansen5576]

Meanwhile in The Netherlands, half the country is living in rowhouses this size. With families and all working from home... Completely normal.

[@khymaaren]

Checking in from London. Somewhat the same here with our townhouses.

[@LucasFernandez-fk8se]

This isn’t big enough to live in though. Look how tiny it is! I don’t even see a closet downstairs and I haven’t gotten to upstairs in the video yet

[@scottellis1292]

Fuck the Netherlands!

[@urbanaturalcalifornia8094]

I love all the fair companies videos!!! I actually was in LA and randomly ran into this block and found this house! it was so surreal!!! This is exactly the kind of intelligent, thoughtful living space I wish to build and design! Thank you for all the quality content!

[@Elvistebien]

I would put a deck on the roof and make that an additional living space. Nice house I love it.

[@royayassai6692]

I said the very same thing...maybe a spa or bbq on the roof top terrace...additional the bottom patio, sloped area to the barren side of the avocado tree has room for a vertical water feature, or bamboo, but I love the avocado tree...

[@KrohnosOW]

Always depends on neighborhood and/or county regulations!

[@jameswarhol442]

The staircase leading to a roof deck would cut into bedroom or office space so I guess that's why he decided against it. Possibly cost and building code considerations were factors as well.

[@irinacamilleri5818]

I think there is one already. There are plants on the roof.

[@nextdevelopments8833]

@@jameswarhol442 check out the link in the description. Go to his site and look at the photos of the roof deck. Not sure why it's missing from the vid...

[@janlenders8704]

It's amazing that in the US this is a being seen as a 'different' and 'small' 'design'-house, while in Europe we think this is pretty normal size- and designwise...

[@HomesteadingWays]

We have more room for bigger houses here especially outside of the dense cities. Be that as it may, an average sized house in the midwest (city or not) is about 1,200 sq ft.

[@janlenders8704]

@@HomesteadingWays I know, I live in the US half of the year (Pittsburgh) and have a house in Florida too...

[@vivianloney8826]

It makes a lot of sense that's how these cultures differ. The US has only run into the density issues cities face the past 100 years, with the only outlier being New York City for 150 years. But that pales in comparison to the several centuries many European cities have faced the same issues. Affects how cultures responds to industrialization.

[@crimsonwhispers5053]

I love the idea of small homes because they are not only enough if u want simplicity but also more cost effective as well & in the future i would love to build a small home like this because i think it would be so much better to do

[@DeliaLRuiz]

Cost effective is the reason for change, and natural organic design.

[@marcusfiniosse1477]

oh,wow...i have always wanted to see more of this house. I'm such a fan of it. been saving pictures of it from the internet and apps. i just adore it even more now than ever . great work Simon.

[@4BWVan]

I really like the possibilities this house represents, and that the architect/homeowner was willing to defy convention at times. The space reflects him and his desires. Also thank you for the link to the roof photos -- I was intensely curious about it.

[@carsonrobinson9569]

I wish it was painted whit so id look like a nintendo wii

[@1javixD]

carson robinson lol

[@bossHogOG]

Yeah he blocks the view and then puts no windows on the side of the house that has the view. What a moron.

[@dalefraser9771]

@@bossHogOG If you had watched the video you'd know that he can't put windows on the side of the house.

[@wercone]

I love this house. From the outside to the inside. Amazing view right down the street. But the whole time I was waiting to see the roof!

[@TheRawBabe]

Nice color block👍 dark grey, light grey, orange!

[@agentm83]

Laneway houses are a thing here in Vancouver. We need more like that. I like this house aside from the black paint job.

[@ValeryCrickets]

Me, my husband and our cat live, in the north of Italy, in a 270 square feet apartment, without balcony and for sleep we have sofa bed (and when we will have kids we will have to move to a bigger apartment) so this "tiny" apartment with TREES ON THE TERRACE show in the video is GIGANTIC. O_O

[@fergonza2362]

Sticazzi

[@mygameislagging3947]

Hope you have moved to a nice big house by now.. I wish your family a very happy life🥰🥰

[@ididnotkilljfk861]

hang on 15ft wide houses , not really THAT unique, here in the UK we've been doing it for at least the last 150 years, ...there called victorian terraced houses, 2 rooms upstairs 2 rooms downstairs and originally an outside toilet approx footprint 225sq ft !

[@KiloByte69]

It's unique to Americans because we've been enjoying larger spaces. Frankly, I hope this nonsense stays in Europe.

[@empte]

Then don't buy one. Compact footprints mean people are closer to amenities, and for a lot of us that's more important than the waste of space that most US cities are.

[@MarioGarcia-lw5ss]

I’m considering doing this type of projects in Long Beach CA a lot of tiny lots are sold under $170k per lot some as low as $120k investing and built homes like this truly brings value to the neighborhood and your home 🏠

[@deeannemason7003]

Not cramped and far from a “simple box”! Beautiful place. Nice work!

[@SuperMaccoi]

I really like the design of this house... the big windows, the small pocket...etc. so minimalist.

[@MariaLopez-dq8rn]

Lovely home! The view at top is amazing! And I love how the pics show the skylight in the shower so warm and welcoming ☀️

[@airvilleleenmae]

My husband and I bought a small beach front property in the Philippines and I've been watching videos for some ideas, I am thinking to build our little house this year so this channel really is a big help for me.

[@mwmentor]

I really like this house... simple layout, clean design and bunches of neat tweaks, like the window-doors, the self-designed dimmer-switch, etc. Really cool :)

[@RoamingRyNo]

Decking on the roof was great. Want to build one myself now. Using the shipping container's & Concrete garage/foundation idea. Thanks Kirsten for all of your videos!

[@primasalmon2239]

Backyard wins... perfect house 👏

[@richmond833]

That window view is amazing!!!!

[@wishlizz]

Anything is possible. Amazing Simon.

[@MuraD4x4]

Nice and cozy! I liked that backyard with live trees and grass are still there. Good job! Thanks for video Kirsten!

[@ollieplaybird]

I love it. The outdoor space is beautiful too.

[@Hauler24]

LA really needs to start thinking of making small apartments to help with the cost of renting out here. It's getting so high for crap.

[@KiloByte69]

How about stop proving sanctuary to illegals? Lower demand on housing = lower prices.

[@foxycockvideos]

i agree, fuck xenophobic bullshit..the real enemy is exxon kook in charge of the EPA, sexual assaulter president, bad music on the radio, that "thunder...feel the thunder...lightning..and the thunder.....abcdefghijklmnop" song...like I'm supposed to hear this shit and go "oh my god...my life is changed for the better" and then see it in an iphone commercial the next week...what else....everything but illegal immigration bullshit...I welcome everyone to this country stolen from native americans and made strong on the backs of slaves and immigrants...I'm irish...110 years ago it was me...so fuck the haters.....my wave...my state...no one is illegal....borders are imaginary josh singer in the band blade of grass fuck you trump! eat a d_ck! (duck)

[@bradhargis2261]

@@foxycockvideos your logic is the exact reason most big cities in california are slowly becoming communist dystopias. You ever wonder why millions are fleeing your shithole state? Look at the state of San Francisco.. it won't be long til LA is the same, San Diego isnt far behind. Your uneducated policies based in feelings instead of facts are slowly rotting your state away from the inside out. California has become a like a cavity to the USA. Its rotting away in self indulgent echo chamber factless logic where feelings and being offended are a commodity. No responsibilities, it's never your fault for why your state sucks now. You look at the country and its actual citizens as enemies against your little fantasy land. You need to pull your head out of your ass, put down your phone and get a taste of actual reality before it's too late.

[@Abel-Alvarez]

@@foxycockvideos You need jesus.

[@Abel-Alvarez]

@@bradhargis2261 So do you.

[@hazonku]

The way he maximized that space is actually really impressive. I love the idea he had for his stairs.

[@dbiswas]

Very nice design. Love ur design.

[@wwShadow7]

5:30 I love the floating stairs.

[@ShannonDeVoe]

I am ADDICTED to these tiny homes:concept. I 'jokingly' with a touch of serious asked if I could have a shipping container for a house on my parents property and my Dad was like 'No' but you can have the shed and I was like 'ooh bed loft' :) So thanks again for your lovely videos Ms. Kirsten Dirksen! The homes are truly crafted with love and the people and their stories are generally sweet altogether too! Shannon

[@ProboHindarto]

This is very helpful, as an architect i often design for small spaces for instance 36m2. Also for kirstendirksen, if it's possible I would really appreciate if there are two measurement system, metric and international maybe as an additional inforrmation for us to imagine the size

[@BobbinMcferry]

Metric IS international. Imagine harder.

[@ricardosanfernando7378]

@@BobbinMcferry Yes, you are so right. Metric is international. That´s why when you talk about yards, feet, inches, etc; you should put those measurements into metric units so we, the rest of the world could undesrtand. Please

[@BobbinMcferry]

@@ricardosanfernando7378 what drugs are you on, and where can I get some?

[@ricardosanfernando7378]

@@BobbinMcferry why? Jaja Only because I said that you are right?

[@BobbinMcferry]

@avan job about 4 of them if they don't sit or lay down.

[@aquarius1128]

I love it! I'm crazy about the view. Lots of these types of homes in the five boroughs of New York

[@trayahzz537]

Fantastic living space, great use and design, just not the dimmer light, I would just bump into it and knock it off. This is the type of place I would love to have. But not crazy about the neighborhood.

[@trayahzz537]

nope, never cross my mind...

[@KlunkerRider]

I remember this house being covered in a story in the LA Times, it is an interesting little puzzle box. There are still thousands of small homes and bungalows around the city, especially in the hillside areas, so lots just like this are not uncommon, its just that many people cannot fathom living in something this compact so they buy multiple lots and build McMansions, its refreshing to see something like this that actually works on the original lot

[@HomesteadingWays]

I normally don't like box type houses, but this one is attractive both outside and in. I really like it!

[@bloopblooper490]

A favourite. Great urban design. Love it.

[@dchurch2012]

Great living space! Going up is definitely the answer.

[@Dogsnark]

I love this - I could live here very happily.

[@roniurbelo]

Beautiful, well done. I would live there perfectly. Is so well designed, looks so cozy. It has a garage and garden, perfect for the city. I love it !!!!

[@sixdsix5028]

Reminds me of a modern Japanese house on the outside. I dig it.

[@lomolove1]

this is great, I actually had to do a precedent study on this home for my live/work project in school :D

[@dynaco]

Very nice. I love the long views up the street & the sunken kitchen.

[@ricardosanfernando7378]

I always say that open plan is overrated but in the case of that house it makes sense and that step down and the hidden kitchen island make the difference in the good sense. Quite a great idea. My problem would be the floating tread stairs: most people need risers because of the vertigo. Mi sisters couldn´t go up. At least a metal net or something to lessen the void sensation. I own an open plan house with 280m2 but moved into an 50m2 because I feel better in a smaller place now.

[@rozchristopherson648]

Very nice. Love the iron fence/gate across the outside doors.

[@coltsuperocean10]

..I love this place. The look is very 1960/1970 Scandinavian. Good work fella. Good design.

[@sherry866]

Absolutely LOVELY !!!! PERFECT TO THE " T "

[@johnnymeyer4253]

I LOVE this home, it's so neat and perfect for 1.

[@MrLiverpoolsky]

I am just amazed why they did not show the roof. I have checked the website and it turned out that there is a staircase leading to the roof and it is awesome up there with the trees and wooden floor and a bench. Simply love it!!!

[@TheDtfamu89]

It takes an architect to make something like this work with a limited budget and a limited space and have it still be functional and aesthetically pleasing.

[@lexic6081]

I'm sold! I've lived in L.A. my entire life and I've always thought that home ownership was something so far reaching. But this feels like something actually attainable, and I love the space. As a single woman it's just the amount of space I'd need, well except for a bigger closet. lol

[@stylz1]

He did a fantastic job with that space.

[@Burps___]

Finally, a small house I would love! Gorgeous, Simon. Only an architect could come up with something windowless on the sides, yet so glassy and light from the front. For a shoe "cubby" in the kitchen, couldn't you remove the board on the raised floor and tuck them under? I think this house should be how we all live in the future (except the elderly, who can't do the stairs). Bravo! Another spectacular Kirsten film, too.

[@KerrieRedgate]

A lovely build. Nice use of space. My inner Sydney loft apartment is only 13 feet wide (4 meters), so this house looks fine to me! Love that little courtyard at the back. It's great to have an outside space with a bit of nature when you are in a small space. (I have an open deck - saves me!). The design is very smart on the outside as well. Clever wooden windows with that railing. We may all need to learn to downsize as people have done in a crowded Europe for centuries, we may all need to have smaller footprints. Love it! Not Living Large, Living Smart.

[@MikeKnoxComedy]

that view down the street-nice

[@Charlottewv]

Really neat house, love it!!

[@hoishingfung9477]

I like the little garden, stairs and sky window .The apartment elegant quarters

[@princessadora]

I love the light above the shower! I think i'll do a complete skylight above mine now! I think these really modern buildings are a bit too much though (over designed) if I do something similar I think i'd have to bring in traditional windows (art deco perhaps) just as a traditional house looks great with very modern windows and paint finish. it's about balance.

[@AeminiumPT]

Very interesting project. the nicest work always comes from budget builds

[@leelondonn1345]

This house is like 5x bigger than my tiny apartment it's so big

[@t.yevettedewitt1458]

my apartment also the downstairs section is my entire apartment a lot bigger with the garden

[@rosemarywilliams9969]

Aaliyah Canterbury rich people 😊

[@robinhood7874]

SAME

[@moisesbeyond]

LOL....my one is around 1600 sq ft, I am selling it 85,000 dollars

[@caroleaster5952]

This place is fanrtastic. Great work.

[@hallymariah45]

BRAVO!!! You are a God given artist!!!

[@maureenkelly738]

Very well thought out. I’m glad the owner is pleased with his design. I wonder if he can use the roof as a observation deck/ entertainment space, or if the building code will not support it.

[@miraramadan1459]

Super creativee !! Love it..

[@terrimabrey93]

Really great ideas! You are awesome!

[@blobbyblob2573]

My apartment view from our dinning room looks down the cobbled street, the front overlooks the harbour. Yours for a million 😂

[@thammyvo8559]

Good job. Pretty inspirational!

[@dothedeed]

Wow it looks beautiful - really like the wood.

[@bunnymad5049]

Wow! Absolutely awesome. I doubted the kitchen till I actually saw the drop down. Brilliant design - especially with the heating being able to come through the "wall". If you lived here in NZ (still? You sound Kiwi!), hubby and I would ask you to design something for us. Sheer brilliance. Thank you for sharing your home.

[@211scooter]

Love this house!!

[@Sheilamaizi]

I love it!! Have you seen all the small homes that are on wheels that people are building? You have a castle!!!!

[@Kust0r]

His space is rational but quite personal too. This is a wondeful example of how requirements shapes the actual object.

[@lehnhardtdevonek.8479]

I want a box like this to live in!

[@waddapyoh]

That view is awesome...

[@momkatmax]

True! Depends on the time frame. Back in the 1950's housing boom in the States a 700-800 square foot home was a fantastic starter home for the GI with the young family of four. The home I inherited where I grew up is 800 sq feet with three bedrooms, one bath. Later in the century that was seen as a funny, tiny home and impossible to sell. 2013 there is a rise in interest for the same reasons as before: great starter home, low rates, great garden area too.

[@omfgdelaney]

This house is amazing!

[@momkatmax]

That yard really pays off for the children. Great exercise and learn about nature.

[@pfpbilltown7919]

I could easily live in this wonderful space. Thanks.

[@Giondenver]

I like the house a lot !! Great use of space but my only dislike is those massive windows .. I would like to have 3 narrow windows that actually open for fresh air . Great idea and love the concept .

[@edheldude]

Giovanni Berardinelli Fresh air in Los Angeles?

[@goldo1107]

***** LOL

[@Rudenbehr]

+edheldude lol. I smelled the rancid right when I got off the plane xP.

[@namanh]

love your video , keep up the good work . thank you

[@mercedbermudez390]

Amazing job!

[@Ndo01]

i liked the balcony idea

[@JE-tn5tc]

It reminds me of a house that I saw on Grand Designs. Nice job.

[@ipwnnoobssohard]

I love the windows and the bathroom.

[@RedDragon45]

my fave video/house on this channel

[@magicfordummiez3382]

It's so charming.

[@ralevdotcom]

What about the trees on the roof ? :)

[@Glo0206]

Love house building up, I would probably add a modern Japanese steps, it'll add more room

[@BricoinNovo]

me habría encantado ver el jardín de la azotea... La casa es preciosa. Cada dia veo mas ejemplos de luz natural para el espacio de la ducha, simplemente genial.

[@Kedda486]

I love your idea I have a small 2 bed room that looks like crap. thanks for the idea

[@joanntukes5878]

It really didn't seem so tiny. Nice!!

[@cannesberges5870]

such a chic simple house...i love it! totally my style.