Perhaps that’s why Jakub Szczęsny designed this hermitage, this “studio for invited guests – young creators and intellectualists from all over the world.”- it will drive them completely crazy.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea of living in small spaces. I write about them all the time. But the Keret House is 122 cm (48.031″) at its widest, 72 (28.34″) at its narrowest. I know people wider than that.

I will admit that it has some clever attributes; I like the way the stair pulls up and the treads go flat so that you can use it as living space. It does use space efficiently. But it only has two dinky windows and an even dinkier skylight, for no discernible reason. It’s like living in a squished ping pong ball.

Jakub Szczęsny would be an architectural hero in Flatland, but here in Spaceland, it is nice not to have to walk sideways. More images at Archdaily and an interesting take from Robert Krulwich on NPR.

By Lloyd Alter.

Images via Centrala
Other unusual home work spaces:
1. Cargo Container Backyard Studio

2. Treehouse

3. Concrete Tube’s Turned into Living Spaces