World's smallest house created

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities, Development

A German designer may just have the answer to the UK's housing crisis. And conveniently for social landlords there isn't a spare bedroom in sight.

Designer Van Bo Le-Metnzel's 'One Sqm House' can be tilted over to make a bed, kept upright to serve as a living area, and can even function as a shop.

The Berlin-based architect says his miniscule dwelling can be rented for around a dollar a night.

Conspicuously absent from the diminutive domicile is running water or electricity, though a lack of such services clearly helps to keep costs down.

Le-Metnzel's design was driven by a desire to own a home he could take with him.

“So I said, ok, I want to have my own square metre … that no one other than I, myself, can decide what happens with this one square meter of mine in the world. It’s the only square meter in the world where I can decide what direction the window looks in, what direction the door opens in, what neighbours I have," he said.