Design Architecture Skinny Makeover Lights Up 7-Foot Wide House By Kimberley Mok Writer McGill University Cornell University Kimberley Mok is a former architect who covered architecture and the arts for Treehugger since 2007. our editorial process Twitter Twitter Kimberley Mok Updated October 11, 2018 ©. Alma-nac Share Twitter Pinterest Email Design Tiny Homes Architecture Interior Design Green Design Urban Design © Alma-nac We've covered more than a few skinny houses before, noting that they're one way to achieve higher urban densities while still allowing families to have a house to call their own, and if renovated right, could present significant savings in energy consumption. © Alma-nacBritish architects Alma-nac redid this cramped and dingy terraced house in St John's Hill, Clapham, London, that measures only 2.3 metres (7.5 feet) wide -- built over what was once a lane between two houses. © Alma-nac To bring natural daylighting to the center of the house, the designers added an extension of space to the house's rear, and staggered the three floors underneath a sloping roof. The distinctive roof is punctuated with big skylights to let light in, thus creating an effective light-well. Similarly, the stairwell to the upper floors is flooded with light from above, and the skylights can be opened to create a stack effect to naturally ventilate the house. The extension at the back, hidden from the skinny building's unassuming front, meant that a more spacious dining area, a lead-out to the garden, extra bedroom and study could be added. © Alma-nac © Alma-nac © Alma-nac © Alma-nac The continuously running slate roof is a nice, longer-lasting touch as well, compared to petroleum-based conventional roofing products. Inside, interior storage was also carefully reorganized, say the architects on Dezeen: A key consideration was storage space and every corner of the property has been utilised, from the bed-head with integrated storage, loft space over the top bedroom and compact bathroom layouts. The elongated form of the main bedroom at first floor level allowed for the creation of a dressing room area so that the bedroom space remains uncluttered of furniture. The design of the roof build-up ensured the minimum depth (250mm) in order to maximise the space internally and achieving a high U-value (0.14 W/m2K) [coefficient of heat transmission]. © Alma-nac © Alma-nac More over at Dezeen and Alma-nac.