Jonathan Bolch presents design ideas for infill housing on Portland’s alleyways, addressing challenges in planning, privacy, and community with innovative, modular prototypes. Discover Jonathan Bolch’s innovative infill housing designs for Portland’s alleys—merging Kyoto’s machiya, London’s mews & PDX strategies for vibrant life now!!
Jonathan Bolch, Design Principal at Woofter Bolch Architecture and adjunct faculty at Portland State University, has a deep interest in small-scale, infill housing. He has extensive experience designing for Portland’s neighborhoods, both through his work and his teaching
Jonathan Bolch’s research explores innovative design concepts for infill housing in Portland’s 76 miles of alleyways, aiming to enhance urban livability and sustainability
The Folklore Retreat is a cabin design inspired by Latvian folklore, featuring a central chimney and sustainable elements, shortlisted in the Caramel Shore Traveller Rooms Competition
Discover how The Stylesmiths transformed a 1990s apartment in East Melbourne’s historic Tribeca building into a luxurious urban retreat blending modern design and heritage.
Discover the RÃo Plata Refuge: a stilted, sustainable retreat blending minimal design with nature, elevated above seasonal floods in the picturesque Plata River Delta
Teilhaus Apartments at Nightingale Skye House by Breathe reimagine sustainable, small-footprint living with innovative design, shared spaces, and low-carbon strategies
Discover how Design Storey transformed a historic Cotswolds barn into a modern, sustainable tiny home while preserving its unique heritage and charm
The Northcliffe Laneway House, designed by Lanescape Architecture + Construction, exemplifies a practical approach to urban living in Toronto.
Explore the Austin Minimalist Backhouse by Moontower, where compact design meets functionality, maximizing space, privacy, and natural light in an urban setting.
Discover Lake Rosseau Cabin by Still Architects, a Muskoka retreat blending history and modernity with exposed timbers, lakefront views, and sustainable design.
Discover the Nulla Vale project by MRTN Architects, a unique exploration of architecture blending with a rugged landscape. Set amidst granite outcrops and pastoral land, this design incorporates salvaged materials and off-grid living principles. Inspired by “settler wagons,” Nulla Vale reflects a deep understanding of its site and the clients’ vision for a sustainable, evocative dwelling. Explore how this project harmonizes with its environment while respecting the area’s historical and agricultural context. Published with bowerbird, photography by Peter Bennetts
Explore how Adam Knibb Architects maximizes space in compact urban sites, like Norwood in London, with innovative vertical design and thoughtful material choices.
Discover the Toronto Laneway Workshop by Jon Cummings Architecture—an innovative, sustainable hybrid space blending function, design, and urban adaptability.
Explore the restoration of Drakoni House in Schisma Elountas, Crete, where Doriza Design blends 19th-century stone architecture with modern living solutions.
Discover how BEDA reimagines small spaces with thoughtful design, as seen in Slat House—a 500-sq-ft apartment transformed with functional, stylish solutions.
Discover Schindel Studio by Archer + Braun, a sustainable workspace in London that beautifully combines functionality with eco-friendly design principles.
Explore Woollahra Treehouse by Bones Studio, a contemporary Fonzie Flat nestled above a carport in a tight corner of a late-Victorian home. This design seamlessly integrates with its surroundings, featuring a curved brick wall around a Camphor Laurel tree, high-pitched ceilings, and a minimalist interior. Discover how this compact, modern addition offers functional living space with privacy and connection to nature.
Explore Gawthorne’s Hut, an off-grid retreat in Mudgee designed by Cameron Anderson Architects. Learn how sustainable features, innovative design, and a unique rural aesthetic blend seamlessly to create an inviting guest experience in a stunning natural setting.
Discover how LAB5 Architects transformed a 31m² apartment into a spacious, light-filled urban living space, blending modern design with innovative small-space solutions.
Explore Tabià in Belluno, a renovated stone barn by didstudio that blends historic charm with modern alpine living. Set in the Cadore region, this sustainable home combines local craftsmanship, larch wood, and expansive windows to offer breathtaking views of the Dolomites, honoring the area’s cultural heritage while embracing contemporary design
Explore how R Architecture transformed a narrow 160-square-meter block in Brunswick into a modern, sustainable home. The Small House project showcases creative design solutions that maximize natural light, maintain privacy, and incorporate eco-friendly materials like recycled bricks and solar PV panels. Discover how thoughtful design can enhance comfort and style in compact urban settings.
Explore the Water View ADU by Office of Ordinary Architecture, a cleverly designed living space atop an existing garage in Puget Sound. This project maximizes breathtaking water views while preserving yard space on a tight corner lot. Discover how the design integrates a spacious deck, statement shelving, and a compact yet functional kitchen, all wrapped in calming blues and wood tones that evoke a beachy atmosphere. Perfect as a guest retreat or a future home, this ADU blends aesthetic appeal with practical living
Discover a creatively designed ADU by Tracy Stone Architect in Los Angeles that enhances backyard living with a poolside retreat and efficient use of space.
A ski-in, ski-out cabin by Shean Architects at Mont Ste. Marie, Quebec, carefully positioned to blend with the landscape and preserve the natural rock terrain.
Discover Backyard House by Tan Architecture in Brunswick East, Melbourne—a clever multi-generational living solution. This 69sqm two-story home maximizes space, privacy, and sustainability, offering a thoughtful approach to urban housing diversity.
Explore Tiny Victories, a transformative micro home designed by Jobe Corral Architects for Community First! Village in Austin. Discover how thoughtful architecture can provide security, dignity, and community to those who have experienced chronic homelessness, offering sustainable solutions to Austin’s housing challenges.
Explore ‘Small and Mighty’ by SUBU Design Architecture, a masterful transformation of a compact Los Angeles lot into a stylish and functional home. Discover how innovative design solutions maximize space, light, and coastal charm to create a beautifully livable urban retreat
Discover Tsai Design’s St Kilda Micro Sanctuary, a compact 25 sqm apartment in Melbourne’s beachside suburb. This thoughtfully designed space balances the needs of a temporary home with those of an Airbnb rental, featuring multifunctional furniture, a unique copper-clad bathroom pod, and clever layout strategies that maximize comfort and functionality.
Explore A House for Grandma by Brcar Morony Architecture in Lindfield, Australia—a modern solution to multigenerational living and housing affordability. Set on a spacious 968 sqm lot, this design integrates a flexible living space that accommodates both elderly family members and young adults. With a focus on privacy, nature integration, and sustainability, the project exemplifies how thoughtful architecture can meet diverse family needs while blending seamlessly with the local context
A global directory of tiny house resources and design inspiration