France Is Home To The World's Narrowest House Built By Architect Erwin Wurm

Videos of an architectural marvel have been doing the rounds on social media in recent times. It is a house in Normandy, France and has been designated the narrowest house in the world. The piece of architecture has been aptly named Narrow House. Famous artist Erwin Wurm has built this house. You will be surprised to know that the size of this house is just 7x13x16 meters. Measuring 18 meters in length and a mere 1.30 meters in width, it undoubtedly holds the title of being the world’s narrowest house. Erected in 2019 along Avenue Foch, one of Europe’s widest boulevards, this site selection was deliberate, serving to underscore the artist’s message.

Through the creation of Narrow House, the artist sought to replicate the proportions of their parent’s home, emphasising its narrowness. Serving as a portrayal of a typical suburban house from the 1960s, the interior features photographs capturing the artist’s childhood memories. All furnishings were crafted to fit the unique dimensions of the house, including a scaled-down sink and cooktop optimized for functionality.

Upon stepping inside the house, one immediately senses a feeling of discomfort. Individuals prone to claustrophobia may experience discomfort and a strong urge to leave. Opened to the public for the first time on June 24, 2022, Erwin Wurm, in an interview, speculated about a future where diminishing land availability prompts the construction of such narrow homes.

In an interview, Erwin said, “It was my parents’ house. I recreated it in a narrow, crushed-down version. To reflect narrow society, the claustrophobia of our suburbs and our minds. Again, I use humour and the absurd to make people think about the world we live in.”

Many people believe Wurm to be the best Austrian contemporary artist. He made other notable series, such as Fat Car in 2001, in which massive cars were constructed out of polystyrene and polyurethane foam.