The Mini Tower Apartment offers 1,250 square feet of living space on a compact 12 by 29-foot lot. Adjacent to the building is an open area of similar size, currently used by neighbors as both a parking lot and backyard.
The vertical extension maximizes the building’s height within local zoning limits and site depth, resulting in six functional stories. This design promotes a vertical lifestyle that seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor living. The structure occupies the entire building footprint and incorporates thoughtful BIM-engineered setbacks, including a ground floor window sill, a second-floor accessible terrace, and a rooftop platform.
Standing just 38 feet tall, the interior spatial layout of the Mini Tower mimics that of a large-scale skyscraper. Each floor connects through a central vertical core, with floors offering similar area and spatial quality for flexible use.
The kitchen is located on the lower levels, while bathrooms are placed on the upper floors. Each floor can be customized for various functions such as living, working, or leisure. One of the biggest challenges in vertical living on a small footprint is stair placement. The design features a foldable spiral metal staircase facing the building’s facade, creating an airy, light-filled circulation loop. This staircase provides residents with engaging views and an adventurous atmosphere both inside and out. The experience of ascending and descending the stairs is an essential part of daily life in the Mini Tower.
Urban dwellers are increasingly willing to trade square footage for higher quality living spaces. Choosing to live in small units within vibrant, walkable neighborhoods is becoming more popular than residing in larger homes located far from city centers. The Mini Tower Apartment exemplifies how compact residential buildings can offer a comfortable and enriching lifestyle.
Design Drawings:
Floor Plan
Sectional Perspective View
Sectional View
Analysis Diagram
Project Information:
Architect: Interface Studio Architects (ISA)
Location: Philadelphia, PA, USA
Category: Apartment
Lead Architect: ISA – Interface Studio Architects
Building Area: 1,250 ft²
Year Completed: 2018
Photography by: Sam Oberter Photography
Suppliers: Englert, En-Motion Design, Marmoleum, James Hardie Company
Contractor: Callahan Ward Companies
Structural Engineering: Larsen and Landis Consulting Engineers
MEP Engineering: J+M Engineers
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