Can a 20cm wide house accommodate people?

A building in Huangpu District, Shanghai, looks as thin as paper and its narrowest part is only 20 centimeters. Daily Mail called it "the flattest and thinnest building in the world" in 2013.

纸片楼 Going Outside

Ningbo Road, Shanghai 

About 20 similar constructions exit in Shanghai. They are the landmarks of the city - paper buildings.

Paper buildings are not built of paper. They appear extremely thin because their multi-sided shapes can cause sight illusion. The “20cm wide” residence is a polygonal structure with a triangle. The sharp corner of the triangle produces the visual effect of a thin “paper”.

纸片楼 Going Outside

Ningbo Road, Shanghai 

In the last century, tofully use the land, people designed houses as polygons. These special residences are bothpractical and beautiful.

However, some paper constructions faced demolition in recent years. For instance, the local government ordered to demolition of the “20cm wide” building in 2021.

Some people think it's a pity to tear down these old residences. But, the facilities are too dilapidated to meet people's housing needs. People wanted to improve their housing conditions and living quality. In the intention to collect the reconstructed houses, the consent rate was 99.72%.

纸片楼 Going Outside

Ningbo Road, Shanghai 

The“20cm wide” building has a triangle appearance. Besides the triangle, paper buildings also have other figures. On South Henan Road, one paper building resembles a ship. It stands in the middle of two roads as if were sailing.

纸片楼 Going Outside

South Henan Road, Shanghai

The structure has witnessed the local history for about a century. Between 1912 and 1936, it became a heritage protection site. And now scaffolding is being installed around the building for repairs.

纸片楼 Going Outside

South Henan Road, Shanghai

Some old paper buildings in Shanghai also usher in restoration and renovation. The shopping center TX Huaihai is an example, which formerly was a renowned Japanese department store - Isetan Department Store in Hua Ting. 

纸片楼 Going Outside

Middle Huaihai Road, Shanghai

In 2008, it closed because the lease had expired. In 2019, TX Huaihai opened and drew in numerous young people. The business district has become vibrant again.

纸片楼 Going Outside

Middle Huaihai Road, Shanghai

In Shanghai, a street with paper buildings is also popular with young people. "Many couples came here for wedding photos," said a security man of Wukang Road.

Paper buildings on Wukang Road are historical relics of the Shanghai French Concession. In 2020, the Shanghai government began to renovate the road. It not only repaired the old structures such as the Wukang Building, Midget Apartments, and Capetown Apartments, but also adjusted the blocks more convenient for tourists to take photos.

纸片楼 Going Outside

Wukang Road, Shanghai

This year, "City walk" ( refers to walking or exploring some characteristic landscape routes in the city） gained popularity. More and more passersby stop to appreciate the beauty of paper buildings.

纸片楼 Going Outside

Wukang Road, Shanghai

文案 | 纸片楼 Going Outside

排版 | 纸片楼 Going Outside

部分图片来自网络，如有侵权请联系公众号后台。