Das Kleinste Haus Europas (Europe's Smallest House), Bregenz

The Europe's Smallest House is a unique example of parasitic architecture, lacking its own lateral outer walls and instead nestled into an existing vacant lot. Its facade measures a mere 57 cm in width facing Kirchstraße, though the front door extends slightly wider, reaching into the neighboring house at Kirchstraße 31.

Situated between numbers 27 and 31, the house widens toward the rear at an acute angle, conforming to typical residential building widths in that area. With a total living space of 60 m², it presents a blend of compactness and functionality.

Historical records from the city archives do not document the insertion of house number 29, but it is believed to be over two centuries old, dating back to at least 1796 when it was owned by a wax puller. In 1886, it passed into the ownership of the great-grandfather of the penultimate owner, who, along with his descendants, operated various businesses from the premises, including a brush maker and later a pram shop.

In 1999, the shop was closed, and the facade along Kirchstraße was bricked up, with the entrance blocked by a distribution box. Restoration work in around 2002 saw the reopening of windows and doors, breathing new life into the historic structure.

In 2012, both houses 27 and 29 were sold by the last owner from the Lang family of brush binders. By 2020, extensive renovations had been completed, merging the two houses into one cohesive unit while retaining the appearance of separate buildings on the facade.