Standing just over one two-thousandth of an inch (.0006 inches), the world’s tiniest home sits on an optical fiber lot that is about a million times smaller than a typical two-story, single-family house. Designed and built by French researchers from the Femto-ST Institute, the micro-home features all the hallmarks of a cozy little residence: gable roof, windows, a chimney and, of course, a front door.

A tiny robot ‘constructed’ the structure in a vacuum chamber, then used an ion beam to slice out the details from an ultra-slim sheet of silica. The key trick was to cut away the sheet such that it would fold itself up into its final house shape. The intersecting structural elements were then welded into play on a lower setting and gas injection created a patterned roof to add some architectural detail.

Nano-bots built this small shelter at a scale that it could house a microscopic organism but not much else — it was modeled to demonstrate their abilities to achieve high precision at incredibly minute scales. “We decided to build the micro-house on the fibre to show that we are able to realise these microsystem assemblies on top of an optical fibre with high accuracy,” said one of the engineers.

And while it sounds like a fun side project to show off new capabilities, the implications are far-reaching. “With this advancement, optical fibres as thin as human hair can be inserted into inaccessible locations like jet engines and blood vessels to detect radiation levels or viral molecules,” says the American Institute of Physics.

Perhaps the greatest cons of all time are those that manage to hold up in court, like the case of the world’s smallest skyscraper, a building sold to investors at 480 inches tall on a blueprint that did not convert those units back into feet.

Built during an oil boom in Wichita Falls, Texas, the Newby-McMahon Building measures just 40 feet tall, 18 feet deep and 10 feet wide, initially featuring neither stairs nor elevators, forcing occupants to climb ladders to access upper floors. Completed in 1919, the structure was the brainchild of J.D. McMahon, petroleum landman and structural engineer, who collected $200,000 of investments (over $2 million in today’s dollars) to build a skyscraper in an area of rapid regional growth in great need of highrise office space.

The subtle genius that won his defense in the ensuing lawsuit: his floor plans, sections and elevations were all drawn to scale and clearly labeled in inches rather than feet, resulting in a building that was precisely one twelfth what its investors were expecting on all sides. McMahon began construction and before long the other stakeholders realized they were being swindled but found they had no recourse, having explicitly signed off on the drawings. The company responsible for installing an elevator backed out when they realized they were part of the scam, leaving the building without any means of transit between floors as well.

Despite it being a folly in the eyes of its investors and being boarded up for years during the Great Depression, the structure was saved time and time again from demolition by local activists and has since housed a series of businesses within its modest-sized walls. Today it remains a historic landmark, though due to its size it does not meet classification criteria as even a highrise, let alone an atual skyscraper. Images by Chuck Coker, Nicolas Henderson and Solomon Chaim.

Originally designed to house a lamp post, this unassuming spot in Portland, Oregon, was left empty until a local journalist took it upon himself to declare it a park, naming it Mill Ends after his column in the regional paper.

The earthen concrete-enclosed spot, outside the Oregon Journal office of writer Dick Fagan and situated between lanes and medians, had began to sprout weeds until one night in the 1940s he declared it a park. In a fit of fancy, he claimed it was occupied by leprechaun Patrick O’Toole and began printing stories about the space and its resident.

Though only Fagan seemed to see its miniature occupant, his editorials claimed the area should be subject to the city’s park rules, including curfews. Soon enough, it was a local, then national, then international legend (though some outsiders mistakenly know it as ‘Mill’s End’).

Today, the beloved micro-park even sports a sign explaining its history and origins, also showing its original location in the context of surrounding structures.

Although frequently occupied by a single tree today, the circular anomaly has featured everything from a swimming pool and diving board (for butterflies and, presumably, leprechauns) and a miniature Ferris wheel (also clearly for small occupants of the park). It was even relocated at one point to accommodate building construction in the area. (Images by Duk, brx0, Piutus, Craig Dietrich)

Everyone always says bigger is better, but sometimes it’s nice to flip expectations on their head and give small a chance. When big gets boring, these are the awesome miniature inventions you need to see.

Miniature Cars

(Images via loqu, lahoridanda, ecojoes, onehead-manoj, darkroastedblend)

Anyone who has ridden in a mini cooper knows the joy of riding in a powerful light car with enough zoom to zig and zag with the best of them. Why not knock it a down a notch and pick an XXS vehicle for a tour around the town?

Hobbit-sized Homes

(Images via shawnhogan, alldoing)

It’s important for one’s environment and finances not to purchase more square footage than necessary. Just be sure not to take this mentality to an extreme, or one’s home might be a tad too far on the cozy side.

Tiniest in the World

(Images via worldssmallest, seriouseats, girlssecretroom, 2dayblog)

While it’s great to be able to ride a miniature scooter, or super small sportster, more mundane objects can be just as intriguing. Anything made small enough is a wonder of artistry, especially when this creation is edible.

Smallest Working Train Models

(Images via telegraph, whiteriverandnorthern, blingcheese)

It’s rare that a train enthusiast has to worry about losing one of their models in a pants pocket, but it would no longer be unheard of. These trains are some of the smallest and to see them in action is a wonder in both model creation and macro camera technology.

A Tiny Trip to the Theater

(Images via ethiopianreview, daniellemagesamato)

The world’s smallest cinema only has room for one patron, but that doesn’t make those flicks any less enjoyable, especially with the ability to watch a movie powered by solar panels in the middle of the outdoors. If one would rather take in a small play, head over to England and visit a restroom that’s been converted into a quaint theater.

Mini Motorcycling

(Images via viewgadgets, gamespot, loqu, mjperry, future-motorcycles, gadgethobby)

Motorcycles are typically a sign of masculinity and power, which makes miniature bikes that much stranger. It’s no doubt that a ride on one of these tiny powerhouses would be an enjoyable one.

The Tiniest Aircraft

(Images via sportpilot, macandsal, schultzairshows)

For those who hate feeling out of control on a flight, there’s not much more one can do than drive one of these incredibly small aircraft. No one can complain if the room service is poor on one of these flights, that’s for sure.

(Check out our complete collection of 70+ Amazing Theme, Castle, Jail and Art Hotels.)

Think your last apartment or hotel room was small? Believe it or not, there are a lot of contenders for the dubious title of smallest hotel on the planet. Some claim this world record by number of rooms, others by size and all are quick to defend their position. However, you can judge for yourself after taking a look at this incredible collection of the tiniest hotels from around the globe!

A few feet from the flowing Danube river in Germany, these cramped Das Park pipe hotel accommodations seem as cozy as they are tiny. Simplicity is the key word to these elegant designs, blank round pipes on the exterior and minimally finished rooms on the inside. Even better, guests get to stay in a lovely park setting and pay only what they want to.

The Yotel airport hotel is as cleverly designed as it was named, a slick luxury hotel room in a very small space. It is located incredibly close to the check-in counter at London’s Heathrow airport and comes with flat screen televisions, wireless internet and 24 hour room service. The basic idea is to blend luxury, convenience and reasonable pricing as well as clever and creative space solutions that maximize comfort and minimize space.

On the island El Hierro, a part of the Canary archipelago, sits the strange little Punta Grande stone hotel that is the opposite of luxurious. It has no amenities to speak of and sits dangerously close to the waves, which often toss up over the rocks and hit the sides of the hotel itself. Nonetheless, it is a beautiful getaway for those seeking a full retreat from the typical bustle of urban living.

This one room hotel in Cambodia is arguably the most luxurious guest room in the world, or the smallest, or maybe even both. Despite having only one room this hotel has everything a normal hotel would, including a reception area, doorman and ful services found in any respectable hotel setting. The single room can even be turned into a restaurant on demand.

The town of Eernum, Hollad is perhaps too eager for the title of smallest hotel in the world. As their own modest one room hotel‘s website itself points out: it is the town’s only claim to fame, alongside its three cafes, candle maker an mustard museum. Nonetheless, they do boast a Guinness Book of Records spot for their curious an quaint accommodations and a crown prince’s wedding night as well.

Though most people have heard of them by now, not mentioning capsule hotels in a list of the world’s tiniest hotel rooms would be impossible. Despite their almost unbelievably small size, capsule hotel rooms can cost as much as $40 a night and often feature surprising amenities including wireless internet access and television sets. Outside of the rooms themselves, vending machines, restaurants, pools and other communal spaces can also typically be found. On a more humorous note, thrill-seeking foreigners are sometimes discouraged from staying in these, while intoxicated local businessmen too drunk to go home are welcome.

The Phillips so-called “One Star Is Born” high-tech hotel project may be the wave of the future, based as much on economic savings as on technological innovation. The Citizenm hotel in Amsterdam is a test version including ready-made rooms that are jacked into a grid when a customer arrives and set to their preset preferences. In theory, this will provide greater customization for the user while reducing costs.

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The 10 Narrowest Houses in the World
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