Burton Architecture A prefab micro-apartment project was recently completed in San Francisco: http://www.smartspace.net/locations/soma/
Not quite the same scale as the one you featured, but very interesting. The units are about 270SF but feel surprisingly spacious.

John Hill Burton Architecture - There's a brief mention of that project in the Making Room exhibition mentioned above. I'll have much more on that on Houzz soon.

stevehorn The construction seems somewhat similar to the Hilton Palacio Del Rio on San Antonio's Riverwalk. From what I remember it was built in record time, and was assembled from modular units.

sfnest Doesn't that hallway next to the bathroom and kitchen seem like a waste of space? If I lived in one, I'd be looking for ways to use that space productively. It reminds me of the old San Francisco railroad flats - those long hallways can really eat up your square footage.

John Hill sfnest - That's one reason that my idea (in the 220 link within the Ideabook) turned the unit 90 degrees relative to the exterior. There is a little less of circulation to get from the front door to the living area. Even the micro-unit plan (below) that was part of the July 2012 announcement had that issue. They show some storage at the kitchen, but accessibility negates anything by the bathroom.

sammycat Just to live in NYC. They can have it. Pack em in like rats.

GrandProjects Very interesting. Actually, the area is not that "micro" compared to the apartments in HK and probably Japan too. Very innovative. I like the canvas and tool box idea!

vee22 Sammycat (I have a Siamese cat named Sammy by the way) I totally agree, you couldn't get me to live in NYC much less in one of those over sized coffins! Herd them like cattle, that's the way!

comicbooklady my cousin's daughter lives in a shipping container converted to apartments in Amsterdam while she is going to university there.

dreambee A lot of people here in Manhattan are going to be really excited about this! I think the idea is wonderful and certainly the ceiling height and Juliette balcony windows are a nice feature! And the amenities are fabulous for small units in NYC!

torontojeff One of the markets for micro-apartments in large cities that never seems to get mentioned, are the business execs who rather live out of state where their money goes much further. These are a good alternative to mon-friday hotels or 4 hour commutes. This would be perfect for home away from home.

vhershfield I saw the design on tv with furnishings it was amazing what could be done creatively.

olldroo John, as you age you will understand why apartments like this are definitely NOT for older people. Sadly the older one gets the more vertically challenged one becomes so high shelving, storage and sleeping lofts totally impracticable as is minimalist furniture.

astraea And as soon as they become popular, the rents will skyrocket, or the tenants will decide to turn the place co-op! That's a very convenient & popular neighborhood.

suzlanuz I love this idea! I have a son that lives in manhattan and his incredible temporary living opportunity is coming to an end this April...I only wish this would be done by then!!

dennisl50 This new group of yuppies have enuff hang ups put them in a 10 x 20 box and they'll be the next postal group. This is just another way for NYC to squeeze more tax dollars out of its real estate market. Maybe the homeless could give some good ideas, they've been living in washer and dryer boxes for years.

Martha Jordan Maybe I'll make it out of Alabama and to New York in my next life afterall .....:) Brilliance!

astraea Just realized there's all of 1 closet for everything .. off-season clothes, coats & guests' coats?! How many older people would feel like rearranging furniture twice a day .. Murphy bed, pull-down dining counter? And with limited storage, you probably have to grocery shop almost every day.

Anita Roll Murals Affordable housing is always a plus. Hopefully these unit prices will stay that way. Great for the city.

empresslockness What would be even better? Make the units out of recycled shipping containers. But that would be too much like right.

Dressing the Home Regarding storage, I see 2 things to do immediately. First, eliminate the stacked cubicles/shelving units in the living area, making closets with doors for both hanging clothes and interior shelves above for folded clothing in one and storage for the vacuum, broom and mop with shelving above for cleaning supplies in the other and second, add a long coat rack (board with pegs or hooks) on the entry wall for hanging coats. If displaying decorative items is desired, leave an open section above the closets (the ceilings are 9' H). There is also a small space at the entry next to the door for a shallow console table with a lamp or bookcase.

wtparker i want one!

donnatu This is a great idea and I hope more cities follow it. It would end the hassle of commuting for so many working young people.

John Hill torontojeff - That makes sense in theory, but it does little to address the shortage of apartments for singles and couples the make up 20% of the city's population.

vhershfield - The design you saw on TV, if it's what I'm thinking it is (full-scale mock-up) is not directly related to the "My Micro NY" design. Yes, it does give ideas for making space flexible and efficient through the design of furnishings (it is set up by a furniture company after all), but the floor plan is not the same. I'll have more on that mock-up and the rest of the Making Room exhibition soon, which should help clarify things (I'm amazed how many press outlets are making these mistakes).

olldroo - Granted, the high storage is not ideal for the "vertically challenged," but that hardly discounts the appropriateness of small apartments for older folks. If anything it points to the winning scheme's preference for younger people; look at who's in the interior rendering, after all.

stargazer51 When I was married the first time (mid 1970's), we lived in a 625 sf, 2 bedroom house for 3-4 years. It helped that it was on 5 acres but it had everything, even a laundry area by the kitchen door. We tried and tried to get the owners to sell it to us but they wouldn't.

sophiakh I am glad to see the finally in a realistic way, for those of you who do not like them, they are not built for you, so don't worry.

Amanda Simons Wow city life is not for me. I admire folks who can live comfortably like this. I'm way too claustrophobic and I need green to look at. Is this considered economical housing in the city? My mortgage is only $30 more than these tiny spaces and I have a 2500 sf house on 3.5 acres! Thanks John for this glimpse of another lifestyle... makes you think.

Amanda Simons Ok, so I know that earthquakes aren't a huge threat in this area, but hypothetically, how would this building hold up since it's basically snapped together like Legos with no structural frame?

John Hill Amanda - For reference, the average rent for an apartment in Manhattan is $4,000/month. For studios it's $2,400.

And regarding the structure, even without the seismic codes of California, just about any place has codes to deal with lateral forces (wind). I can only guess, since I haven't seen documentation beyond the 6 images here. First, I'd say there is probably a core (elevators, stairs, mechanical risers) with an independent structure, most likely concrete, that would help stabilize the whole building. Second, the connection between modules is likely rigid, meaning that together they a larger structural system, rather than independent objects able to move about even slightly. Third, the setbacks may help with the lateral structure, interlocking as they rise, much like the way bricks gain strength by locking overlapping.

C. Walker Walker @Astrea

These are already issues people deal with living in NYC. This isn't designed for those planning to keep a great deal of things, but the vertical storage should work for storing off-season clothing. With the common spaces, larger parties likely wouldn't happen in the apartment anyway. I've seen folk make do with small space here for years (and more years). It's the way it is here.

This project is partly handled by the Actors Fund that promotes low-cost housing for performers with the city. If I understand correctly, when the residence opens there will be a share of them that will be renting for a higher cost and a certain amount rent controlled. I am unsure if the $940 is the rent controlled cost, though. One of the largest artist housing units in the city is actually combined artist and low-income (which, really, is another way of saying "artist") housing. The yearly rent there is based on one's income from the previous year. I am under the assumption that something similar will take place at this residence. If the design proves popular, private residences using it will likely spring up (and be $2400 and up, aimed at NYUers with Mommy&Daddy's Money). The low-cost housing will remain, though.

John Hill C. Walker Walker - The $940 is the low-end of the income-restricted rent (not rent-controlled), and is based on specific requirements for the residents' income. Certainly artists/actors are a good demographic in this regard. I am curious what market-rate units in the building will fetch for once this thing is done in two years.

Stone & Land, LLC John, I agree with sfnest on the layout. I liked your layout that you had in the 12 Predictions for Architecture in 2013. I know its not the point, but if I was going to live in a small box, I'd rather live in something like this with a yard, from tinyhouseblog.com

astraea @CWalkerWalker - So this really is for a very specific subset of folks who work in Manhattan, and would like reasonably priced housing, and wouldn't be for other young people who can't afford the going rate, but probably woudn't qualify if the income restrictions are too low. It annoys me no end, that some people would be paying much more, for the same apartments, based on income .. socialism at its finest.

twtw44 communal living is the next step...250 sq ft ppl is the size of a motel room...this looks more like a prison to me...stalinist russia is right around the corner....absoultely the worst concept i have ever heard...

marchek Brilliant for a city where the outside is the common living space. I found myself condensing my belongings in my mind so that I could partake in this type of habitat. The whole idea really makes you think what is necessary to live and better yet, how to live in a sustainable fashion. Cheers Mr. Hill.

astraea I just realized, checking out Mt. Carmel Pl & 27th St. on Bing .. it's a block away from Bellvue Hospital .. sirens going constantly!!

rocklily This type of housing was built in Canberra Australia (at ANU for student housing) a few years ago. Works well. Looks OK if you like that style, but more importantly meets the need at a fraction of the cost.

glhall How are they addressing HVAC? I can't see how they plan to heat and cool the units.

John Hill glhall - Good question, one I wish I thought to ask at the press conference. I don't see grilles on the facade, so it doesn't look like individual units at the window are being used (and I hope they don't get added). The little bit of space behind the storage loft and above the bathroom/kitchen may be the key.

jmclange $940 seems like an exhorbitant price for 220 sq ft!!! But I love the idea.

denisebarr Hello UN and welcome Agenda 21. Google it! Wake up America!

olldroo John, the "appropriateness of small apartments for older folks"? I'm sorry but I find that very offensive. Older folks have just as much right of choice as to the space they live in as anyone else and "appropriateness" depends on a person's needs not their age.

You comment in your blog above that THESE particular apartments are great for older people I was only pointing out that THESE particular apartments, because of the vertical living arrangement are not.

glhall John, I saw the hidden space behind the storage area above the bathroom/kitchen, but saw no grille either and assumed it could not be used for HVAC anyway as it faces the hallway outside the rooms. That wall must be the fire wall and cannot be penetrated without great effort to seal off the space. A unit would also require return air, ventilation, and free-air movement to circulate through a wall unit placed there. That would be unlikely as well as unattractive; if sticking out into the hallway. If the unit were inserted inside the dead space with a grille in the hall wall and the hall was also vented; then maybe, but the wall is still the fire wall, so there's that problem again. I wrote a lot without coming to a conclusion as to how they plan to heat and cool; except for the obvious and unappealing exterior window units you mentioned. I build custom modular homes in NC, including small park models.
I think these items can be worked out and feel this would be a nice project for our smaller southern cities; where students would have more off-campus choices of affordable living.

sfnest When I was a young professional, these kinds of spaces would have been ideal - no kids yet, not a lot of possessions, and you basically live at work. If you want people, you go to the common areas; if you want to be alone, you retreat to your space. If the units are for sale, they are often a way to get into the housing market at a level you can afford - understanding that affordability varies greatly with location, and New York is of course notoriously expensive. But you get to live in New York! Us urban types are used to living in very small spaces, and although these are at one end of the spectrum, it's a style of living that works in an urban environment. And yes, the noise is part of it. I live in North Beach in San Francisco - noise all the time, not to mention the influx of the young and very drunk all night, all summer long. But heck, I live in North Beach! I understand why it doesn't appeal to a lot of people, and I've lived in the suburbs, too, and understand the appeal of living there, but once my son was grown up, I came back to the city. These small space buildings are a great part of what we need in the mix in an urban area.

John Hill olldroo - No offense intended, and not exactly sure how "appropriateness of small apartments for older folks" is offensive. In no way am I saying one can't choose a different apartment, city, whatever, regardless of age. I'm merely pointing out that small units like these are suitable for people who don't live with kids, namely young people (not yet having kids) and people whose kids have moved out. Of course, there are people that don't ever have kids (and I don't want to offend them by leaving them out), for which these apartments might work.

Beth Love love love anything Micro because I belong to the Small House Society and no matter where we have lived, Paris, Rome, Tokyo, San Francisco or here in the California Sierras we have sought out homes under 500 sq feet.

Well designed micro spaces work so well and folks who choose to live small also tend to be less materialistic, less wasteful, less obese, and are more physically active.

Peter Medvin I love the micro concept - it's just not that hard to do more with less. As someone who lived in NYC for 29 years (am in Miami now), I have only one thing to say to would be micro dwellers: Zoom-Room. It's the 21st Century Murphy Bed that is truly the most sophisticated urban smart convertible space solution. Check it out at www.Zoom-Room.com. And if you're an architect/developer/designer who's involved with one of these projects, hit "contact" on the website and let me know.

lindaqdesigns This is only a few blocks from my apartment and I don't recall any empty lots. Boy, is this going to be a tight squeeze. Can't wait until they build it. Maybe i can post some pics.

sweetwist Seems like the Japanese solution to a small island and lots of people.
When Sandy hits they will not have a basement. My reference point is the Mid west though,
and we have lots of land. Maybe a treehouse or Frank Lloyd Wright design would work better.

oldblackdog Simple question - does the main door have to open in? If it cannot open out into the hall, can it - and the bathroom door -be made as pocket or slider doors? As long as everything is up for new design. I am also thinking about the corridor space - and am certain the designers were as well. I guess walking into a pace with an open view of the outside wall makes the space seem larger. But I can see people sticking tables, shelves, etc there to increase storage...

Also, I've heard that a certain % of these units will be offered as low cost housing ( whatever that means in Manhattan), the rest at market rates. Buyers with money might - make that will - want them as pied-a-terres. City "camping" - and for people who can jettison extraneous possessions - it comes with a certain freedom.

astraea @oldblackdog - Interesting material about that online: http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/question584.htm. That website says residential doors should open inward, to keep the hinges from outsider access for security. That same article says that commercial buildings often open outward, to facilitate evacuation, in case of an emergency. Another website said that doors open inward by code, so they can't accidentally be opened right into someone standing outside, considering that most residential doors are solid or have small windows.

John Hill oldblackdog and astraea - Yes, doors on residential units need to swing in, so they don't interfere with the path of evacuation in the corridor; think of running to a stair only to be slammed by an opening door. Theoretically, alcoves could be made so doors opening out don't interfere with the path of travel, but that would just eat into the space of the unit. Developer-driven designs have a lot to do with efficiency, and a design that minimizes circulation and maximizes unit size (quite relative, in this case) is best. There's probably other reasons that swinging in is best practice, but code dictates it for fire reasons.

A film with a door swinging out is Double Indemnity. I remember it from a discussion in Film Noir class, and this guy remembers it too, pointing out a couple situations where doors swinging out are the norm: http://jpgamboa.com/archives/1424

astraea @oldblackdog - I originally had a pocket door on the MBR bathroom, in my former home. There was something a little uncomfortable, not hearing a knob click closed, if you're using the bathroom & have someone else in the bedroom with you! When I remodeled the bathroom, the pocket door was replace! Yet I had pocket doors in other places, and they were terrific; wish I had one in my current home, closing off the bedroom wing!

thomcat If you've never lived in a world-class city like Manhattan, you shouldn't judge if it's worthwhile or not. Obviously many people do think the amenities and opportunities are worth it. Also, if you've ever walked through an IKEA display of a 400 sq ft living space, you know how livable it can be. My wife and I have always preferred to have separate bedroom and living/entertaining spaces. It can be done in 300 sq ft, but anything smaller is pretty tough.

Living in a small space makes you think about the way you live a lot more. How many people live in homes where rooms and nooks are never used? We moved from a 500 sq ft Manhattan 1 bedroom to a 1300 sq ft house in the SF Bay Area and can honestly say we maximized and used every part of that house and its front, rear and side outdoor spaces. If we hadn't had the experience in living in sub-1000 sq ft spaces previously, I doubt we would have enjoyed that house and the creative process of making it a home as much. We now live in an amazing home with Bay and bridge views and over 4,000 freakin' sq ft and I gotta say I am overwhelmed. 1/3 of the house literally sits unused. Part of me wants to subdivide it and rent out the bottom floor but my wife won't go for it.

Ellen This is an interesting concept. Great for commuters, who work in the city and live out in the suburbs. Also, great for a single person or a couple who would not spend a lot of time in that little space. (I think of my little dorm room at college.) Also, the concept would eliminate many roommate issues.

yuridovgopoly USSR 1959
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khrushchyovka

Prairie Gayle About 10 years ago, I read an article about replacing slums in South American cities with actual shipping cartons, with windows and doors. That is a step up for those folks.

When I saw these small living spaces in cities, all I could think of was the crowded living in the tenements in the 1800 and 1900's. Maybe it is not much different than living in a small trailer or RV. City dwellers have a different mindset and life style than we have on the prairies.

I live in a small Midwestern City. My home is an old split level of 1164 sq. ft, so not large. The basement level, where I spend most of my time, is about 250 sq. ft, but no kitchen or bath taking up the area. I need to be able to see a yard and space between our houses. Good thing we are all different.

jojo132 @Beth wow! That is some judgment to make!

Beth jojo132 Re your :'@Beth wow! That is some judgment to make'

Judgmental how?

Have read so many articles in the last six years about small house society members and those who live in small spaces in NYC, San Francisco, Paris, Rome etc that clearly note that folks who live in small spaces walk more, eat healthier and less, are less obese, know needs from wants and tend to only own things that they will use with a few wants included.And are less materialistic.

And that the money they saved from renting/buying a small place in these very expensive areas goes for travel, entertainment, fitness, and better health choices.

And the more I thought about it the more I realized these were observations I had personally observed as well when we lived in SF, Paris, Tokyo and Jerusalem.

Back in 2007 I remember the WSJ, NYTimes and a couple other publications doing pieces on storage rental places and how the folks who rented storage were mostly folks who have large enough homes but they acquired more and more stuff and had no where to put everything.

YouTube has some awesome small house videos.

San Vhai They should bring this concept to central London. It is getting too pack and price is sky rocketing. BTW for UK architects take note of the new RIBA Plan of Work 2013 :

http://thd.com.np/2013/01/riba-plan-of-work-2013/

ragsangle Giggles ...mini mobile homes without the trailers...I could never live like a sardine stacked up all together that way...but I think this is a really clever take on trailers to pack tons of people in a tight living space....

Beth Thank you Burton Architecture for giving the link to the wonderful new small spaces in San Francisco http://www.smartspace.net/locations/soma

The use of words like packed in like rats, sardines makes me wonder how many people posting those comments have ever traveled much less lived in places like London, Paris, Rome, Tokyo, Jerusalem, NYC, San Francisco where living is expensive.

Bear in mind that folks in these areas and outside of the states also spend more on food (non junk) than Americans. Numerous studies also show that Americans use something like 40% of the worlds natural resources yet Americans make up around 7% of the worlds population.

chrigid I've been having a hard time trying to figure out the point of this kind of housing. As a number of commenters have noted, murphy beds, convertible sofas and under-ceiling storage (let alone sleeping lofts!) are not what the elderly require. For couples, there's no place to be alone. Big cities have never had, and never will have, any trouble attracting young people without building housing for them.

Granted, people in the performing arts will always need affordable housing, but my guess is these units are going to become pied a terre and corporate apartments--no way to build communities.

What I'd like to see in NYC is the kind of housing that could lure police officers and fire fighters out of the suburbs and into city neighborhoods where, hopefully, they might learn to see the rest of us as neighbors and not just criminals and impossible naifs.

astraea @chrigid - Many people like to live away from their work, for a change of atmosphere. I bet most NYC police & fire fighters grew up in the city, so they're very familiar with the people living there, and that's why they're willing to risk life & limb for the job. The fact is that to get "more for your money", most people have to move out of NYC.

graham22 Utter nonsense accomodation.

mnoswad1 Sad.

The assumption is that this should be somewhat affordable for the (non existent) NYC middle class, but will actually just serve to provide a new higher price-point for cost vs value.......meaning that you will gradually pay more for less and less space n Manhattan.

A few years in a dorm room was enough for me.

SRH Interior Design & Consulting I want to downsize- but can't imagine have to pull my bed out/down every night.

Beth After reading this article over a week ago, some of my family and friends have been having a great time sharing memories of Murphy beds we ALL had in the first small apartments we rented, and how when in Europe similar beds were the norm when traveling.

Then came the Futon which seems to have replaced the Murphy bed. Then low and behold we were in a small space furniture show room and the new style Murply beds I was able to pull down and push up with one hand and little effort.

Also want to note they have energy saving stacking washer/dryer, dishwashers and other appliances for small spaces, so you do not have to feel deprived of modern conviences.

middleofnowhere Not only is it practical to have lower-income/income-adjusted housing, it is also sustainable to live small. With the world's population reaching 9 billion (in the near future, I believe), we need sustainable and energy-efficient housing for all. I remember the first time I saw a NYC apartment--it was 1990, a "studio" the size of a small bedroom, and the rent was $700--unreal to me, living in a studio twice that size for half the rent in Washington, DC. How can young people afford to live there?

We really don't need the space we think we do. I live in 800 square feet 2 bedroom/1bath now at 48--and it's more than enough space for me and my dog--and I have a lot of stuff! Living smallish keeps me from being a hoarder but it also keeps the electric bill small--which should be important to everyone as fewer resources in the future means higher heating/cooling costs. It astounds me that people live in houses with rooms they never use. Seems so wasteful to me.

Beth middleofnowhere, I LOVED your comments. Especially the 'We really don't need the space we think we do' Stop and think about that. How many people think they need bigger because someone, be it a real estate broker, designer, furniture salesmen etc has told them that 'everyone' is living big?

Yet, I know for a fact that many many of the new under thirty five/forty billionaires here in the high tech areas of northern California are shunning big homes, and even big cars. Big meals, and other wasteful ideas.


And you were spot on in regard to heating,cooling a smaller place saving money. The other thing I challenge people to think about came from a professor at Stanford University. Ask yourself how much is each room in your home costing you? Those little used or unused rooms you are paying for in house payments and property taxes, are they worth the money? Or would you be better off in a smaller home that is less expensive all the way around, with all rooms being used a lot?

sweetwist These pictures show other countries use of space: A company in Madrid, and Favels, Brazil with a border between the rich and the poor.

dadonald I live in 340 sq ft in a downtown apt and love it.

For years I lived in an 11 room, 3,400 sq ft, 3 storey home with one other person. Then we downsized to a 9 room, 2,200 sq ft apt. I hated my job but, being too young to retire and now being alone, I had to make a choice - work to pay for space to wander around in, or downsize to be free. I chose freedom.

The day I moved in I thought "my God, what have I done". But with only $27,000 worth of renovation I have a beautiful efficient space - Murphy Bed and all! Getting rid of tons of possessions has been relief beyond description.

My Point is: Living Small is a mind-set and not a sacrifice. Life is what you make it - not how much space you occupy.

lauren1 220 sq. ft. - I suspect that the units will not look as wide open as they do in that wide angle shot, since the camera appears to be placed pretty far away from everything (magnifying the open feel) when, in reality, it's a smallish hallway. (If this photo was made with a wide angle lens, there is a distortion factor built into the lens which would make the space look larger.)

For those who do live there and like the idea of really tiny living, this may appeal. Too small for me, even though I am a fan of "Not So Big" living.

(In the interest of full disclosure, I live in 700 sq. ft. and like it. I just wouldn't want to live in a little over 1/4 of my current footprint. And certainly not in New York City.)

Beth Wanted to stress how important high ceilings are in small spaces. Most of the small houses around here that are new and under 400 sq ft have very high ceilings and great windows both in the loft area and below. This along with light walls gives you a sense of space. Having an outdoor area also gives you more space.

John Hill lauren1 - That image is a rendering. The building will not start construction until later this year, completed in 2015.

helandy I LOVE THIS CONCEPT! WANT ONE! HOW DO I GO ABOUT GETTING ONE?

Prairie Lady I guess part of the joy of these spaces is if you live in a city. I live on the prairies .South Dakota and would be very stifled..closed in, even in apt. living. My house is older and small for this area, but ..... to be stacked in like sardines....could not do it. Good thing we are all different.

duffyonline A box is still a box no matter how cute inside.

chrigid Duffy, we all live in some kind of box. It's usually just a matter of how we arrange things for our pleasure and convenience. The plan of this particular box makes it more difficult for the occupant(s) to do that, and wastes a ton of space in the process.

I once lived in a 1-bedroom apartment roughly the same size. The bedroom held a full-sized bed and a crib. The living room held a full-sized sofa, two arm chairs, a coffee table, a hope chest, a dining table and 4 chairs, a dresser and a playpen. There were also 2 small closets. Friends said I had rubber walls, but it was the floor plan that permitted all this. My only gripes were a half-refrigerator and no bathtub, just a shower.

I can't imagine fitting a fraction of that in the plan above.

poorkid $900.00 for 350 sq. feet? You couldn't pay me to live in a $900.00 studio in New York. It's obviously a great city but this is a divorce causer if I've ever seen one. Nothing like having zero opportunity to get some free personal time. If you're not nose to nose with a spouse or roommate you're out in the city amongst 8 million other people. I guess you'd spend a lot of time on the toilet.

chrigid John, how do I find this? "my idea (in the 220 link within the Ideabook) turned the unit 90 degrees relative to the exterior."

Beth Some people need to think outside the box.

In places like NYC, San Francisco, Paris, Tokyo small living areas are the norm. Unlike in the suburbs city folks are not hunkered down at home on some sofa re couch potatoes. They are out and about, at parks, dining out, walking, riding a bike, being active. Many city folks dont even own a car, but bike, use public transportation or a taxi.

Same with many of us in places like the California Sierras near Tahoe, where small homes are the norm and non working hours are spent kayaking, skiing, fly fishing, hiking etc. Better things to do than stay inside.

John Hill chrigid - Here it is:

niamunchkins I would LOVE to live there! :D In Manhattan, in a cozy apartment! If you are a young business person, you wouldn't have that many personal belongings and a futon (it's temporary) would be a great bed option!