I understand you're looking for a detailed plan or document covering houses sized between 9 feet by 36 feet (often called a "skinny lot" or "shotgun" house plan). However, a "long paper" in the academic or architectural sense (e.g., a 20-page research paper) isn't feasible here. Instead, I'll provide a comprehensive, structured guide covering design principles, zoning, layouts, mechanical systems, and construction considerations for a 9x36 ft home — which totals 324 sq. ft. per floor. Below is a complete architectural and practical planning document for a 9x36 house.
Comprehensive Design & Planning Document: The 9’ x 36’ Narrow Lot House 1. Introduction & Feasibility A 9-foot width is extremely narrow — narrower than a standard shipping container (8 ft) but slightly wider than a hallway. This forces a linear, single-loaded corridor layout. Such homes are common in urban infill lots (e.g., row houses in Philadelphia, Baltimore, or Tokyo’s kyo-machiya ). Total Area (one story): 324 sq. ft. Typical solution: 2-story (648 sq. ft.) or 3-story (972 sq. ft.) with a roof deck. 2. Zoning & Code Constraints (Critical First Step) Before designing, verify with local building department:
Minimum width – Many codes require 10–12 ft minimum width for a dwelling unit. A 9 ft width may require a variance. Setbacks – Side yards might be zero (party wall) or 3–5 ft, reducing usable width to 3–6 ft if both sides require clearance. Egress – Two means of escape (front door + rear door, or operable windows of minimum size). Stair width – Minimum 36 inches clear (ICC residential code). A 9 ft wall‑to‑wall leaves 6 ft for rooms after subtracting stairs and corridor. Parking – Many areas require off‑street parking, which is difficult on a 9 ft wide lot.
3. Spatial Organization Principles Core Strategies 9-36 house plan
Eliminate corridors – Use the path of travel through the house as the corridor. For example, walk through living → dining → kitchen → bedroom to reach the rear bath. Stack wet walls – Place kitchen and bathrooms on the same vertical axis to save on plumbing. Use sliding or pocket doors – Swing doors waste 9–12 sq. ft. each. Built‑in furniture – Murphy beds, fold‑down tables, narrow (18‑24”) deep shelving.
Room Widths (Clear dimensions after walls)
Living room: 8’6” (two sofas back‑to‑back is 7 ft, leaving 18” path) Kitchen: 8’6” (one side 24” cabinets + 36” aisle + 24” opposite cabinets = 7 ft – works) Bedroom: 8’6” (twin bed length 75” + 18” path = 93” = 7’9” – tight but possible) Bathroom: 5–6 ft minimum width for a full bath; 4 ft for a 3/4 bath. I understand you're looking for a detailed plan
4. Sample Floor Plans (9’ x 36’ per floor) Option A: 2‑Story, 2 Bedroom / 1.5 Bath (648 sq. ft.) Ground Floor (entry level)
0–8 ft: Entry closet (18” deep) + stairs to 2nd floor (36” wide straight run, turning at landing) 8–20 ft: Living room (12 ft long) – window at front 20–28 ft: Kitchen (8 ft) – galley style 28–36 ft: Dining nook + sliding glass door to tiny rear patio + powder room (4’ x 6’)
Second Floor
0–8 ft: Landing + hallway (over stairs) 8–20 ft: Primary bedroom (12 ft) – fits queen bed (60”x80”) along the long wall 20–28 ft: Bathroom (full – 5’ x 8’) with tub/shower, vanity, toilet 28–36 ft: Second bedroom (8 ft long) – fits twin bed + desk
Option B: 3‑Story with Roof Deck (972 sq. ft.) Ground – Entry, stairs, utility closet, storage, small office (8’ x 9’) Second – Open living/dining/kitchen (full 36’ length) – feels much larger Third – Two bedrooms + full bath Roof – Deck (36’ x 9’) – expands outdoor space 5. Construction & Mechanical Details Framing