How did they build houses so close together?

By sharing the side walls, the cost of construction was almost halved. Effectively, one standalone structure was being subdivided. Other things were shared, like front and back doors, and even privies. (In some poor English cities, there was a more extreme form of terracing, in which the back walls were shared too.)

Why are old houses so close together?

Since these homesteads were organized around sustaining a working farm rather than a country estate, it makes much more sense for the house to be close to the road so that goods can easily be brought onto and off of the property while the rest of the land can be used for farming.

Why are the houses in San Francisco so close together?

San Francisco has always had limited space for homes so it was decided early on that lots would be, on average, 25 feet wide by 50 feet long with no side yards (zero lot lines). It’s a rare home in the City that deviates from this format.

Why do houses face the road?

Depending on whether you live in a cold or hot climate is a determiner of where and when you want the sun to come in, as would the ability to enjoy viewing sunrises or sunsets. The direction the house faces, along with the placement of windows, contributes to a sunny or darker home or one that allows certain views.

How close to a boundary line can I build?

As a rule of thumb, a build that reaches 7.2 feet is considered acceptable and anything over that we do recommend speaking to your neighbour.

How are houses moved?

Moving a house is, in theory, relatively simple. If it is on a pier-and-beam foundation, structural movers slide steel beams under the ground floor to lift it; if the house is on a concrete slab, the mover uses a jackhammer to create tunnels where support beams can be inserted.

Why are north facing homes better?

A north-facing home gets sun at the back of the house and is typically darker and naturally cooler than a south-facing one. In vastu shastra, a traditional Hindu system of architecture, east and north are considered to be of great importance for prosperity and health.